Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2019/2020

2019-2020 Scenic 395 16 Ridgecrest The Only Full Service Hotel in Ridgecrest • Full Restaurant & Bar Happy Hours • Banquets Sunday Brunch Charlie’s & Roxanne’s Cafe 901 N. China Lake Blvd. Ridgecrest, CA 93555 760-446-7910 www.choicehotels.com/california/ridgecrest/ clarion-hotels/cad82? T he Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival will return for a fifth year this fall, running Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. The festival will take place almost entirely at Petroglyph Park. “We have this beautiful park in the heart of Ridgecrest that supports the education and appreciation of the petroglyphs, and it just seemed like the natural location for the festi- val,” said festival chairwoman and Maturango Museum director Debbie Benson leading up to the 2016 festival. Petroglyph Park opened in conjunction with the inaugural Petroglyph Festival in 2014, and features rock art reminiscent of the petroglyphs seen in their natural sites. Those sites are located within the boundaries of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, which restricts access. There will be Native American film screen- ings at the Historic USO Building on West Ridgecrest Boulevard. Otherwise, the events will take place at the park. The festival will honor Native American Heritage month with a collection of perform- ances and music that inspires and gives rever- ence to Native American culture and history. Native American Heritage Month was de- clared by President Bush in 1990, and you’re invited to honor the heritage and contribu- tions the Native Americans and how their cul- ture is evident in many ways of American life. Native American month honors Native Amer- ican wisdom and culture and gives everyone a chance to explore the rich cultural and tradi- tions of Native Americans throughout the re- gion. The community at large is invited to ob- serve Native American traditions to celebrate its past and honor the culture that has been an integral part of the region. Continuing this year are bus tours to Little Petroglyph Canyon, Native American film screenings, and an expanded program of STEM education sponsored by the Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Sierra Sands Unified School District. A spot on a Little Petroglyph Canyon tour can be reserved via the Maturango Museum, www.maturango.org . Among Saturday’s events are a family fun zone, wild burros from Bureau of Land Man- agement land available for children to feed, live perform The tours, street fair and Native American performances are currently sched- uled to run both days. For more information, visit the festival website at www.rpfestival.com . Petroglyph Festival marks 6th year JACK BARNWELL/REPRINTED BY PERMISSION OF THE DAILY INDEPENDENT A scene from a previous Petroglyph Festival. This year’s is set for Nov. 2 and 3, 2019.