EASTERN MADERA HAPPENINGS

Opening Day at Bass Lake

Miller’s Landing Resort and The Forks Resort on the south shore of Bass Lake open for the season on Friday, March 27.

Basics of composting and worms

UC Master Gardener Randy Thomson will teach participants about the basics of composting and worms at Sierra Senior Center (49111 Cinder Lane) in Oakhurst on Friday, March 27 from 1-2 p.m. The workshop is open to the public and free of charge. For more information visit Madera Master Gardeners on Facebook or visit link.ucanr.edu/maderamg.

International Cuisine

Sierra Senior Center invites the community to “A Taste of International Cuisine,” on Friday, March 27 from 6-8 p.m. Dishes will be inspired by friends’ and members’ heritage, culture or place that’s meaningful to them including Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Sweden, Mexico and Germany. Attendees can sample tastes from each table and experience flavors from around the world. Visit www.sierraseniorcenter.com for more info. The cost is $25 per person or $40/couple.

All you can eat breakfast

The Coarsegold Community Center (35610 Highway 41) in Coarsegold offers an All You Can Eat breakfast on the last Saturday of the month including March 28, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For $10 guests may choose pancakes, blueberry pancakes or biscuits and gravy with eggs, bacon or sausage and coffee or orange juice.

Veterans and first responders BBQ

The Grove Foursquare Church (42461 Highway 49) in Ahwahnee will host a free barbecue lunch on the last Saturday of each month for all veterans, first responders and their families including March 28 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact organizers at (559) 683-7911.

Kids’ Day at Bass Lake

The Pines Resort (54432 Road 432) at Bass Lake invites the community to its 3rd Annual Kids’ Day at Bass Lake on Saturday, March 28 from noon to 3 p.m. – a special event packed with exciting activities like Touch a Truck, games and entertainment for the whole family. Kids can explore big rigs, emergency vehicles and more. It’s a free community event designed to bring families together for a day of joy and laughter at the lake. Families with special needs please note that from noon to 1 p.m. it’s a sensory-friendly hour with reduced noise, flashing lights and extra time for interaction.

Definitely Dead tribute band

The dynamic Definitely Dead tribute band for the Grateful Dead invites the community to dance, spin and celebrate the spirit of the music and the legacy of the originals on March 28 at the Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Road 425B) at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 per person. Visit www.tickets.definitelydead.com for more.

Caring Veterans Oakhurst

Local group Caring Veterans of America meets on the first Tuesday of every month includingApril2at8a.m.forbreakfastanda9a.m.meetingatMountainOaksCafe (40282 Highway 41) in Oakhurst. Veterans and military supporters are welcome. For more information visit the Facebook group Caring Veterans of America – Oakhurst.

Food distribution in Raymond

The Central California Food Bank will distribute food to the community on a first come, first served basis on the first Tuesday of every month including April 2 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Footman Park (34992 Road 606) in Raymond at the corner of Roads 600 and 606. For more information contact CCFB at (559) 237-3663.

FOBL Library book sale

Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library (FOBL) will host book sales on seven Saturdays in 2026 at the library located at 49044 Civic Circle in Oakhurst: April 4 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.), June 6 $10/bag (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.), Aug. 1 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.), Oct. 3 Sierra Art Trails Art & Craft Book Sale (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.), Nov. 7 Special Holiday Sale (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and Dec. 5 $10/bag (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

Madera County Food Bank

The Madera County Food Bank distributes free food at the Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Road 425B in Oakhurst) usually on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon including April 9. For more information contact Mary Bowman at (559) 676-5637.

Clutter clearance sale

Bryant’s Ace Hardware (40596 Westlake Drive) in Oakhurst will hold its annual clutter clearance community parking lot sale on Saturday, April 18 beginning at 7 a.m. Spaces are free. Contact the store for more information.

Raymond Parade

Hosted by the Raymond Community Association, the 38th annual Raymond Parade will steps off at noon on Saturday, April 18. Participants are being sought. The craft fair will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available now for the raffle drawing at Raymond Museum at 3 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, live music and great family fun. For more information email rca93653@gmail.com. Entry fees fund scholarships for high school students.

Brown Bag Program

Madera County Food Bank and Sierra Senior Center offer the Brown Bag Program for a cost of $60 per year with funds going toward program expenses. There is no restriction on monthly income to qualify. Nutritious groceries will be distributed on April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. To register or for more information contact Michelle Gallardo at the food bank at (559) 674-1482.

Au Naturale: figurative art exhibit

Yosemite Sierra Artists invites the community to an artist reception for the Au Naturale: Nudes Exhibit at the Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits (40300 Greenwood Way) in Oakhurst on Saturday, April 25 from 3-5 p.m. It’s an afternoon celebrating artists, conversation and the beauty of the human form. For more information visit www.yosemitesierraartists.org.

Animal Disaster Team training

The Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) will offer a volunteer orientation on Saturday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eastern Madera County SPCA (43180 Highway 49) in Ahwahnee. Must be 18+ with background check required. For more information and to register visit www.ccadt.org.

Supervisors candidate forum

The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC) announced it will host a Madera County District 5 Candidate Forum at the Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Road 425B) on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Candidates including Charles “Brook” Allen, Melanie “Mel” Barker, Frank Bigelow and Mark S. Reed, Sr. are expected. Wade Wheeler will moderate. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions before the discussions begin. For more information visit www.oakhurstchamber.com and www.votemadera.com.

EMC News tip?Contact Kellie Flanagan at kellie@mariposagazette.com