< PreviousLive theatre thrives in Yosemite’s Southern Gateway at The Golden Chain Theatre (GCT) in Oakhurst. Founded in the late 1960’s to put on historical melodramas of the late 1800s and early 1900s as a tourist attraction (W.H. Smith’s “The Drunkard” was the first play performed by GCT). Since establishing a permanent home at the former Snowline Bowling Alley in 1972, GCT has grown and expanded its repertoire significantly over the years. Recent seasons have seen a wide variety of theatrical offerings on the GCT stage. Dramas like “Mousetrap”, “Steel Magnolias” and “Silent Sky”, comedies such as “Savannah Sipping Society” and “Much Ado About Nothing”, as well as several musicals like “Oklahoma”, “Peter Pan”, “Mary Poppins” and “Shrek the Musical” have entertained locals and visitors alike. Rest assured, the Golden Chain Theatre hasn’t forgotten its roots. Classic melodramas such as “A Woman in White” and “Here Come the Cows” can be seen every season on the GCT stage as well as original productions like “Little Orphan Angela” and “Someone Save My Baby, Ruth!”. The Golden Chain Theatre’s productions are not limited to just their stage… check out the Moonlight Melodrama train rides at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for a family fun way to spend an evening under the stars in the Sierra National Forest. At many times during the year, you can enjoy live music hosted at venues throughout the area. Both one-off events and regular musical series feature a range of local, regional and national performers and music from a wide range of genres. There is so much to choose from and enjoy. For event information visit YosemiteThisYear.com/whats-happening Performing Arts GoldenChainTheatre.org Here’s just a sampling of a few of our favorite live music series: •Bass Lake LIVE Summer Concert Series The Pines Resort, Bass Lake •Fäsi Estate Winery Concert Series (Spring, Summer & Fall editions) •Ground Series at AXIS AXIS Coffee Bar + Eatery •Live from the Meadows Concert Series Sierra Meadows •Live Music Concert Series Queen's Inn Wine Bar & Beer Garden •Live Music Sundays Toca Madera Winery •Music in the Park , Chowchilla •Tesoro Viejo Live on the Lawn Summer Concert Series Like the other arts Musical Talent runs deep in the region. IDLE HOUR WINERY AND KITCHEN SPRING RELEASE PARTY • VYMC THE SOUND OF MUSIC • GOLDEN CHAIN THEATRE 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 48Art and the Arts in Madera County SIERRA ART TRAILS A cornerstone ARTober event is the Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour. This multi-day event brings together nearly a hundred local and regional artists working in a wide array of media. A shortlist (very short) includes photography, painting, pastels and ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, woodworking and leather craft. Seeing an abundance of wonderful art is great, but the best part may be spending time with artists, often at their home studios, where the magic itself happens. The trail is a special, once-a-year journey throughout Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. An artistic road trip that celebrates art in the region, for artists and art lovers alike. SierraArtTrails.org Madera County is wonderfully rich in history as well as natural beauty. These features have drawn many to the area, including a thriving and growing community of artists, artisans and crafts people. From fine art to performing art, you can find and enjoy it here. YOSEMITE GATEWAY ART CENTER If you want to visit the center of the regional arts activities, look no further than the Yosemite Gateway Art Center in Oakhurst. The art center is home to a number of galleries that regularly showcase a wide range of art and artists as well as serves as home for special art exhibits throughout year. Exhibits such as the Yosemite Sierra Artists (YSA) Annual Show and the regionally renowned Yosemite Renaissance annual traveling art exhibit. YSA exhibits and artist demonstrations are regular events throughout the year. YosemiteSierraArtists.org YGAC.com MADERA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL The Madera County Arts Council (MCAC) has over a 30-year history of providing county residents and visitors access to art and culture through many diverse programs and services. MCAC works to stimulate and support local arts groups and individual artists throughout the County and hosts several exhibits at the council-run Circle Gallery in the City of Madera. Among their many initiatives and events is the annual “Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts” program. Drawing participants from throughout the region, it is a signature exhibit and competition that showcases the breadth of artistic talent while celebrating the role that agriculture plays both economically and culturally. ARTOBER IN OAKHURST Oakhurst is the largest of Yosemite National Park's gateway communities. In addition to this distinction, it has what is believed to be one of the largest number of artists, per capita, in the United States. Every ARTober (aka October) many of these artists come together to take part in a month-long celebration of all things art. From artist demos, exhibits and special events to the ART the Bear carved-bear treasure hunt, it’s a fun and artful way to celebrate the creative side of life in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. MaderaArts.org SIERRA ART TRAILS - OAKHURST, CA • VYMC ARTober.net Art & Artists Thrive Here! YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 49Some come for quiet, some for the beauty, others