Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

Kernville Chamber of Commerce hosted A Taste of Kernville after their monthly general meeting on Monday, Mar. 23, at the Oddfellows Hall, where 44 restaurants, organizations, and vendors set up tables to show local citizens what they have to offer.

The Oddfellows Hall was packed with more than 150 people who had come to sample the delicious food provided by a variety of Kern Valley restaurants and learn about the goods and services that they can find locally. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to know some of the services and businesses that are right in their backyards in cooperation with the upcoming ‘Think Local First’ presentation this weekend,” said Kernville Chamber board member Jeanette Rogers, “The Kernville Chamber wanted to promote the businesses and services that serve our community year round.” Some of those businesses included The Drugstore, All About Travel, Farmers Insurance, Sierra South, Kernville Golf Course, Edward Jones Investments, and the Career Services Center. The Lodge at Painted Rock, a relatively new business to the Kern Valley, had a digital photo frame with a slideshow of pictures of a wedding at their Keysville location, and clothing store Lore’s Loft had a display of some of the fashions that the store offers, as well as a notice that the boutique will be moving from its location in the back room of Kernville Antiques to the former location of the Pet Store at 6 Tobias Road in Circle Park on May 1. Filmmaker Chuck Barbee was also on hand selling his DVDs which focus on local history, as well as beautifully framed still shots from his many films and other western photography that he has done.

Non-profit organizations of the Kern Valley were also represented, including Living Green in the Kern Valley, whose volunteers were promoting their upcoming festival which will occur this weekend, and Little Hearts Matter, a local group that raises money to help find a cure for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, an often fatal congenital heart condition that affects 1 percent of the babies born in the U.S. South Fork Women’s Club were represented promoting their dinner with a Chinese and Silent Auction on May 8 at 5 p.m., as well as their Prayer Breakfast, which will take place on April 20 at 10 a.m. The Kern River Valley Youth Center was represented, publicizing their Saturday afternoon pool tournaments, which will begin March 28 at the center and is open to teens and young adults up to 21. The Rotary Club was also present advertising their Kernville Art Walk, a day of art sponsored by 30 local businesses which will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 9-5 throughout Circle Park and will feature 68 artists from the Kern Valley, Ridgecrest, and the Bakersfield Art Association.

It wouldn’t have been a “taste” of Kernville without delicious food, and the many local restaurants who participated did not disappoint. El Rio served samples of their delicious fare including four types of meats, chimichangas, chips and salsa, rice and beans, and more. Pizza Barn had not only their signature pizza, but also samples of their lasagna, ravioli, and lemon chiffon dessert. “People always think of our pizza, but they forget that we have pastas, as well,” said owner Valerie Alexander.

The Oddfellows had a sample of fancy cheeses and crackers, as well as a variety of wines. Cheryl’s Diner had down-home offerings of barbecue ribs, country beans, and blueberry custard. Big Blue Bear provided coffee while That’s Italian had a sampling of delicious pastries, which were the first things to disappear. Cheyenne’s also served barbecue ribs; River City Deli had fresh-baked bread, which they now offer by the loaf to their customers; Natural Health offered coffee, cookies, and chocolate samples made with honey and organic ingredients; and the wards of Camp Irwin Owen served chili they had made themselves. James’ Sierra Gateway Markets had the most eye-catching booth; a wagon covered with fresh produce. Two store employees offered passers-by chili or clam chowder with fresh bread.

There was entertainment from the Kern Valley Sweet Adelines, who performed several songs, including the two they will perform at their annual regional contest this weekend, and invited any women who liked to sing to join them at one of their practices. The group meets every Thursday night at the Senior Center in Lake Isabella at 7 p.m. Jeanette Rogers also awarded two-year-old Wyatt Johnstone a medal from the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation for walking five laps at the Heart Walk this year, “Next year I’ll walk more,” said the toddler.

Everyone who attended the event left with big smiles and bulging bellies. Many people learned more about the services offered locally, and hopefully will turn to local business first more often instead of immediately assuming they must travel to Bakersfield to have their needs met. “I think this event is great; I like the down-home atmosphere versus the gourmet atmosphere you normally have at these things,” said Kernville resident Bill Stacy.“It was a good chance to meet people from the area.”

To learn more about the businesses and services offered in the Kern Valley, call the Kernville Chamber of Commerce at 376-2629.