East-side pride for annual festival

How do you take a popular community event to even greater heights? For the East Bakersfield Festival, you add a Ferris wheel.

In addition to the kids zone, car show, resource fair, artists and vendors, Saturday's event at Jefferson Park will include the carnival ride from Butler Amusements.

"We've been dreaming of adding the Ferris wheel for many years! We wanted the community in East Bakersfield to have access to something fun that creates a positive memory for those in attendance," Natasha Felkins, event committee co-chair and chairwoman of Children First, which puts on the event, wrote in an email. "Also, it was imperative that we provide this experience for free to ensure that children and families could access something memorable without having to worry about whether it would break the bank!"

Being able to provide this free event is only possible through the support of partners like Kern Health Systems and Adventist Health "who continuously lead efforts and initiatives that elevate our community's health and well-being," Felkins said.

A number of free activities will be available for children including face painting by Outsiders Nation, jump houses, a bike rodeo with Bike Bakersfield, nature day painting and seed planting hosted by Children First and STEM activities by SketchNstudio.

Creativity will be on display with work by three featured artists — Andre Ruiz, Jennifer Beltran and Dan Adriano — all of whom have strong ties to east Bakersfield.

"These individuals were raised in this community and the connection to this event is aligned with their lived experiences on this side of town," Felkins said. "They each submitted some sample artwork and wrote about their love of EB as part of the application process."

In his application, Ruiz said he enjoys building up the east Bakersfield community.

"I want it to be seen as the crown jewel of Bakersfield," he said. "Everyone should want to be here."

Each artist was given an 8-foot-tall freestanding wall (donated by the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters) in advance to create their piece that will be on display.

Beltran, who said she spent a lot of time as a child with her grandparents who lived down the street from Jefferson Park, planned to highlight another form of artistic expression.

"My image will represent the beauty and heart of the Aztec dancers I so often see during events/festivals," she said in her application.

The day will also include dance and musical performances from Ballet Folklorico Mi Pasion and Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli, Ameyaltzin Yolihuani, Infinity, Calpulli Olincan and Grupo Feliz. (See infobox for schedule.)

Felkins said, "We're excited to bring back Grupo Feliz and many of the dance performances from last year. Plus, the addition of DJ Amar1e will keep the smooth tunes flowing throughout the entire event!"

More than 60 community and local artisan vendors will be on site.

Attendees will again have an opportunity to visit vendors of the resource fair and collect stamps in a provided passport. They can turn in a fully stamped book for a chance to win prizes in the raffle.

Up for grabs this year in the raffle are baskets donated by resource vendors and commemorative 2024 festival T-shirts designed by Children First board member and artist Jennifer Williams-Cordova.

Additional fun will be provided by Cruizin Oldies car club, which will host a car show at the park.

Felkins said there will be a "little something for everyone" when it comes to the 15 food vendors, which include Get It Twisted, Krazed Food Truck and Desserts, and Hila's Aguas.

The Children First booth will also provide a free lunch for up to 125 children on a first come, first served basis.

The annual festival is a fundraiser for Children First, which is focused on providing resources to the community to keep children healthy and on the path to success.

Last year's event drew more than 1,200 attendees and Felkins said the team expects to see that many or more on Saturday.

Felkins said the event committee and Children First team want the community to enjoy "a memorable day of family fun in their own neighborhood that helps to remind them of the vibrant history, culture and beauty that exists in East Bakersfield!"

For updates and more information, visit childrenfirstbakersfield.org and @eastbakersfieldfestival on Instagram.