Debbie Croft: September a busy time for the Sierra foothills

In the Sierra Nevada foothills, residents know that autumn isn’t far away. So this month is a good time to visit the region’s mountain communities and enjoy all they have to offer.

A representative piece of artwork from each artist on the Sierra Art Trails Tour will be on display. By visiting the preview exhibit, guests can plan their route for the October tour. Admission and parking are free. Contributions to the potluck buffet will be appreciated.

This exhibit will last through Oct. 5. The gallery – 40982 Highway 41, Suite 1 – is open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find out more at www.sierraarttrails.org or by calling (559) 658-8844.

Only original artwork and poetry will be accepted. Submissions should reflect a connection to Yosemite’s cultural and natural history, focusing on any aspect of the national park: scenery, iconic features, seasons, wildlife, plants, conservation or its legacy. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 3.

Winning selections will be featured at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley. The awards ceremony will be held on Oct. 25.

For more information, call (209) 375-9505 or email yose_education@nps.gov.

The Bluesbox Bayou Band returns to the stage for two shows this year, along with Ron Bombardier & the Bayou Boys and Good Medicine. Cleo Home will give free group dancing lessons until 4 p.m.

The festival is held at Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Ticket prices, directions and complete info are available at www.blazinhog.com.

Howlers compete for a $100 cash prize and pay $5 to enter. Horseshoes, face painting, raffle prizes and much more round out this event. Call the Northern Mariposa County History Center for details, (209) 878-3015, or visit www.coultervillehistorycenter.org.

All genres of music are welcome, and musicians of all ages are encouraged to participate. Categories are fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocal, miscellaneous and original song. The grand prize is a gold nugget.

Competition begins at 10:30 a.m. Spectators should bring lawn chairs, hats and sunscreen.

Mike Keene, contest organizer, said “Last year two of the contestants made the judges’ jobs excruciatingly difficult while giving the audience some memorable performances. I look forward to more problems for the judges and more delights for the audience this year.”

A chili cook-off will take place during the lunch break. For $5, visitors can taste the best chilis in town and then cast their vote.

On the same day, Columbia’s Poison Oak Show will be held at the Bixel Brewery.

For more information about the Fiddle & Bango Contest or the chili cook-off, contact the Columbia Chamber at ( 209) 536-1672 or www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com. Call Ed Sciarini at (209) 532-2815 about the Poison Oak Show.

This story was originally published September 12, 2014 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: September a busy time for the Sierra foothills."