Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

The Kernville Chamber of Commerce held their monthly general membership meeting last Monday, Aug. 23, to discuss some new and exciting ideas for the town.

Circle Park Plans One of the biggest topics brought to the meeting was the KCC’s plan to lease Circle Park for five years from Kern County for $100/year plus all maintenance costs. KCC currently pays for the electricity in the park, and will have their insurance policy broadened to include the property. “We feel with our non-profit status we will be able to offer our community greater opportunities to use Circle Park at a lesser or no cost than currently required by our county, and being closer to the property we will be an easier approach for the community to access our offices with requests,” said Sloan, “In the long run we hope this will bring more jobs to our area and more tourism to Kernville while alleviating some cost burdens to our county.”

Some of the ideas for Circle Park include music performances, festivals, and a weekly farmer’s market. KCC plans to hold a series of town hall meetings to get public input before the lease is signed.

Lawnmower Rodeo

Mike Loomer, owner of Cyclesmiths, gave a presentation about the possibility of bringing a Lawnmower Rodeo to Kernville in the winter months to compliment the Glenville lawnmower races that take place during the spring-fall seasons, but close during the winter due to snow. There are three classes of lawnmowers at these races; stock, modified, and unlimited, in which any type of engine that will fit in the lawnmower chasse. The lawnmower rodeos would be held monthly from Oct.-March as a free, family-friendly event held at the John E. McNally Rodeo Grounds, and would add another draw to the Kern Valley at a time when tourism is traditionally low. “It’s the greatest mow on earth!” said Loomer.

Dog Park Coming Soon

The KCC is also planning to turn the area between the Rodeo Grounds and the baseball diamond into a dog park at the request of residents who have been asking for a dog-friendly place to take their four-legged friends. The plan is to landscape the area with grass, trees, rocks, and shrubs. If you are interested in helping, contact the KCC at 760-376-2629.

Sierra Arts and Crafts Festival This Weekend

Kern River Valley Art Association President Jim Davis announced that they will be holding their annual Labor Day Weekend Sierra Arts and Crafts Festival this Friday-Monday at Circle Park. They will be holding an opening wine and cheese reception this Friday, Sept. 3, at the Oddfellows Hall from 5-8 p.m., where they will be displaying entries from their new program, Boots Up for Art. The Boots Up for Art program takes large, ceramic cowboy boots, keeping with the western theme of the Kern Valley, painted with different themes, such as butterflies, quail, thunderbirds, and more. The boots will be sold for $150 each, $250 for a pair, and $250 for a single custom-made boot. They weigh 85 lbs. and can be affixed to the ground. Over 50% of the proceeds will go to art education in our schools. For more information, contact Jim Davis at 760-379-2844, or visit their website at krvaa.org.

The KCC holds their general membership meetings the fourth Monday of each month at their offices in Kernville at 3 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 27, and will be followed by a mixer at the new KV Bike Park at 5 p.m.