to experience some of the unique fun of the season. The quiet. This season sees less visitors than any other time of year, thus making your journey feel like a more private and personal experience. The beauty. Imagine scenes of granite monoliths encased in ice crystals towering above snow covered meadows. Waterfalls, newly revived with the season’s welcome rains, send mist into nearby forests, frosting the trees with ice, creating a winter wonderland many can only dream of seeing. Winter is also a perfect season to capture images, both grand and intimate, of the beauty of Yosemite. EXPLORE THE Magic of Winter in Yosemite and its Southern Gateway Come experience the magic that is winter here! YosemiteThisYear.com/winter-fun Winter in the mountains is truly a special time! Ice Skating A family favorite activity. There are now three locales to enjoy strapping on some skates, gliding across the ice (both real and synthetic*) and warming up with hot cocoa: •Tenaya at Yosemite - Located near the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park •Curry Village - Located in Yosemite Valley •The Pines Resort* - Located in the Pines Village at Bass Lake After a day of fun and adventure, retire to beautiful snow-dusted Bass Lake. Snuggle up with a steamy beverage next to a crackling fire in your own lakeside suite or chalet at The Pines Resort, Miller's Landing Resort or one of the many vacation home rentals around the lake. Badger Pass Winter sports have a long history in Yosemite. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and cross-country skiing are all in the mix here. If you are new to winter sports or want to sharpen your skills, sign up for a class. Goat Meadow Snow Play Area Located in Fish Camp just outside the south gate to Yosemite. Head here for a day of sledding and snow-play fun with family and friends. Yosemite Adventure Company Take an adventurous tour up into the mountains of the Sierra National Forest and enjoy sites few have the opportunity or means to access in the winter months. Winter Fun comes in many forms from classic activities to some that are adventurous and off the beaten path. Here’s just a few of our favorites: MARIPOSA GROVE HIKE • VYMC GOAT MEADOW SNOWPLAY AREA • VYMCWINTER OFFROADING • YOSEMITE ADVENTURE CO YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 51Celebrating Local Native Cultures Yosemite and its Southern Gateway have been home to Native Peoples for many thousands of years. They lived then, as now, as part and caretakers of the lands they call their homes. NORTH FORK RANCHERIA OF THE MONO INDIANS The North Fork Mono are among the original inhabitants of the foothills of the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Mountains. North Fork Mono society has traditionally consisted of two clans represented by the golden eagle and the coyote. The animals stand guard at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center over the many displays of traditional Mono life. The old way of life for the Mono is exhibited through fishing, hunting, acorn gathering, cooking, healing, basket making, games and ceremonies at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center. PICAYUNE RANCHERIA OF THE CHUKCHANSI INDIANS The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians is affiliated to Chukchansi Yokuts culture. Chukchansi Yokuts are indigenous to Central California where they have inhabited areas of the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills for more than 12,000 years. Many Chukchansi still live in these foothills about 30 miles north of Fresno; the headquarters of the tribe, Picayune Rancheria, is located there today. Chukchansi is the language spoken regionally, in which anthropologists have classified an estimated 60 tribes together as Yokuts—meaning people. Hence, Chukchansi Yokuts. However, these tribes all have similar culture and customs but have had different dialects throughout history. YOSEMITE INDIAN VILLAGE OF AHWAHNEE This reconstructed village is located on the former site of the largest Indian village in Yosemite Valley. The bark houses, ceremonial roundhouse, sweathouse, pounding rocks, cabin, acorn granaries, and chief's house are representative of the structures found in a Sierra Nevada Miwok village of the late nineteenth century. Today the village is still actively used by members of the local American Indian community for ceremonies and special gatherings. The word "Miwok" is also spelled "Miwuk" or "Me-Wuk." Translated as "people" or "Indian people," it is used to identify persons who are descended from any one of the several different Miwok groups in California. Looking for more information and resources? You can be find them here. 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 52Recommendations for Getting Back to the Wild No journey to Yosemite National Park and Madera County would be complete without spending time outdoors—no matter the season. Boost your energy, reduce your stress, build your fitness level. Walk in the forest – Hiking trails abound in Madera County and Yosemite National Park, including many that take you away from civilization so you can reconnect with the earth and your spirit. Swim in a lake – Take a dip in a sun-warmed lake, such as Bass Lake, or brave the colder temps of Tenaya Lake in Yosemite's high country. Kayak, do paddleboard yoga or sun yourself on the shore to boost your vitamin D. Eat organically, from fruits and vegetables in season – Purchase locally-grown items from our farmers' markets or dine at restaurants featuring locally sourced products on their