Celebrate Tortoise Days in California City

Tortoise Days has a long tradition in California City.  This year's big day will be on Saturday, May 14 , from 10 – 6p.m.in Central Park. The $1.00 ticket price (age 5 and up) helps fund scholarships for local students. This year's theme is "Family Fun in the Park."  Booths will provide either free games or activities. In addition to a cake walk, coloring contest (download at: http://www.californiacitychamber.com), face painting, basketball throw, bounce house, and themed photo cutouts, you can add your touch to a group painting, and much more.  Demonstrations include a K-9 unit, and bus safety made fun. The CC Lions will have their Eye Mobile on site for free scans.  You can learn about and visit with the event's namesake at the Desert Tortoise RNA's booth.

"Mayde in Ireland" and acoustic guitarist "Barton Undercover" will provide live entertainment with "Distant Skies" closing out the day.  DJ Wheezer will keep the pace of the day at a good clip.

When you need to "refuel", food vendors will provide hot and cold coffees, smoothies, soft pretzels, hot and chili dogs, pepper bellies, fried chicken, Chinese barbecue, teriyaki on a stick, and, for dessert, ice cream shakes, cotton candy, and slushies.  Stop by PDA Jerky (No MSG or preservatives) for a snack to munch on or to take home.

For a change of pace the rest of Central Park has much to offer. Visit Saturday's and Sunday's art show in the Art building.  Take a stroll in the rest of Central park around the 22.4 acre lake.  If you like birds, bring your binoculars and "bird" one of the hottest birding spots in Southern California.  Migration is in full swing.  Tortoise Flats is the Par 3 golf course that is part of the park.  Does your dog need to run free?  Stop by the well shaded dog park.  Both the Par 3 and the dog park are accessible from California City Blvd. where the baseball fields are. 

Check the Tortoise Days of California City Facebook page for updates and the final events schedule.