Calendar Of Events

 
AUGUST

Staycation!
Event Date: Everyday in the month of August (excluding special events)
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
For those opting to stay closer to home this summer, the Kern County Museum is offering a free child admission with every adult admission purchase during the month of August. This offer is only available to Kern County residents. Adults should present proof of Kern County residency when purchasing their ticket.

Summer Fun Day: Splish, Splash Safari
Event Date: Thursday, August 14
Hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Learn about water, play in water, slide through water, and generally celebrate this life sustaining fluid we often take for granted.  Don’t forget to wear your bathing suit! Admission of $2 per person includes 6 ride tickets for children 3-12 and a variety of free activities all with a surfing safari theme!  Children under 3 can get in free. Extra ride tickets are 50 cents and a hot dog lunch is available for $3 per person.

Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Summer Social
Event Date: Thursday, August 28
Hours: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Get your weekend off to a great start at the annual business social that’s not to be missed. Live music, great barbeque and socializing are the highlights of this business gathering with a Tropical Tiki theme. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information please contact the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce at 661-327-4421.

SEPTEMBER

Village Fest: Party of the Year (formerly Brews in the Village)
Event Date: Saturday, September 6
Hours: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Experience over 100 different brews from an estimated 60 breweries from across United States and Canada, plus 20 Central Coast wineries with over 70 different wines to choose from! As you walk through Village Fest, you will now experience four (4) different stages of live entertainment (with the addition of our MicroBlues Stage), and we will now have 17 of Bakersfield's and the nation's hottest bands performing throughout the Kern County Museum grounds!  Proceeds from this fundraising event go to benefit Childrens' Advocates Resource Endowment (CARE). Tickets are $60 each. For ticket or sponsorship information go to the Village Fest web site at http://www.bakersfieldbrews.com or phone 661-323-BREW.

Fun In The Sun Car Show
Event Date: Sunday, September 21
Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Vintage LTD Car Club of Bakersfield will hold their 28th annual car show on the museum grounds.  Over 150 pre-1959 cars will be on hand to illustrate what nostalgia is all about. To show a car, contact Barbara Hollett at (661) 832-5841.  Regular museum admission rates apply.

Smithsonian Free Day
Event Date:  Saturday, September 27
Hours:  10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission is free to the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art with Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card.  The card is available in the September issue of Smithsonian magazine or on the Museum Day website at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaycard. Free Howell House tours available throughout the day.  

OCTOBER

Old Time Peddler’s Faire and Harvest Festival
Event Date: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday; Early bird Saturday at 7:00 am
Two hundred vendors will unpack their wares throughout the museum’s 16 acres for the Old Time Peddler’s Faire and Harvest Festival put on by Ace Antiques.  Harvest games, fresh produce and historic displays round out the fun. Early bird admission Saturday at 7:00 am $12. Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Sunday.  General admission $8, children under 8 free with adult.  For vending information call Mark Bianchi at 661-496-3962.

California History Day
Event Date: Thursday, October 16
Hours: 9:00 to 11:30 pm
California History Day supports the 4th-grade student's learning of our state's early history from the days of the first explorers to the early twentieth century.

Living History Day: Frontier Life in Kern County
Event Date: Thursday, October 23
Hours: 9:00 am to 11:30 pm
Step back in time with costumed docents as your students participate in chores and crafts that filled the daily lives of early Kern County residents.

25th Annual Safe Halloween
Event Date: Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31
Hours: 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
For the 25th year, dozens of local businesses and organizations will sponsor trick or treat stops on the grounds of the museum as a fundraiser for the Kern County Museum Foundation.  Other activities include a children’s carnival and entertainment.  Tickets should be purchased in advance as this event is sure to be a sell out.  $8.00 per person.  For more information call 661-852-5020.

NOVEMBER
Opening Reception for Clock Tower Holidays and Visions of Sugarplums Preview
Event Date: Thursday, November 20
Hours: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
The museum’s Main Gallery will be filled with trees and wreaths decorated around the theme of everyone’s favorite treats, sweets, and the festivals, parties and history which surround them!  A festive evening of adult beverages and delicious foods inspired by our theme are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit and satisfy a sweet tooth! Sponsorships are available for $100, individual tickets are $25.00 each.
DECEMBER

Holiday Lamplight Tours
Event Date: Saturday, December 6
Hours: 3:00 to 8:00 pm
Start the holiday season off with an event evoking holiday celebrations of the past. Festive decorations, including over 100 old-fashioned lanterns on the museum grounds and buildings, set the mood for this unique celebration of the holiday season.  Old West encampments and beautifully dressed costumed interpreters set a backdrop for a holiday experience you won’t forget. Strolling minstrels, carolers, bell choirs and much more make this an event not to be missed. Visions of Sugarplums will also be open throughout the evening. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children; members price $5 for adults and $3 for children. Advanced sale tickets are available, and group rates for 20 or more can also be arranged in advance.  Refreshments and carriage rides are an additional fee. 

Cookies at the Clock Tower
Event Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008
Hours: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Enjoy a family day at the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center with plenty of cookies and hot drinks. Visions of Sugar Plums will be the theme for great craft activities for the children. Everyone gets a chance at the raffle prizes, family activities and entertainment including magicians and visits with Santa! Admission is $5.00 for adults and children 3-12. Children under 3 and Museum Members are admitted free.

 

2009

JANUARY

Nearly Wholesale Sale
Event Date:  Friday, January 2 and Saturday, January 3, 2009

Hours:  Friday - 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Saturday - 9:00 am to 4:00pm

Purchase great items from the trees featured in the Visions of Sugarplums holiday exhibit.  Seasonal decor, feathers, garden items, craft items, floral and gift ware will be available at "nearly wholesale prices."  For best selection and free appetizers and wine, visit the sale on Friday night.  The great bargains are becoming a legend.

California History Day
Event Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hours: 9:00 to 11:30 pm
California History Day supports the 4th-grade student's learning of our state's early history from the days of the first explorers to the early twentieth century.

Living History Day: Frontier Life in Kern County
Event Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hours: 9:00 am to 11:30 pm
Step back in time with costumed docents as your students participate in chores and crafts that filled the daily lives of early Kern County residents.

Dates and Times may change. Check back periodically for up-to-date information.
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