Bakersfield History

Most of us have driven past it without thinking twice. That old building sitting on Baker Street next to the train tracks. But the Sumner Train Depot is more than just a building, it is one of the oldest surviving landmarks in Bakersfield, and right now its future is hanging in the balance.

The City of Bakersfield currently holds a lease with Union Pacific Railroad that is protecting the depot from demolition. That lease expires in June. The city council needs to decide whether to renew it, and that decision needs to happen before May. If they walk away, Union Pacific is under no obligation to keep it standing.

We've seen this before. The Santa Fe Station once stood proudly in downtown Bakersfield. In 1972 it was torn down and replaced with a parking lot. That mistake cannot be repeated.

Community advocate Robert O'Donley has been working directly with Ward 2 Councilman Andrae Gonzales to push for a solution. Now they need the community behind them.

Want the full story? Watch the video on my Instagram and TikTok pages.

Ready to take action? Email the Bakersfield City Council directly at [email protected] and let them know you want Sumner Station saved. Want a ready to send template? Email me or message me on social and I'll send it right to you.

This one matters. Let's show up for Bakersfield.

Pet of the Week

Our first Pet of the Week goes to a pup who was already a community staple before this segment even existed.

Bane was Mikey's fur child, a bulldog known for being protective, goofy, and a legendary snorer. He carried Mikey through some tough times, and Mikey made sure the community knew just how special he was.

We're honored to give him the first spot.

Want your pet featured? Email [email protected] with their name, breed, and a fun detail or two!

Quick note! I think just about everything is right, but a few things were off by date or time when I went for my final draft, so make sure to double check days and times for events by hitting the link!

💡 Click the underlined event name for tickets or more info.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

• Board Game Moai @ The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM) Community board game meetup open to anyone interested in casual tabletop games and conversation.
• First Friday ArtWalk Cutting Edge Closing Ceremony @ 1020 18th St (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Final night celebration of the Cutting Edge exhibition featuring art, vendors, and the monthly downtown ArtWalk experience.
• Bakersfield Art Association First Friday Artist Reception @ Bakersfield Art Association (6 PM-8PM) 1607 19th St. Monthly reception showcasing new artwork from local artists.
• Bibles & Bulls Practice Night @ Funny Farm Arena (6:00 PM) Open bull riding practice where spectators can watch riders train in the arena.
• Walter Trout Live @ World Records (Doors 6:00 PM · Show 7:30 PM) Legendary blues guitarist performs a special live show at the downtown record shop venue.
• CSUB vs Fresno Pacific — Free Runner Gold Beer Night @ Hardt Field (6:30 PM) CSUB basketball matchup with promotional beer specials during the game.
• BC / CSUB Orchestra Concert @ Edward Simonsen Indoor Theater (7:00 PM) Joint orchestral performance featuring musicians from Bakersfield College and CSU Bakersfield.
• Emo Night w/ Reissued Band & DJ D Cross @ Chuy’s Baja Grill (7:00 PM) Live emo and alternative music throwback night.
• Sam Tripoli & Eddie Bravo Live @ The Well Comedy Club (7:00 PM) Comedy and conversation from comedian Sam Tripoli and jiu-jitsu icon Eddie Bravo.
• Lighthouse at Sunrise Paint Night @ Corks & Strokes (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Guided paint-and-sip class creating a lighthouse themed artwork.
• Friday Night Social Dance @ Fairfax Grange (7:00 PM) Community dance night featuring two-step and social dancing.
• nX Annex After Hours Art Moai @ nX Annex Gallery (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM) Casual art meetup and creative discussion inside the downtown gallery.
• Banda Mambo Mash-Up Night @ Legends Event Center (Doors 7:30 PM) Latin dance night featuring banda and regional Mexican music.
• Devotion 661 @ Jerry’s Pizza (8:00 PM) Local band performing live at the downtown music venue.
• The Expendables @ The Nile Theater (8:00 PM) Reggae-rock band brings their national tour to Bakersfield.
• The Nightlife Band @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) Live country and rock covers for a night of dancing.
• Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet @ Famoso Dragstrip (All Day) Major drag racing event featuring top racers and high-speed competition all weekend.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

