EASTERN MADERA HAPPENINGS

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.

Caring Veterans raffle

Caring Veterans of America – Oakhurst will hold their Henry Firearms Raffle Drawing on Sunday, April 12 at Tractor Supply in Oakhurst starting at 3 p.m. The event includes a party with free food and music by The Usual Riff Raff for Veterans Helping Veterans. For more contact Paula Spear or Terry Cole.

Fermentation class

UC Master Food Preservers invite the community to a Fermentation Class: Sauerkraut, sourdough bread and yogurt. The class is on Friday, April 17 from 2-5 p.m. at Sierra Senior Center (49111 Cinder Lane) in Oakhurst. The cost is $20 per person and registration is required. Contact Barbara at (559) 448-7178 for more information or to register.

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.

Earth Day celebration

North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians invites the community to Earth Day 2026, an afternoon of community, culture and care for the Earth on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Gaylen Lee Heritage Center (57906 Old Mill Site Ct.) in North Fork. Come out for a free lunch, live entertainment, culture and eco-friendly demos, community outreach, incentives and free shredding.

A Grand Night for the Arts

Join the nonprofit youth arts organization Vision Academy for a scholarship fundraiser, A Grand Night for the Arts, on Saturday, April 18 at Sierra Meadows (46516 Opah Drive) in Ahwahnee at 6 p.m. The evening will feature scholarship applicant demonstrations, live music, dinner and a silent auction plus a no-host bar. Tickets are $75 each at www.eventbrite.com/e/a-grand-night-for-the-arts-tickets-1983585471542.

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.

Preparing for fire season

Join UC Master Gardeners on Friday, April 24 at Sierra Senior Center (9111 Cinder Lane) in Oakhurst as the UC Fire Advisor for Madera, Mariposa and Fresno Counties speaks. Alisoson Deak focused on improving wildfire resilience and community preparedness. The event will include practical solutions to reduce wildfire risk. For questions or to be added to the email list call (559) 365-6342 or email graceacres@sti.net.

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.

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 April 25, 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 April 25 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact organizers at (559) 683-7911.

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.

Oakhurst Area Chamber Celebration

The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Installation Celebration and dinner on Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pavilion Room at Oakhurst Community Center. The evening will include with music and recognition of committee members and 2026 Board of Directors. The cost for members is $40 and nonmembers $50. www.oakhurstchamber.com.