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| BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA HOST OF THE 2005 NHPA WORLD TOURNAMENT Article From Newsline Jan/Feb 2005 issue Make plans to be in Bakersfield California for the 2005 NHPA World Tournament July 18-30. With a metro population of over 250,000 people, the city is large enough to offer a wide variety of dining and entertainment options, yet small enough to make you feel welcome. Bring the kids!! Bakersfield is a great place for a horseshoe tournament and a family vacation. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History takes its visitors back 15 million years ago to a time when some really big and nasty creatures roamed the streets of Bakersfield. Fossil remains of local residence such as "Allodesmus" and teeth from giant "Megalodon" sharks are on display. The Kern County Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of Bakersfield and Kern County. Tour historic homes and buildings packed full of artifacts and historical memorabilia. The highlight of the museum is "Black Gold". This hands-on, one of a kind, multimillion dollar exhibit tells the story of oil and the roll it played in the history of Bakersfield and its importance to the entire world. Don't forget to pack the swim suit!! The newest attraction to Bakersfield is the McMurtry Aquatics center in downtown. The center features waterslides and a splash pool for the kids and lap pools for the serious swimmer. Visitors can also keep their cool in Bakersfield by ice skating at the Bakersfield Ice Sports Complex. The center offers public skate times and skate rental. Both the ice rink and aquatic center are within walking distance of the headquarters hotel and only 1.5 miles from the fairgrounds. The California Living Museum lets visitors get up close with some of the wilder residence of Kern County. CALM (Bakersfield's zoo) features animals native to California. Kick up your heals at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and Steakhouse. Bakersfield's hometown boy, Buck Owens performs on Friday and Saturday nights at his award winning museum-restaurant-concert hall. Plan to watch up-and-coming NASCAR drivers at Mesa Marin raceway, top fuel dragsters at Famoso raceway and fast 1/8 mile oval-action at Bakersfield Speedway. Make no mistake; Bakersfield is hot in the summer. The average temperature in July is 96 degrees. BUT, because we are on the western edge of the Mojave Desert, the humidity is low and the evenings are cool. Bring casual clothes, a hat and sun screen. GETTING TO BAKERSFIELD BY PLANE: Fly directly into Bakersfield via America West (800)235-9292, Continental (800)523-3273, and United (800)241-6522 airlines. The airport is seven miles north of downtown. Visitors to Bakersfield may also choose to fly into one of several other airports in the area. Fresno is located one hour North, Burbank is 1.5 hours and LAX is 2 hours to the South. BY TRAIN: The Amtrak station in Bakersfield is the 12th busiest station in the nation. It is located within walking distance of the Holiday Inn Select and is 1.5 miles from the tournament site. BY AUTOMOBILE: Many roads lead Bakersfield!! From the North or South on the West Coast use I-5. From Northern states, take I-80 to San Francisco then South on I-5. From the Eastern and central states, you can take I-70 to I-15 (stop off in Las Vegas), then highway 58 to Bakersfield. Another option is I-40 to highway 58 into Bakersfield. I-5 will take you from Los Angeles to Bakersfield. MAKE TIME TO SEE IT ALL Located in central California, Bakersfield is just a short drive from a vacation of a lifetime. Within 2 ½ hours of Bakersfield, you will find Disneyland, Knottsberry Farms, Magic Mountain, Hollywood, Universal Studies Theme Park, the beach, giant Sequoia trees, the Mojave desert, Death Valley National Park and Mt Whitney. After you have done all of that, there are still miles of mountain trails to hike, dozens of ghost towns to explore and unlimited natural wonders to discover. HEADQUARTERS HOTEL The Holiday Inn Select in Downtown Bakersfield is the official host hotel for the tournament. Located 1.5 miles from the fairgrounds, the hotel offers everything a visitor to Bakersfield needs. In addition to a full service restaurant, bar and outdoor pool, the hotel will also provide two tournament quality raised horseshoe courts for guest to use. This will be the ideal location to warm up before the tournament or to settle the bragging rights afterwards. The hotel only has 250 guest rooms and at $59 per night, they will sell out quick. The hotel is now taking reservations at 661-323-1900. You must mention horseshoes to get the rate. The HOLIDAY INN SELECT has sold out of its $59 room block for the NHPA World Tournament. The BEST WESTERN HILL HOUSE (which is across the street from the HOLIDAY INN SELECT) is the overflow hotel and is also offering rooms for $59. Anyone interesting in booking lodging with them must call the hotel directly to receive the rate. Their number is 661-327-4064. RV INFO Walk to the tournament!!! The Kern County Fairgrounds has hookups with water and electric for 200 RV's. The park also provides showers. The fee is $20 per night. Information for RV reservations will be available in the next issue of NEWSLINE. Don't forget to join the group that is caravanning across the US to the tournament. Contact Homer Cain through the NHPA message board for information. TOURNAMENT FACILITIES The 2005 NHPA World Tournament will be held at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield. The courts will be set up in two buildings that are connected by a plaza. The covered, outdoor Bolthouse Courtyard is adjacent to one of the buildings and is the perfect location to relax and enjoy lunch. WARNING!!! Bring a sweater if you don't like COLD buildings. During the California State Tournament, many of the scorekeepers and spectators complained of being cold, even though it was 100 degrees outside. The players however loved it!! Come to the tournament hungry!! A large concession stand will be open featuring a full and varied menu. Of course, the usual hotdogs will be available along with burgers, fries (chili cheese and regular), hot and cold sandwiches, Tri-tip and breakfast items. Beer will also be available. Coolers are not allowed on the fairgrounds. State law prohibits glass and metal beverage containers on the grounds. An exception has been issued for the RV area. Small containers of water may be brought into the tournament. Participants help in enforcing this rule will be greatly appreciated and save some embarrassing moments for all involved. STILL GOT QUESTIONS??? If you need additional information on Bakersfield, please contact the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at (866)425-7353 or by e-mail at GBCVB@bakersfieldcvb.org |
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