The prevailing theme of this perfect weekend is water. In the Sierra-Nevadas the snowmelt has begun to flow—kayakers and rafters take note. In Sarasota, a film festival takes place in close proximity to Gulf Coast wilderness. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, an eco-festival celebrating the element brims with adventure.
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The prevailing theme of this perfect weekend is water. In the Sierra-Nevadas the snowmelt has begun to flow—kayakers and rafters take note. In Sarasota, a film festival takes place in close proximity to Gulf Coast wilderness. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, an eco-festival celebrating the element brims with adventure.
By Chase Scheinbaum, Nicholas Ayala, and Tara House
Kern River Festival, April 17-18
Kernville, California
Kayakers, rafters, and pilots of what we’ll call “boats” — read on for clarification — will converge this weekend in the Southern Sierra-Nevada Mountains for a long-established festival of all things whitewater. The Kern River, the centerpiece of this weekend’s competition, has already begun to swell with meltwater from the winter’s snowpack (a whopping 25 percent above average). On the border of Sequoia National Forest, the green waters of the Kern rage through lush stands of trees and gunmetal granite, making for the kinds of rapids — up to Class V — that boaters usually only see in their dreams.
Now in its 46th year, the Kern River Festival plays host to slalom races on the Kern and Brush Creek — gnarly, experts-only affairs — as well as a Junior Olympic slalom qualifier. More modest boaters can rent rafts for $30 and run the rafting sprint race…or race their own homemade “boats” from Ewings Rapid to the bottom of Riverside Park. The rules of this “Hooligan Boat Race” mandate that watercraft must be made from “non-boat materials.” Start improvising!
All races can be seen for free, and whitewater gear manufacturers will be on hand for demos, so you can try out that rad new boat, paddle, or PFD. Click here to check out a photo gallery from past races. Don’t leave the area without a stop at Kern River Brewing Company in Kernville. They’ve got seasonal ales as well as four signature brews including the apropos Class V Stout.
Travel and Accommodations
Great free camping can be found along the streams in the national forest. Start a search for other nearby campgrounds here. Kernville is about three hours from Los Angeles International Airport. Find detailed directions from Los Angeles here. Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield is a bit closer; it puts you within 60 miles of Kernville. For loads of useful links to nearby recreational opportunities and other regional attractions, click here.
Sarasota Film Festival, April 9-18
Sarasota, Florida
Sometimes the perfect weekend can be found by just kicking back and watching a few flicks. This weekend the Sarasota Film Festival is just the place to do that. Plenty of tickets are still available for a number of films, so don’t worry that you’re getting a late start. What’s more, film isn’t the only thing on the agenda. Make sure to catch a party or two while you’re there.
After immersing yourself in culture, get back to nature at Myakka State River Park for hiking, kayaking, and camping. With some solid weather forecast for the area, why not take the opportunity to feel the earth beneath your feet. Click here for more local options and activities.
Get a taste of the local fare with a trip to the Sarasota Farmers Market, where you can pick up prepared food or the ingredients for your own culinary masterpiece. If you feel like being served instead (this is a vacation afterall), eat at Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant and order a dish of the Chihuahua-style carne asada. And the following night why not try the veal sweetbreads saltimbocca at The Bijou Café?
Travel and Accommodations
The Hyatt Place Sarasota has a film festival group rate, so be sure to mention it during booking. Hotel Indigo is another fine spot to rest your head. Of course being a city on the Florida coast, Sarasota has a number of hotels from which to choose. Check out more options here. Don’t forget you also can spend the night in the great outdoors at Myakka.
Florida is one of those drive-to states, so if you’re in the mood for a road trip just punch in your hotel destination into Google Maps and head on out. Or book a flight to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
Live Earth Oklahoma, April 17-18
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Live Earth Oklahoma is the perfect way to be active outdoors and give back to charity. The two day eco-festival and international Dow Run for Water, held this weekend in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, will educate and enlighten the public about the value of our natural resources.
In addition to the 6K run taking place on Sunday the 18th, live entertainment runs throughout the weekend, including local Oklahoma musicians and painting performances focused on water conservation and ecological issues. Artwork will later be sold in a silent auction benefiting the Water 4 Foundation (all proceeds from the run, walk, and the weekend’s donations go to this Oklahoma based non-profit).
There is a $25 pre-registration fee for the run, which includes an organic t-shirt. Otherwise, Live Earth Oklahoma is free and available to the general public. Can’t make it out to Oklahoma City this weekend, but still want to be a part of the cause? Run for Water will be held this weekend all over the globe, and in other key cities around the country like Atlanta, Chicago, New York, D.C., and many more. A full list of participating cities can be found here.
Travel Accommodations
Fly into the Will Rogers World Airport, located about 10 kilometers outside of downtown Oklahoma City. Be sure to check out the website for transport information, and click here to find the best hotel accommodations for your stay.
Thu, Apr 15, 2010