In a region surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, recreational areas such as two California State Parks, and a mobile population of 77,000 vehicles passing by us on the Grapevine each day, it would seem our attractive annual festival schedule and recreational attractions can be a prime draw to out-of-county visitors.

We have the Mountain Shakespeare Festival, Lilac Festival, Fiesta Days and parade, Pine Mountain Wine Festival, the Holiday Faire and Fantasy of Lights Parade, plus Fall Festival and more. We have intriguing historical tours given by the Ridge Route Communities Museum, the San Andreas fault, lush starfields above Mount Pinos that draw amateur astronomers from around the world and condor viewing safaris given by the Sierra Club. This is a prime location for attracting tourists.

The Kern County Board of Trade has been allocated $100,000 for grants to nonprofits to stimulate tourism promotion this year.

Application materials are now available on-line at www. VisitKern.com, along with a tutorial video.

The deadline date has been extended to December 3 (formerly Nov. 26). No single organization can receive more than $10,000 in total aid. Routine spending reports are required from recipients.

This is part of the September 28, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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