Almond Blossom kicks off 209’s outdoor festival season

By DENNIS WYATT

It’s not too hard to figure out why the Ripon Almond Blossom Festival on Feb. 23-26 is a perennial favorite for many in the 209.

The 61st annual event kicks off the outdoor festival season in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. It’s a chance to meander outside among vendor booths under welcoming skies whether it is sunny with fluffy clouds floating above an endless sea of almond blossoms or subdued shades of gray.

Winter is in the run and spring is coming. And what better way to savor it than with a low-key, family friendly event.

For Ripon residents — present and former — it is a massive homecoming especially the day of the parade. Front yards will be lined with chairs — and even tables with picnic style spreads — long before the 1 p.m. start time on Feb. 25.

The parade itself is small town San Joaquin Valley-style on display. Its appeal and associated community events from a fun run to three community breakfasts and even a diaper derby are all crowd pleasers.

The biggest appeal, though, for those with no direct ties to Ripon is the festival itself at Mistlin Sports Park on River Road off Jack Tone Road north of the Highway 99 exit below the imposing 15-story water tower that’s top is painted like a gigantic soccer ball.

It is an appropriate setting surrounded on three sides by acres upon acres of almonds in the full glory of pink and white blossoms.

Admission is free although there is a $5 parking fee for those opting to park on the festival grounds. Hours are Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and

Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The carnival is open Thursday, Feb, 23, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 .m. to 5 p.m.

There is a Saturday fun run. Community stage entertainment on the Saturday and Sunday, a teen night with live music at the park on that Friday.

On the weekend local groups stage various breakfasts, dinners, dance, and even bake sales throughout the community.

The event is staged by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

For more information go to riponchamber.org/almond-blossom-festival.

Mistlin Sports Park is accessed by taking the Jack Tone Road exit on Highway 99 in Ripon and heading north to River Road and the festival site. ●

By CHRISTOPHER CORREA

Olympic, professional and collegiate skiers from around the globe will be coming to the 209 when the World Pro Ski Tour (WPST) makes a pit stop at the Skyline Bear Valley Resort in Bear Valley. e two-day event –which will take place from Saturday, Feb 11. to Sunday, Feb. 12 – will be the rst professional event hosted by the venue since the early 1970s.

“The mountain crew at Bear Valley is building two racecourses on a run known as Feather Duster. Creating a world class race run begins months ahead of the race. Bear Valley crews are already trimming foliage, grooming, and making snow,” the organization shared in a press release. “Snowcats will coax the snow into rolls and jumps that shape the terrain and make downhill races so difficult. This landscaping also requires Forest Service approval and under their watchful eye, the runs will be carefully tended all the way to race weekend.”

Jon J. Franklin, CEO of the WPST, explained that a major reason why the organization decided to return to Skyline Bear Valley Resort and Lodge was the incredible scenery of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains.

“When we saw Bear Valley this summer, we were blown away by the vertical runs, the 360 views at the top and the professionalism of the staff,” Franklin said. “We are so excited to be back at Bear Valley which was always a highlight of the venues on the historic Pro Tour.”

The World Pro Ski Tour is a nationwide tour of four events for both men and women. The professional skiers race side-by-side in a single elimination format. Prize money and an overall World Pro Ski Tour title has attracted skiers from around the world in years past, most notably Olympic silver medalist Billy Kidd, gold medalist Jean Claude Killy, and gold and silver medalists Phil & Steve Mahre.

On top of being able to get an up close look at the latest generation of skiing superstars, there are also opportunities to get on TV, as the event will be subject to a replay broadcast on CBS Sports Network a week later. Additionally, the organization’s reality show and docuseries, “Life In Between the Gates,” airs on NBC Sports, Amazon Prime, OutsideTv, AT&T Sports and other streaming services two weeks after the event.

To purchase parking passes, view lodging options, sign up for volunteering opportunities or for more general information, head to www. bearvalley.com/world-pro-ski-tour. ●