EASTERN MADERA HAPPENINGS

Tai Chi

Certified Tai Chi instructor Richard A. Blak invites the community to Tai Chi classes at Sierra Senior Center (49111 Cinder Lane) every Monday and Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. The cost is $10 per class and the focus is to strengthen mind, body and soul.

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.

Coarsegold Rodeo, Heritage Days

The 73rd annual Coarsegold Rodeo is set for Friday and Saturday, May 1-2, at the Rodeo Grounds in Coarsegold. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.coarsegoldrodeogrounds.com. The 34th annual Heritage Days is set for the rodeo grounds on May 1 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and they are seeking educational vendors now. Contact Mindy Gresham at (559) 760-1398 or email mgresham@yosemiteusd.org.

Bass Lake Fishing Derby

Rain or shine, the annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby is set for Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, with more than $55,000 in cash prizes available. Registration is open. Cost is $35 per licensed adult or child 16 years and older or $15 per child under 16 years. Visit basslakechamber.com to register. For more info contact Miller’s Landing Resort at (559) 642-3633.

Kentucky Derby Fundraiser

Sip Mint Juleps and enjoy live music by the Yosemite Jazz Band at the Kentucky Derby Fundraiser for the Oakhurst Community Center on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 5 p.m. For tickets and more information visit www.zeffy.com “A Night at the Races Derby Fundraiser for the OCC.

Caring Veterans Oakhurst

Local group Caring Veterans of America meets on the first Tuesday of every month including May 5 at 8 a.m. for breakfast and a 9 a.m. meeting at Mountain Oaks Cafe (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 May 5 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.

Cinco de Mayo in North Fork

Join the North Fork Boosters for Cinco de Mayo Booster Bingo on May 5 with doors opening at 5 p.m. at North Fork Town Hall (33060 Road 228) in North Fork. The cost is $30 for bingo and $10 for taco dinner with an evening of good vibes, great friends and a fiesta.

Yosemite Jazz Band

The Yosemite Jazz Band returns to the Pizza Factory (40120 Highway 41) in Oakhurst on Thursday evenings from May 7 through September from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Soroptimist Spring Tea & Women’s Awards

Soroptimist International of the Sierras invites the community to their Women’s Awards and Spring Tea on Saturday, May 9 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center (39808 Road 425B) in Oakhurst. Tea party attire is encouraged. Guests will enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, scones and more along with fun, mimosas and raffle prizes. Tickets are $40 (includes 10 raffle tickets) or $10 for children age 10 and under. Tickets available via Zeffy.

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 May 14. For more information contact Mary Bowman at (559) 676-5637.

Farmers Market in Oakhurst

The Farmers Market returns to Bryant’s Ace Hardware (40596 Westlake Drive) in Oakhurst on Thursday, May 14 from 4-7 p.m. and continues weekly through October.

Oakhurst Yosemite Auto Show

The community is invited to the 4th annual Oakhurst Yosemite Auto Show on May 16 in the parking lot at Napa Auto Parts (40322 Junction Drive) in Oakhurst from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event benefits local educators and students. For more information visit www.oakhurstyosemiteautoshow.com.

Glorious Garden Tour

Madera Master Gardeners invite the community to the Glorious Garden Tour of gardens in Coarsegold and Oakhurst including a plant sale at Fresno Flats on Saturday, May 16. Tickets are available at area businesses including Western Sierra Nursery, Oakhurst Business Center and Market House Collective in Oakhurst and at Mountain Feed and Nursery and Oak Creek Mobile Home park in Coarsegold. $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.

Oakhurst Community Concert Band

Mountain Christian Center (40299 Highway 49) in Oakhurst will host the Oakhurst Community Concert Band on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. for a free Spring Concert.

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 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.

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 May 30, 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 May 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact organizers at (559) 683-7911.