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In The City

River Walk's new playground is officially open!

The playground near the parking lot at The Park at River Walk has brand-new equipment for the first time since the park opened more than 20 years ago. The City removed the fencing just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, so families can enjoy it now. The $700,000 project was funded through the Public Safety & Vital Services Measure. Shade structures are expected to be installed next week, so plan accordingly if you're visiting before then.

This comes in perfect time as the event, The US 250 will be happening Friday at Riverwalk! Make sure to check out the fire work show. More info on the show below

New outdoor fitness equipment added at Panorama Bluffs

If it's been a while since you've walked Panorama Bluffs, you'll notice several new outdoor workout stations have been installed along the path. The free equipment includes pull-up bars, rowing, cardio, and strength-training stations, giving walkers another reason to stop and get a quick workout while enjoying one of the best views in Bakersfield.

Nearly 100-year-old downtown church set for demolition

The historic church building at 17th and O streets, most recently home to The River Church, is scheduled to be demolished. Originally built in 1927 as Full Gospel Tabernacle, the building has served multiple congregations over the past century. The River Church, led by Rev. Al Jones since 1995, is now meeting in small groups while searching for a new permanent home.

Community Spotlight

The Arts Council of Kern has launched a new online Artist Directory to help connect local artists with the community. Registration is $20 per year or free for Arts Council of Kern members. If you're a local artist looking for more visibility, now's a great time to get listed.

I think this will be a great tool for artist, and locals and businesses looking for artist!

If you’re an artist and want to be included, go to https://kernarts.org/

Featured Event

Looking for somewhere to celebrate the Fourth of July? The U.S. 250 Festival returns to The Park at River Walk on Friday with a full day of patriotic fun for the whole family.

The free event runs from 10AM–10PM and features live music, food trucks, local vendors, family activities, and Freedom Village, where you'll find colonial reenactors, artisan demonstrations, hands-on history exhibits, and photo opportunities with America's Founding Fathers.

The evening wraps up with one of Bakersfield's biggest fireworks shows over River Walk, making it one of the best places in the city to celebrate Independence Day.

While you're there, be sure to check out the newly renovated playground near the parking lot. The playground reopened this week with brand-new equipment for the first time since the park opened more than 20 years ago, making it an even better destination for families.

The Park at River Walk
Friday, July 3 • 10AM–10PM
Free Admission

💡 Click the underlined event name for tickets or more info. If it’s highlighted like this, it’s a reoccurring, weekly event.

• Handel's Homemade Ice Cream Grand Opening @ Bakersfield South (11AM) Celebrate the grand opening of Handel's newest Bakersfield location with opening day festivities.
• Weekday Market Bakersfield @ 1718 17th St. (4PM–9PM) Rescheduled community market featuring vintage clothing, food, drinks, handcrafted goods, collectibles, and local vendors.
• Chess Club @ Temblor Brewing (5PM) Weekly community chess meetup open to casual and competitive players.
• Cruise Night @ Chuy's Baja Grill (6PM) Weekly community car show featuring classic cars, DJs, food, and drinks.
• Free Open Mic Comedy Night @ The Well Comedy Club (Sign-ups 6PM / Show 7PM) Weekly comedy open mic welcoming new and experienced comics.
• Harry Styles Night @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (Doors 7PM) Harry Styles-themed karaoke party featuring themed drinks, a photobooth, karaoke, and a $10 cover.
• Concerts at The Marketplace: South 40 @ The Marketplace (7PM–9PM) Free outdoor concert featuring Bakersfield's own South 40 performing country and Southern rock.
• Live Music w/ The Lounge Guy @ Wine Me Up (7PM–9PM) Relax with live music in the tasting lounge during this evening performance.
• The Real Thing @ The Underground at The Ovation Theatre (8PM) Opening night of the stage production running through July 12.