• Girls Run Bakersfield. International Women’s Day 5K @ Kern River Parkway (8:00 AM) Community run celebrating International Women’s Day along the Kern River trail.
• Harvest Helpers Volunteer Day @ Fortitude Community Farm School (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Volunteers help with planting, harvesting, and farm projects supporting local agriculture education.
• Strike Out Valley Fever Walk @ Riverwalk Park (9:00 AM) Awareness walk raising support for Valley Fever research and education.
• Low-Cost Dog Vaccination Clinic @ Bakersfield Animal Care Center (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Affordable vaccinations for dogs offered to local pet owners.
• Arbor Day Tree Planting Volunteer Event @ Beale Park (9:00 AM) Community volunteers plant trees to celebrate Arbor Day.
• Morning Frequencia @ Fredo’s Downtown (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM) Daytime house music event featuring DJs and a relaxed brunch atmosphere.
• RETROBAM Toy Show @ 1718 17th St (10:00 AM) Vendor show featuring vintage toys, collectibles, and retro memorabilia.
• Mercado Cristiano Light Market, Faith based market @ BFC (10:00 AM) Community vendor market with crafts, food, and local small businesses.
• Bako Market @ Centennial Plaza (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Outdoor market featuring local vendors, handmade goods, and food trucks.
• East Bakersfield Canvassing Kick-Off @ University Park (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM) Community outreach event encouraging neighborhood engagement.
• Wildflower Guided Hike @ Wind Wolves Preserve (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Guided nature walk exploring seasonal wildflowers and local wildlife.
• Puppies & Pilates @ location shared after purchase (10:30 AM) Fitness class combining pilates exercises with adoptable puppies.
• Hands-On STEM Activities for Kids @ 2018 Chester Ave (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM) Interactive science program where kids make slime while learning simple chemistry concepts.
• Family Day @ Buena Vista Museum of Natural History (All Day) Family programming and educational activities throughout the museum.
• Camellia Show. Public Viewing @ Bakersfield Racquet Club (1:00 PM) Annual flower show displaying dozens of camellia varieties.
• Paws & Prosecco Designer Handbag Bingo @ Seven Oaks Country Club (1:30 PM) Charity bingo event featuring designer handbag prizes.
• Devyn Brinsfield Live Music @ TL Wines (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) Afternoon acoustic performance during wine tasting hours.
• Box o’ Daisies Paint Class @ Corks & Strokes (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM) Guided painting class creating a floral themed artwork.
• NBA 2K26 Tournament @ Bakersfield Esports Center (3:00 PM) Competitive gaming tournament featuring the basketball video game.
• Self Defense Moai @ 1201 24th St (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM) Community meetup focused on personal safety and self-defense techniques.
• Southwest Night Market @ Independence High School Parking Lot (5:00 PM) Evening market featuring vendors, food trucks, and music.
• Revive the Runway: Flora & Fauna @ World Records (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Upcycled fashion show celebrating sustainable clothing designs inspired by nature.
• Kris Tiner / Lauren Baba / Lisa Mezzacappa @ Dagny’s Coffee Co (6:00 PM) Experimental jazz trio performance.
• The Hideout Bakersfield Rooftop Takeover ft. DEM2 & SWAVÉ @ Padre Hotel Rooftop (6:00 PM) Rooftop DJ event featuring house and electronic music with support from multiple DJs.
• Scottish Mooood Paint Night @ Corks & Strokes (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) Guided painting class with a Scottish landscape theme.
• Jessimae Peluso Comedy Show @ The Well Comedy Club (7:00 PM & 9:30 PM) National touring comedian performs two stand-up sets.
• Kyle Smith Live Music @ Temblor Brewing Company (7:00 PM) Live reggae-rock performance at the brewery.
• Corey Dain Band @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) Country and rock covers for a night of dancing.
• Meet & Greet with Jesse Borrego @ Chuy’s Baja Grill (8:00 PM) Actor known for Blood In Blood Out meets fans.
• #TBT 2016 Dance Night @ Jerry’s Pizza (9:00 PM) Throwback dance party featuring hits from the mid-2010s.
• Trey Songz w/ DJ Awall @ Club 1200 Lounge (Doors 9:00 PM) R&B superstar Trey Songz headlines a late-night club show.
• Jessimae Peluso Comedy Show @ The Well Comedy Club (7:00 PM & 9:30 PM) National touring comedian performs two stand-up sets.
• Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet @ Famoso Dragstrip (All Day) Weekend drag racing event continuing with competition and qualifying runs.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

