Valley Strong Credit Union is hosting the Kern County Building Bridges Summit on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Legends Lounge & Event Center in Bakersfield. This summit focuses on expanding access to funding and resources for Kern County’s small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community members are all welcome to attend.

Schedule for the Building Bridges Summit

The day starts with a coffee and networking mixer, then moves into a full lineup of workshops and panels.

• 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM: Coffee & Networking Mixer
• 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM: Workshops & Panels

Lunch will be provided for all attendees.

Location

Legends Lounge & Event Center
7900 Downing Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308

What the Summit Will Cover

Guest speakers and panelists will lead discussions across three main topics. The State of Kern County Small Business session looks at the current landscape for local businesses. A second panel covers nonprofit fundraising, grants, and marketing strategies. The third session focuses on financial management, economic development, and lending, giving attendees practical tools they can apply right away.

RSVP Information

Attendees should RSVP in advance to secure their spot at the Kern County Building Bridges Summit. Registration is available at valleystrong.com/events.

Ride for Change | Ride for PM is the 2nd annual bike ride hosted by the Prince Michael Forever 15 Foundation. Riders will gather August 29, 2026 at Riverwalk Park in Bakersfield to honor Prince Michael’s legacy and his love for riding bikes. The event also encourages youth to make positive choices and invest in their community, so all youth and adults are welcome to take part.

About the Foundation

The Prince Michael Forever 15 Foundation hosts this annual ride to honor Prince Michael’s memory. Each year, the event brings families together and invests in the next generation.

Event Details

Riders should arrive early so they can check in before the group sets out together.

• Arrival at 3:00 PM
• Ride out at 4:00 PM
• Location: Riverwalk Park, Bakersfield, CA

Registration and Cost

Participants register in advance to join Ride for Change | Ride for PM. Youth ride free, while adult riders pay $10. Riders should also bring their own bike and helmet, then dress appropriately for an afternoon outdoors. Anyone who wants to support the foundation’s youth programs can donate or sponsor the event, and these contributions help fund future rides like this one.

What to Expect

The ride welcomes all skill levels, and riders can gather at Riverwalk Park before heading out as a group. It’s a chance for the community to come together, celebrate Prince Michael’s memory, and support a cause centered on youth mentorship.

Contact Information

Community members who need registration details can scan the QR code on the official event flyer from the Prince Michael Forever 15 Foundation.

Catholic Charities of Bakersfield is hosting August food distributions. These events are taking place in Arvin, Shafter, and Bakersfield.

Event Schedule

• Friday, August 7 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Arvin at St. Thomas The Apostle
• Friday, August 14 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Shafter at Healthy Start
• Tuesday, August 18 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for Senior Distribution at Catholic Charities
• Wednesday, August 26 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a Farmers Market at Catholic Charities

Contact Information

Visit www.ccdof.org or call 661.281.2130 for exact addresses and more details.

KRV Bridge Connection is hosting the Sowing Seeds of Change event. This garden tasting experience includes an evening of music, food, and wine pairings.

Schedule and Location

The event runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Guests are welcome to linger longer. The gathering takes place at 6069 Lake Isabella Blvd in Lake Isabella, California. Guests are encouraged to wear garden chic attire with footwear suitable for a natural setting.

Tickets and Registration

Tickets are 50 dollars each. All proceeds benefit KRV Bridge Connection. You can register online using the flyer code or mail checks to PO Box 1098, Lake Isabella, CA 93240.

Public Safety Professionals Retreat is hosting the Annual Ohana Koa Luau.

Schedule and Location

The event is from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday August 29 2026. It is held at the Stockdale Country Club located at 7001 Stockdale Highway in Bakersfield California. Island attire is encouraged.

Food and Social

Dinner and live entertainment are provided during the Annual Ohana Koa Luau. There will also be a silent auction and a Hawaiian shirt contest.

Tickets and Sponsorships

Tickets are 125 dollars each. Sponsorship packages are available. To donate to the silent auction contact prosper.pspr@outlook.com. For details or tickets visit www.prosperetreat.com.

Independent Living Center of Kern County is hosting the 2026 Kern County ADA Conference. Celebrating 36 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the event will take place on Thursday July 30 and Friday July 31 2026 at the Bakersfield Marriott.

This conference provides an opportunity to learn about accessibility and inclusion. Retired Chief of Police Lyle Martin will serve as the guest speaker. Attendees can also participate in breakout sessions covering digital accessibility and student rights. Additionally, a separate Casino Night Fundraiser will be held on July 30.

General admission tickets and separate fundraiser tickets are available on Eventbrite. For more details, please visit www.ilcofkerncounty.org or call 661 325 1063.

Kern Athletic Fencing Foundation is hosting the 2026 En Garde Gala on Saturday September 12, 2026. The event will take place from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Luigis Warehouse in Bakersfield. This cruise inspired evening is titled Parry on the Pacific and features an Italian dinner wine and a cash bar.

The En Garde Gala serves as the main annual fundraiser for the organization. Proceeds support competitive youth fencing adult fencing recreational fencing for underserved youth and parafencing programs. Guests will view live youth fencing demonstrations and parafencing showcases during the event.

To register or learn more about sponsorship opportunities please visit www.kernaff.org. The deadline to RSVP is August 31, 2026.

Catholic Charities of Bakersfield is hosting their monthly food distribution. The organization provides food to individuals in the local area. There are four separate events planned for food support in July.

The first event is in Rosamond at St. Mary of the Desert on Thursday July 2 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The next event is in Buttonwillow at St. Mary’s Church on Friday July 10 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Catholic Charities is also hosting specific events at their main location in Bakersfield. A Senior Distribution will take place on Tuesday July 21 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A Farmers Market will take place on Wednesday July 22 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Both of these events for the Catholic Charities July Food Distribution are located at the 825 Chester Ave building in Bakersfield.

Please see the flyer for exact times and locations. For more details visit Catholic Charities or call 661 281 2130.

The H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Panda Express Fundraiser is taking place this month. This organization assists families who have children and young adults with disabilities. Panda Express will donate 20 percent of event sales to the organization. Guests can choose to dine in or take out.

Event Schedule and Location Details

The gathering takes place on Friday, June 12, 2026. You can visit the restaurant anytime from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The restaurant is located at 11313 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 100 in Bakersfield, California 93311. If you have questions about the location, you can call the store at 661 262 8721.

Ordering for the H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Panda Express Fundraiser

There are two simple ways to place your food order. You can order online through the website or by using the app. Simply enter the code 3860698 in the fundraiser box when you pay. If you prefer to order in person, you must bring a paper flyer or show the digital flyer on your smartphone. For more information on H.E.A.R.T.S. please visit their website at https://heartsconnection.org/.