38th Annual California City Desert Tortoise Days

The City of California City and California City Art Commission are very proud to host the 38th Desert Tortoise Days on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 10:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Central Park. This festival reinforces friendships in our community, promotes exciting local businesses, and showcases what makes California City stand out as a city with a tremendous history and vibrancy. This year's theme "A Bright Future" was chosen by the committee which meets at the Strata in Central Park. We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors. Our next meeting is Feb. 15, at 6 p.m.

We will kick off the day with our Parade on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $20. All applications must be received with payment by April 15. To request an entry form please email [email protected]. Parade chairman for the 2nd year is Dr. Jeff Williams. Parade awards will be presented on stage at 11:30 a.m. It starts at Ace Hardware and ends at Friends Tires on California City Blvd.

Once the parade ends folks will be able to enjoy the music and community demonstrations all afternoon at our Lake Shore stage while enjoying fun fair food and beverage vendors. Do you have a talent? You may request an entertainment application and be part of the show! Pet Blessing will be available for our furry friendly pets, as they too are welcome. Cost of admission is $1, kids 12 and under free with a paid adult. Local vendors and businesses are in full support of the festival, displaying a wide array of gifts for Mother's Day and unique merchandise. It will certainly be exhilarating to see what these talented California City area residents have created for festival visitors to enjoy. Vendor applications are being accepted!

The whole family will be able to participate in our family fun area with games and contests! The family fun area also includes an inflatable moon bounce, obstacle course, field games, Tortoise from our Tortoise Preserve Committee and much more!

The California City Arts Commission will be presenting their Art Show in the Arts and Community Building across the parking lot. The theme this year is "Art for All and All for Art" The exhibit is free to enter and runs both Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 3 p.m. They are putting a call out for all artists to participate! For an application please email Terri at [email protected] or message California City Arts Commission on facebook.

In the Strata Center we welcome back our California City Museum Society. They will once again be hosting an Antiques and Collectables sale and historic displays on both Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds will go to the Museum building fund. The host Lions Club will be selling lunch in the Strata.

Per their tradition on Sunday, Desert Song Church will be hosting Church in the Park from 9 to 2 p.m. on Sunday. All are welcome to attend.

Also taking place in front of the Arts Center on Sunday will be a youth Carper Diem Fishing Derby for 5 to 15 year olds, Registration starts at 7 a.m. and event runs till 11 a.m. co-sponsored by California City Quails Birder group and California City's "Save our Lake". 

Visit www.californiacity-ca.gov for more information on how to participate as a vendor, volunteer, entertainer or event sponsor. Find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

This event is presented by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the California City Arts Commission for more info call (760) 373-3530.