• Open Interviews for line cooks @ The BLVD (8AM–11AM) Second day of interviews for experienced line cooks.
• U.S. 250 Festival in the Park @ The Park at River Walk (10AM–10PM) Free patriotic celebration featuring live music, food trucks, vendors, family activities, Freedom Village, and fireworks over River Walk.
• Little Hikers Meetup @ Jastro Spray Park (11AM) Family-friendly meetup hosted by Little Hikers of Bakersfield at the spray park.
• Corey Dain Live @ Chuy's Baja Grill (7PM–11PM) Patriotic country concert with a Best Dressed contest and a chance to win a $100 Chuy's gift card.
• Mythical Beauty Paint Night @ Corks & Strokes (7PM–9PM) Guided paint-and-sip workshop creating the "Mythical Beauty" artwork.
• Flashback @ Rustic Rail Saloon (8PM–11PM) Live music, no cover, drink specials, and dancing.
• The Real Thing @ The Underground at The Ovation Theatre (8PM) 2nd night of the stage production running through July 12.
• Red, White & 90s Bingo Party @ Bootleggers Craft Pub & Eatery East (Check-in 8PM / Bingo 8:30PM) Interactive 90s music bingo featuring costume contests, dancing, and prizes.
• Bike Jam Fireworks Meetup @ Aera Park (Bike Jam 8:30PM / Fireworks 9:30PM) Community bike meetup for one of the best views of the River Walk fireworks.

• Girls Run B: 4th of July Run @ Hart Park (6:15AM) Community run with 2.5-mile and 7.4-mile routes. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue.
• F Street Farmers Market @ In Your Wildest Dreams Parking Lot (7:45AM–12PM) Weekly farmers market featuring produce, baked goods, and local vendors.
• Harvest Helpers Volunteer Day @ Fortitude Community Farm School (8AM–12PM) Volunteer opportunity supporting the community farm through Blue Zones Project Bakersfield.
• The American 250 @ Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway (Gates 4PM / Main Events 7PM) Independence Day celebration featuring NASCAR racing, Drag-A-Boat Demolition Race, family entertainment, and a professional fireworks spectacular.

• Saunders Park Cleanup & Homeless Initiative @ Saunders Park (10AM–12PM) Community cleanup providing hot meals and complimentary haircuts while helping beautify the park.
• Brentwood @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (Doors 11:30AM) Free solo acoustic performance during Sunday afternoon. No cover.
• The Real Thing @ The Underground at The Ovation Theatre (8PM) Last performance of the weekend.

• Motown Mondays w/ Kev King @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (6PM–10PM) Weekly Motown night featuring live music and dancing.
• Bingo & Beer @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly community bingo night.
• Dungeons & Dragons Meetup @ Bakersfield Esports Center (7PM) Weekly tabletop gaming meetup welcoming new and experienced players.

• Bakersfield Jazz Workshop @ Centro Cali Brewing (6:30PM–9:30PM) Weekly live jazz session in its new downtown home featuring food, drinks, and an open jam atmosphere.
• Pub Trivia @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly trivia night testing knowledge across multiple categories.

• July Volunteer Days: Canyon Watering @ Wind Wolves Preserve (8AM–11:30AM) Volunteer opportunity helping restore habitat by watering newly planted shrubs. Reservations required.
• Kids Weekly Art Classes @ Art with Heart (4PM–5PM & 5:30PM–6:30PM) Weekly youth art classes taught by professional artists with all supplies included.
• Family Game Night @ Temblor Brewing (4PM) Weekly family-friendly board game meetup.
• Cornhole Tournament @ Temblor Brewing (5:30PM) Weekly community cornhole tournament.
• Western Wednesdays @ Fairfax Grange (Doors 5:40PM / Dance Lessons 6PM) Weekly western dance night featuring two-step instruction and dance fundamentals.
• Bingo Night @ BarrelHouse Bakersfield (6PM) Weekly free-to-play bingo night.
• MixxedFit Dance Fitness Class @ My Dance & Fitness Studio (7PM–8PM) High-energy dance fitness class led by Frank.
• Emo Karaoke @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (7PM–Midnight) Weekly emo and pop-punk karaoke night.
• Bingo Night + Live Music w/ Vince Galindo @ Rooster's Honky Tonk (8PM) Weekly bingo night paired with live country music.

Let’s all have a happy and safe 4th of July guys! Thank you

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