Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2026

2026 Scenic 395 39 There in Circle Park you will also find the works of local artisans from the Kern River Valley Art Association’s (KRVAA’s) Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival and their Me- morial Day Arts &Crafts Festival. The Second Saturday of every month, June through September, visit Kernville Chamber’s Saturday in the Park, with live music, vendors, and food in Circle Park. Those of you who like to explore cemeteries may want to take a jaunt through the local Historical Cemetery on your way intoWofford Heights and visit the graves of local found- ers. The historical society also gives tours duringWhiskey Flat Days weekend. If that’s not enough, come enjoy some art classes at the Art and Community Cen- ter that the KRVAA built in Wofford Heights. Within the center is an art gallery with monthly receptions for themed showings. The KRVAA also has a coffee shop at the Station and an industrial arts center, “Alchemy.” Visit gift, book, and souvenir shops in the quaint town of Wofford Heights that includes a tattoo artist, and an oddity shop. The French Gulch is anoth- er place to begin or end a day of vigorous activity with jet skiing, water skiing, and wind surfing. It is located in a cove along Lake Isabella’s west shore, just above the dam. The marina has about 100 slips and rents pontoon boats, kayaks and fishing boats. It also has a general store with bait, tackle, snacks, beverages, and ice, also offering oil and gas. Farther down Highway 155, Keysville is a historic mining area of interest to history buffs, with an array of recreational opportunities. The setting, which the lower Kern River divides, has rolling terrain and pines. During exploration one can see the famousWalk- er Cabin, a variety of mining structures, and a historic fort. Keysville offers white-water rafting, fishing, gold panning, and dispersed camping. Far- reaching trails provide eques- trian paths, mountain biking, andmotorized recreation uses. With that, your trip around Lake Isabella is complete. Continued from Page 24 Isabella man’s SweaterWeather Get Together. Whiskey Flat Days Whiskey Flat Days takes its name fromKernville’s origi- nal Gold Rush-era nickname, when the town served as a rough supply stop for min- ers working the Kern River. Saloons, boarding houses, and trading posts once lined the settlement, giving rise to the name that still defines the festival today. The modern celebration grew out of an effort to pre- serve that history as Kernville changed, particularly after the original townsite was sub- merged by the creation of Lake Isabella in the 1950s. Commu- nity members usedWhiskey Flat Days to keep the town’s frontier identity visible as the valley evolved. Held over Presidents’ Day weekend, the multi-day event now fills Kernville with reenac- tors, live music, carnival rides, food and craft vendors, and a full parade. TheWildWest Daze Rodeo at the McNal- ly Rodeo Arena anchors the weekend with bull riding, bar- rel racing, roping, and youth events. Longtime organizer Gary Ananian has said in past that Whiskey Flat Days was never meant to be just a show for visitors. He has described the event to honor Kernville’s history while keeping families and longtime residents at the center of the celebration. Over the decades, Whiskey Flat Days has grown into one of the region’s longest-run- ning annual festivals, drawing crowds that often include both first-time visitors and locals who plan their year around the weekend. White Water Wednesday As snowmelt feeds the Kern River, rafting season follows. WhiteWaterWednesday adds a social element to the sum- mer schedule, bringing rafters together midweek for group outings. Local outfitters often offer guided trips and spe- cial pricing, making the river more accessible to newcomers while still drawing experienced boaters. The event has become part of the seasonal rhythm, with trips ending in shared stories along the riverbank rather than a quick drive out of town. Kernville Summer Festival From June through Sep- tember, Circle Park hosts the Kernville Summer Festival on the second Saturday of each month. Local vendors sell handmade goods, produce, honey, woodworking, and other crafts. Live music plays throughout the day while fami- lies move between the park and the river. Stone has previously de- scribed the summer festivals as an opportunity for people to slow down and enjoy Kernville at a local pace, with events designed to feel approachable, not crowded or commercial. Cowkids Rodeo Camp Kernville also makes room for younger generations through Cowkids Rodeo Camp, a three-day program for children ages 4 to 9. Campers learn basic riding, grooming, and animal care, along with light-hearted rodeo activities such as mutton busting and stick horse events. The camp emphasizes con- fidence and hands-on learning while passing down western traditions that remain part of Kernville’s identity. Fall Festival As temperatures cool, the Kernville Fall Festival marks the seasonal shift. Typically held in late October, the event brings pumpkin patches, pet- ting zoos, costume contests, pie-eating competitions, and family activities back to Circle Park. It serves as the final major community gathering before winter and closes out the outdoor festival season. Year-Round Recreation and Community Gatherings Outside scheduled events, Kernville stays active year- round. Residents and visitors use the surrounding trails, organize fishing outings, meet up for paddling days, and gather informally along the river. Spontaneous floats, weekend barbecues, and small downtown events fill the gaps between festivals and keep the town’s pace steady. Fromwinter mornings in Circle Park to summer eve- nings along the Kern River and rodeo weekends in February, Kernville continues to offer a mix of tradition, recreation, and everyday community life that does not depend on a sin- gle season. For a full calendar of events and updated details, visit www.explorekernville. com. Continued from Page 25 Kernville