Community organizations are revving up to ensure that residents and visitors have plenty to do during some of Tehachapi’s best weather months, with events for youth, adults and families.
Mark your calendar for these events:
Kids Day at the Museum
Sunday, Sept. 15 is the day kids of all ages are invited to the annual Kids Day at the Museum from noon to 4 p.m. on the 300 block of South Green Street. The Tehachapi Museum, Errea House and Garden and Green Street will be filled with fun activities and displays. Admission and all activities are free. More than 20 activities and displays will keep youngsters busy. Displays will include local insects and reptiles, railroad safety, emergency services, bees, therapy dogs and amateur radio. New this year will be making a shell necklace, writing and decorating notes to veterans returning from the Honor Flight, and playing literacy games.
Brews on the Mountain
Tickets are on sale for “Brews on the Mountain,” sponsored by Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The third annual event will bring together the best brews from near and far, live entertainment, games, and a stunning mountain backdrop for an unforgettable day.
“Brews on the Mountain is more than just a beer festival,” said TVRPD Manager Corey Torres. “It’s an opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate local talent, and support our youth programs. We invite everyone to join us for a day of great beer, food, music and fun, all while contributing to a worthy cause.”
Brews on the Mountain also celebrates craft beer culture. Attendees can sample a variety of beers while enjoying live music and delicious food. The event will be held at West Park, 490 W. D Street, from 2 to 6 p.m., with VIP ticket holders admitted an hour early.
All proceeds from Brews on the Mountain will support community youth programs.
Tickets for Brews on the Mountain are available now for $80 (VIP), which includes event entry, shirt, a commemorative beer cup, and 12 tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased on-site. Attendees must be 21 or older to participate in beer tasting.
Purchase tickets online at tvrpd.org.
Thunder on the Mountain
Some people wondered why there was no car show during the Tehachapi Mountain Festival.
Clare Scotti, chief executive of the sponsoring Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, explained that the festival and car show have grown so much that the car show deserves its own spot on the calendar.
This year, it will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in downtown Tehachapi.
Thunder on the Mountain was created by the Tehachapi Car Club in 1997. Over the years, the event changed hands and Race Communications organized it for a few years. In 2023, the chamber officially adopted the event.
Scotti said Tehachapi’s favorite car show will feature more than 250 autos, vendors, entertainment and activities, including the famous roaring thunder of engines.
All the vehicles start their engines promptly at noon on the day of the car show. The deep vibrating roar of the engines echoes off the buildings and mountains, creating thunder.
Each class will have one winner and one award with additional awards including Best in Show, Mayor’s Choice, 1st Priority’s Choice, Police Chief Choice, Youngblood (for registrants between the ages of 16 & 21), Best Interior, Best Engine Compartment, Best Staged, Best Paint, Farthest Traveled and Popular Vote. The awards ceremony will be at 1 p.m.
Registration is $35 per vehicle or motorcycle.
More information is online at thunderonthemountaincarshow.com.
Poker Run on Sept. 28
Four Seasons Blue Star Moms & Associates sponsors its 2nd Annual Charity Ride on Saturday, Sept. 28, with a route through Tehachapi’s countryside. Not limited to motorcycles, organizers say that all vehicles are welcome. Proceeds will go to help active duty military and veterans, as well as Gold Star families.
A $30 per rider/driver fee includes one poker hand, one rider patch and a barbecue lunch; a $25 per passenger fee (one per vehicle) includes one poker hand and one barbecue lunch. Start at Tehachapi Furniture, 20302 W. Valley Blvd., between 9 and 10 a.m.; the ride is approximately two hours. For information, text 661-972-3136.
Brewfondo Graveler
The Tehachapi Mountain Trails Association focuses on creating and preserving non-motorized trails for mountain bikers and hikers in the greater Tehachapi area.
On Oct. 5, the organization’s 2024 Brewfondo Graveler will provide a fun activity and support American Legion Post 221 with the proceeds.
The Brewfondo Graveler is a gravel ride event that offers three ride distances with unforgettable views of the Tehachapi Mountains and valleys. The event culminates with a party on TK Pizza’s patio.
More information and registration link at tehachapitrails.com.
Oktoberfests
Two events celebrating Oktoberfest are planned in Stallion Springs on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The Stallion Springs Community Services District’s Oktoberfest is celebrating its 19th year. The event is a fundraiser for the district’s parks and recreation programs.