• Bakolandia Hello Spring Market @ Tractor Supply (9AM-2PM) Vendor market celebrating the start of spring with local crafts and food vendors.
• Camellia Show @ Bakersfield Racquet Club (10:00 AM) Second day of public viewing for the annual camellia flower show.
• Community Market @ Rio Bravo Ranch (10AM-2PM) Outdoor market featuring food vendors and handmade goods.
• Fatherhood Collective Meet + Walk @ River Walk Park (10:00 AM) Meetup for fathers and families featuring a casual walk through the park.
• Junk Journaling Moai @ In Your Wildest Dreams Consignments (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Creative journaling meetup focused on collage and scrap art.
• R&B Sundaze @ BottleShock Wine & Brew (11AM-3pm) Sunday brunch-style event with R&B music and drinks. LA street dog and tacos will be available
• Live Music Brunch. Ron Houston @ Jerry’s Pizza Basement Bar (11:30 AM) Relaxed brunch with live acoustic music.
• Rigid Bike Classic. Bike Swap Meet @ 2305 Alta Vista Dr (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM) bcycle gathering featuring vendors and classic bikes. No vendor fees. Take something to sell or go buy.
• 32nd Annual Christian Youth Film Festival @ Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater (3:00 PM) Showcase of short films created by young filmmakers.
• Mystical Mushroom Paint Class @ Corks & Strokes (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM) Guided painting class creating a whimsical mushroom scene.
• Guilty Gear Strive Tournament @ Bakersfield Esports Center (5:00 PM) Competitive fighting game tournament.
• Hearts N Crafts (Moms N Minis) @ 205 E 18th St (5:00 PM) Crafting event designed for moms and kids to create projects together.
• Exploits and More @ Jerry’s Pizza (Doors 6:00 PM · Music 7:00 PM) Punk and alternative bands perform live.
• Tower Rats w/ The New Revenge & Tragic Prince @ Temblor Brewing Company (7:00 PM) Local rock bands performing live.
• Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet @ Famoso Dragstrip (All Day) Final day of the major drag racing event.

MONDAY, MARCH 9

• Detentions Deputy Recruitment & Testing Event @ Beale Memorial Library (11:00 AM) Hiring event for those interested in joining the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
• Plushie Taxidermy Craft Night @ Jerry’s Pizza (6:00 PM) Creative craft meetup turning stuffed animals into humorous art pieces.
• Tatsuya Nakatani Solo Percussion @ Dagny’s Coffee Co (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) Experimental percussion performance using unique instruments.
• Tow’rs w/ Frail Talk @ The Basement at Woolworth’s (Doors 6:00 PM · Show 7:00 PM) Indie folk concert in the historic basement venue.
• Cults & Classics: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes @ Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater (7:00 PM) Screening of the classic Marilyn Monroe musical.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

• Peony Arts Sip & Paint @ BottleShock Wine & Brew (6:30 PM) Relaxed painting night with wine and guided instruction.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

• Bakersfield Job Fest @ Dignity Health Convention Center (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Job fair connecting employers with local job seekers.
• Weekday Market @ 1100 18th St (11:00 AM) Midweek vendor market featuring food and small businesses.
• Walking Moai @ The Park at River Walk (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM) Community walking group encouraging movement and social connection.
• Wisecracking Comedy Night @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) Stand-up comedy night featuring local comedians.
• MicroMania Midget Wrestling Tour @ Legends Event Center (Doors 6:00 PM · Show 7:00 PM) Touring wrestling entertainment show.
• Vince Galindo Live Music @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) Live country music performance.

Sorry it’s so late

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The Bakersfield Guy

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