Merced
Merced, CA · Arts & Culture
midvalleytimes.com
Fowler Fall Festival celebrates 94 years of tradition
FOWLER — Residents are preparing to celebrate the 94th anniversary of one of Fowler’s longest-running community traditions. The Fowler Fall Festival returns on Oct. 3 with the theme of “Día de los Muertos.” It’ll include food vendors, live music and a parade packed with over 50 local and countywide organizations. The festival’s signature parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Merced Street and will include appearances by elected officials, including Congressman Jim Costa and Fowler Mayor Juan Mejia.
Visalia Times-Delta | Tulare Advance Register
Visalia Band Invitational returns for 45th year
Mark your calendars and get your parade gear ready, the 45th Annual Visalia Band Invitational is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 10. This event brings together musicians from local middle and high school marching bands as they perform in a downtown parade and field show. Nineteen middle school bands and 20 high school bands from around the Central Valley are set to perform. “All of the bands, their families and instructors spend hours of work supporting the schools, and in particular their athletic activities. They receive little recognition,” said Tom Gaebe, a long-time Lions Club band committee member. “This event is an opportunity to showcase the talents of these hard working students.” The parade takes place at 8 a.m. on Jacob Street and Center Avenue in Visalia. The field show will be performed at the Mineral King Bowl beginning at 1:30 p.m. The entry fee is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and children under five can attend the competition for free. What to know about the 45th Annual Visalia Band Invitational When: Saturday, Oct. 10; parade starts at 8 a.m., field shows start at 1:30 p.m. Where: Bands will march down Jacob Street and Center
fresnoland.org
After years of struggle, Fresno’s Tower District finally gets its own ‘starter’ library
After years of advocacy from residents, the Tower District is getting its own library branch. Fresno County plans to open a location in Tower as soon as December, starting at a smaller, temporary site before finding a larger, permanent home, Supervisor Luis Chavez told Fresnoland. That starting place will be...
munroreview.com
Theater Review: “Cemetery Club” at Good Company Players anchored by accomplished leading performances
Time is the most precious commodity in “The Cemetery Club.” We meet three widows who have lost their husbands, and one of the new routines in their long friendship is that they take a monthly trip together to visit the headstones of their deceased male spouses. (Ah, the gender-driven arbitrariness of the actuarial tables.) The unspoken assumption, of course, is that these women are headed for the same place as their male partners – perhaps sooner than later.
kingsriverlife.com
The Wizard of Oz On Stage at the Reedley Opera House
Who would imagine the Yellow Brick Road would lead to Reedley, California?. Grab your Munchkins and get to the Reedley Opera House for a lively, tuneful production of The Wizard of Oz that will revive your memories of the 1939 MGM musical, running through October 11. Unlike earlier film-to-stage adaptations...
Visalia Times-Delta | Tulare Advance Register
Liza Soberano returns to Visalia for ‘Forgotten Island’ family screening | Exclusive
It was a full-circle moment for actress Liza "Hope" Soberano as she stepped into Visalia's Regal Cinemas on Sunday, Sept. 27. The first movie Soberano said she saw as a child was at the downtown theater. "On the way here, I realized this is the first theater I went to as a child," she said. "It was when Shrek 2 came out. That's probably why it's a core memory." The 28-year-old international celebrity smiled in front of the "Forgotten Island" movie poster as she posed for photos with friends, family members and community supporters. Soberano voices Raissa Molina in DreamWorks' new animated film , which follows two childhood best friends as they fight to save their friendship while stranded on the mythical island of Nakali. Soberano is a Filipino American actress who was born in California and spent part of her childhood in Visalia. She is a widely recognized star in the Philippines, where she has appeared in numerous television shows and films. She made her American film debut in 2024's "Lisa Frankenstein." Her latest U.S. film, "Forgotten Island," opened nationwide Friday, Sept. 25, and is currently playing at Regal Visalia . On Sunday, the theater hosted a special screening
fresnoland.org
As city, union leaders mount opposition to library privatization, Fresno County delays debate
Fresno County’s efforts to study privatizing their library system appear to be caught in a holding pattern. Not only does the move lack the required supermajority of the board to push any future efforts forward this year — they’ve now backed away from a public workshop, letting the new crop of supervisors take it up after the November election.
midvalleytimes.com
Sanger Depot Museum gets on board for vendor fair
SANGER — The Sanger Historical Society Depot Museum will open its doors for a morning of hometown shopping and history at the upcoming All Aboard Vendor Fair. Happening on Oct 3. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the fair will feature vendors including Vicky’s Western Ware, Mixed Messages Art and Gifts — which expanded in Sanger earlier this year — Mia Bella The Label and The Grounds Coffee, among others.
munroreview.com
Culture Bucket October 2026: Art and Shakespeare, outdoor festivals, and food for thought coming this month
October tends to be a busy season in the local arts scene. The temperatures are falling and social calendars are filling up. This month, we’re highlighting a few options that are perfect for enjoying the autumnal outdoors, experiencing collaborative art, or providing some food for thought. Pair with spiced cider or a spicy red wine (your choice!)
Madera Tribune
Madera High School: A short history
In the summer of 1893, two women with an abundance of public spirit, Mrs. R.P. Mace and a Mrs. Wear, circulated a petition calling for an election to determine the public will in the matter of a high school in Madera. The efforts of these two ladies brought forth immediate results among the Board of Supervisors and the electorate, all of whom affirmed the measure.
KMPH.com
Meet our new FOX26 News anchor, Vanessa Villafuerte
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — On Monday, FOX26 Great Day introduced our viewers to the newest member of the FOX26 family. Vanessa Villafuerte is joining FOX26 News at 10 as a Reporter/Anchor. She is from Southern California and has family there, so living in Fresno makes it easy to visit.