This year, the event will feature brats, beer, more than 40 vendors, live music and a huge kid zone. Cash-only to purchase beer but other vendors may accept cards for purchases.
The event will kick off at noon at 27850 Stallion Springs Drive, Tehachapi. The local CERT team will manage parking, and donations for parking will go toward emergency response items.
Just down the road, the Stallion Springs Oktoberfest and German Car Cruise-In will be held the same day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Papa’s Plae, 27821 Stallion Springs Drive, is headquarters for the cruise-in with German cars asked to meet at the former K-mart parking lot in Tehachapi at 10 a.m. Last year about 100 vehicles participated.
The events are not affiliated, but promoters of the cruise-in encouraged visitors to check out that event as well to support the Stallion Springs community.
Tehachapi Apple Festival
This year’s Tehachapi Apple Festival, sponsored by the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, will take place in downtown Tehachapi on Oct. 12-13, with related events at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds and Event Center on Oct. 11-13.
The festival was created in 2013 by David Brust and operated by Linda Carhart from 2018 to 2023. The event expanded during those years and Carhart turned it over to the chamber in January.
The popular “Apple Drop,” a fundraiser for the Tehachapi Lions Club and Rotary of Tehachapi, will occur at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, on F Street in downtown Tehachapi. Club members will sell apples for $10 with a chance to win gift cards valued at $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place.
An apple pie eating contest will be held on Saturday and an apple pie baking contest will be held on Sunday, both in Centennial Plaza. Other activities include modern apple bobbing on both days.
Live music, kids games and other activities — including the Waste Management Kidzone (bounce houses) — on the lawn in front of the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum lawn will keep everyone entertained.
This year, the vintage trailer show will be at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free for the public.
A carnival will be at the rodeo grounds from Friday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 13. Information about hours and prices is not yet available.
More information about the Tehachapi Apple Festival and related events is online at tehachapiapplefestival.com.
October rodeo
Last year, the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association scheduled a make-up rodeo in conjunction with the Tehachapi Apple Festival after being rained out during the Mountain Festival in August.
This year, the October rodeo is back as the Apple Festival Rodeo, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 12.
More information will be posted soon online at tehachapiprorodeo.com.
Quilt show
Another activity scheduled the same weekend as the Apple Festival is the Tehachapi Mountain Quilt Show, sponsored by the Tehachapi Mountain Quilters.
The theme for this year’s event is “Country Garden.” Frosti Acord is the featured artist. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13 and the show will be held at the Aspen Builders Inc. Activity Center, 410 W. D St.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6 to 16. Children under 6 are free.
Halloween activities
Halloween-themed activities are just starting to get on calendars, and a few changes are coming this year. The Tehachapi Terror Haunted House will be staged at Woodward West and the Ghoulden Hills Trick or Treat event is moving to Meadowbrook Park. Check Tehachapi News closer to the holiday as more events may be added.
Concert — A don’t-miss event is TPOPS (Tehachapi Pops Orchestra) Halloween Spooktacular Concert set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. Rehearsals are underway, and this year’s show will again be presented at the Tehachapi ADHC (Adult Day Healthcare Center), 123 W. F St. More details will be available closer to the concert date. For more information, call Mountain Music at 661-823-9994.
Haunted House — This isn’t just an ordinary haunted house, the Tehachapi Terror Haunted House gets bigger and better every year and this year will be accepting cash donations for Family Life Pregnancy Center of Tehachapi. General admission is free, but $10 VIP passes will allow you to skip the line. Staged this year at Woodward West, 28400 Stallion Springs Dr, Tehachapi, the event will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Halloween night, Oct. 31.
Ghoulden Hills Trick or Treat — This popular community event sponsored by Golden Hills Community Services District outgrew its former location in the CSD parking lot and is moving to Meadowbrook Park, 21750 Westwood Blvd., Tehachapi this year. The CSD has added parking to help accommodate the crowd.
Sim Sanitation and the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District are sponsoring a movie in the park to be held as part of the event, and a pumpkin patch will also be available. Maria’s Kitchen and the California Hot Dog Company will be on site, as well.
Parents with children in Halloween costumes will be able to go booth-to-booth collecting candy and goodies and playing games. Organizations and businesses that want to participate are asked to register by Oct. 18. More information from Erin Mason at Golden Hills CSD, 822-3064.
— Claudia Elliott