menus, prepared lovingly for you. As a special treat, sign up for culinary classes at The Elderberry House Restaurant. Perform yoga or tai chi atop a granite dome or near a meadow – Limber up with gentle movements made even more refreshing being accomplished outdoors in the open air. Meditate outdoors – Reduce stress and improve your mood by quieting your mind in meditation outdoors. Get in touch with your Higher Self and let your mind wander amid vibrant wildflowers and giant trees. Guides and Classes Looking for a group, or maybe even a guide, to help you on your wellness journey? We can highly recommend that you check out a couple of key resources. At A Stone’s Throw Massage Therapy, Dani offers tailored sessions that prioritize individual needs. Dive into personalized healing and relaxation in this community gem, where each massage becomes a transformative journey. For an experience that’s a bit more personalized, and especially if you are interested in the ancient practice of “shinrin-yoku” (roughly translated as “taking in the forest atmosphere'') Mindful Café offers guided Forest Bathing excursions in Yosemite’s southern gateway. Both will help make those steps along in the path truly enriching and rewarding. Finding Ways to Wellness Get out there! 2019-2023 AWARDS CENTURION® President’s Pinnacle Producer YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 53Learn more at YosemiteThisYear.com/ majestic-mountain-loop DAY 3 Yosemite National Park Get an early start for your drive into the park or take a guided tour and spend the day exploring Yosemite. See the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona's Yosemite History Center, Tunnel View and Yosemite Valley. Come back to Oakhurst for a night's stay or extend your journey on through to one of Yosemite’s other three gateways. Sequoia • Kings Canyon • Yosemite DAY 1 Sequoia National Park Start your journey with a scenic drive to Sequoia National Park from Visalia (Highway 99 and Highway 198). See the Giant Forest Museum, Tunnel Log, Moro Rock and the largest tree in the world… the General Sherman Tree. You can also venture underground in the Crystal Cave. Stay the night in the welcoming town of Visalia. Make sure to experience farm-to-table restaurants in their quaint downtown. DAY 2 Kings Canyon National Park See the General Grant Tree, Panoramic Point, Big Stump Trail, Roaring River Falls and The Road’s End. After your visit, head north and stay overnight near the south entrance of Yosemite in the southern gateway town of Oakhurst. To get there, take Highway 180 from Kings Canyon to Fresno then head north on Highway 41 (about a 2 hour journey). Majestic Mountain Loop Visit 3 of California’s most stunning national parks in as little as 3 days! BIG TREES TRAIL SUNNY GIANT SEQUOIAS SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK • DANIEL CHUI HALF DOME • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK • LISA MOQUIN KINGS RIVER WITH BOYDEN CAVERN •KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK • DANIEL CHUI YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 55Z SIP. STAY. SAVOR & PLAY. A Mediterranean-inspired Food & Wine Experience OPEN DAILY FOR WINE TASTING & LUNCH SERVICE, SUNDAY BRUNCH & DINNER SERVICE MOST EVENINGS. Alicante B uschet | . . 41139 HIGHWAY 41, OAKHURST www.queensinn.com / www.idlehourwinery.com Inn: 559-683-4354 Winery: 559-760-9090 For Special Events: Follow us on FACEBOOK @IDLEHOURWINE @QUEENSINNWINEBAR RIVERSIDE 12-ROOM INN WINE BAR & BEER GARDEN Summer Live Music Series FamilyVacationPortraits C a p t u r e y o u r t i m e t o g e t h e r . carriejenkinsphotography 5 5 9 .7 6 0 . 1 9 6 2 Submit Your Photos! Would you like to see your photo in the 2025 Visitors Guide? For consideration, send your images to steve@yosemitethisyear.com & lisabaker@digitalmirrors.com. Write "Photo Submission" in the subject line. I am lucky to live and work within the boundary of Yosemite National Park. Every day brings something new to experience as seasons change from one to another. Getting close to nature allows one to witness how the sights, smells and sounds of Yosemite can be distinctly different as months (even days) pass. Approach one of the Yosemite’s waterfalls to feel the spray against your skin. At close distance the sound of the Yosemite Falls is thunderous, in spring and early summer it can be heard throughout the eastern end of the valley. Yosemite Falls COVER PHOTO Design & Layout: Lisa Baker - Digital Mirrors lisabaker@digitalmirrors.com Sales & Advertising: Tim & Susan Madden tim@seethingsmoreclearly.com Writer: Steve Montalto Creative Consultants: Rhonda Salisbury and Kate Holden VYMC Photographer: Steve Montalto Edited by the VYMC Team Visit Yosemite | Madera County ©2023 All rights reserved Photographer Nancy Robbins 2023-2024 PHOTOGRAPHERS: µ Breeze Turner Willson @BreezeTurner µ Carrie Jenkins Carrie Jenkins Photography photosbycarriej.com µ Christian Mueller Christian Mueller Photography christianmuellerphotography.com µ Ciara Turner-Ewert Wellness Travel Diaries wellnesstraveldiaries.com µ Daniel Chui Daniel Chui Photography chuiphoto.com µ Darvin Atkeson Yosemite Landscapes yosemitelandscapes.com µ Jaime Lyn Pirozzi Local Freshies LLC • LocalFreshies.com µ Janet Martinez Janet Martinez Photography janetmartinezphotography.com µ Kim Lawson Rugged Beauty • ruggedbeauty.com µ Lisa Moquin @Moquindesignz µ Nancy Robbins Nancy Robbins Photography robbinsphotography.com µ Steve Montalto HighMountain Images highmountainimages.com YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 57Next >