Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

On Aug. 1t, Kern County’s past will come to life on the big screen in a way that it never has before, in a must see event at the majestic Fox Theater in Bakersfield. Two new films about Kern County’s rich history will premier at the Fox as part of a gala fund raising event for the Lopez Hill House preservation project. The event’s sponsors hope this will be a landmark event for Kern County. “I am really excited because I think it’s a throwback,” said Jeff Nickell, Assistant Director of the Kern County Museum, “We’re going to do a premier like it would have been in Hollywood’s heyday.”

The films being shown are “The House With Three Lives,” about the history of J.J. Lopez, Majordomo of Tejon Ranch and the home he built in 1909 , now residing at the Kern County Museum’s Pioneer Village in Bakersfield, and “Wild West Country – Episode One – The Lure of Gold,” which tells the true, wild west stories of Kern County’s rugged Southern Sierras. “The close cooperation between the KRV Historical Society, Kern County Museum, and Fox Theater Foundation are what make this unique event possible,” said Chuck Barbee, producer of the two films being shown, “The idea for this specific fundraiser originated with the Kern River Valley Historical Society, but without the support and commitment of Jeff Nickell, Assistant Director of the Kern County Museum and Heather Fowler of the Museum Foundation, it probably wouldn’t have materialized.” The event is being presented by the Kern River Valley Historical Society, the Kern County Museum, and the Fox Theater Foundation. All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the Lopez Hill House, which needs $200,000-$300,000 in renovations. The house is already on museum grounds at the entrance of Pioneer Village, directly across from the Howell House. “It’s going to be magnificent when it’s finished,” said Nickell.

In addition to the films, the event will feature personal appearances, in period dress, by many of the Old West reenactors – Cowboys and Indians – who appear in “Wild West Country.” The Stagecoach, team and drivers featured in the film will also be on hand, and people will have the opportunity sit in the real, old-west stagecoach. Posters and paintings will be available for auction, as well. Other featured guests will include members of the Lopez, Coppock, Hill, Rankin and Powers families

The Bakersfield community has been very supportive of this endeavor, particularly the Fox Theater, who generously agreed to host the event at no cost. The media has been equally helpful, by airing Barbee’s PSA on the local television stations and running print media ads. In addition, Sylvia Cariker at KUZZ produced a PSA for radio with the help of Nickell, and sent it to all of the radio stations in Kern County.

For more information, go to www.kcmuseum.org. Tickets are available through Vallitix.com or call 661-322-5200. The event starts at 6:30 with outside activities, and the movie starts at 7:30.

Don’t miss this rare event at the Fox Theater on Aug. 1..