So much to do downtown for Second Saturday

Nov. 8—Saturday will be a busy day in downtown Bakersfield. Along with the annual Veterans Day Parade in the morning, area businesses will be abuzz with activities for Second Saturday.

Tiki-Ko is continuing its successful partnership with the group Central California Tiki for the Central California Tiki Marketplace.

This is the third such gathering of vendors to help you outfit a home tiki bar and yourself to match since the launch in August 2022.

"This is the third and it's the second year," said Wayne Stonecipher, one of the founders of Central California Tiki, "We had so many requests to have it twice a year. This is the first time we're having it for the second time in a year."

It's inspired by similar events like the Original Tiki Market Place, held at the Garden Grove Elks Lodge, and TikiLand Trading Co. in Santa Ana.

This marketplace has continued to grow from the first outing and the last in March with between 35 to 40 businesses set to bring their tiki-inspired wares on Saturday.

Those participating include Tiki Tony, aka Tony Murphy (carvings, art, mugs and more); Mischief Motu (custom "Exotic Drift Good" wood carvings); Tom "Big Toe" Laura (art, glassware and more); Brian "B-Rex" Rechenmacher (art, barware, apparel and accessories); Tee-Ki Togs (Polynesian pop culture and midcentury design jewelry);, Dark Hibiscus Cove, (tropical, tiki, retro and nature-inspired accessories and ceramics); fine artist Stephen DelTour Jr. (creatived2r); and Skipper Kevin, aka Kevin Lively, Kevin Lively, aka Skipper Kevin, a former Disney Imagineer and Jungle Cruise skipper selling "tropical art and curiosities."

Designer Harry Decker will make his first marketplace appearance at the event with a new Central California Tiki mai tai glass.

Stonecipher said be prepared to shop: "Bring cash. Not everybody uses credit cards, so definitely bring cash."

Smack N Grab will be on site slinging smashburgers and there may be other food vendors. Tiki-Ko and The Sinking Ship will have the usual lineup along with the seasonal Pumpkin Painkiller, made with dark Jamaican rum, pumpkin purée, orange and pineapple juice and garnished with pumpkin spice.

There will also be a Central California Tiki photo backdrop for attendees to take photos in front of to share on social media, Stonecipher said.

The Rayford Bros. will perform two sets in The Sinking Ship (1927 K St.) between 1 and 3 p.m.

The marketplace will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. across the street from Tiki-Ko, 1919 K St. Visit @tikikobakersfield or @centralcaliforniatiki on Instagram for more information.

Start your Christmas shopping early at the cottages across from Mechanics Bank Arena at Truxtun Avenue and N Street.

Oleander + Palm (1022 Truxtun Ave.) will welcome visitors with Swedish glogg and fika, aka treats made by owner Jeran McConel. The downtown shop is prepared for the holidays with a carefully curated collection of home goods, vintage items and more.

New neighbor Number 46 (1032 Truxtun Ave.) will be taking part in Second Saturday at its new location.

Owner Josette Kouyomjian moved her stylist and retail business from the Haberfelde building this month to set up in the cozy cottages.

Kouyomjian's focus is on sustainable fashion, with the shop offering items that are primarily vintage or secondhand.

Midtown Studios, run by Angie Brauer, also is a new resident of the cottages, with the salon now located on the second floor above Cafe Crepes (1028 Truxtun Ave.), which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wire + Pearl (1911 17th St.) will also help you start on holiday shopping with jewelry and home items. The shop will also hold a Brightland olive oil tasting and serve visitors a complimentary beverage.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art (1930 R St.) will host a panel discussion among its activities on Saturday.

From 1 to 2:30 p.m., curator Victor Gonzales will lead the discussion on "Rediscovering Self."

This panel discussion will include sculptor Kieu Tran and painter Jun Yang, both of whose work is on display in the fall exhibitions. They will be joined by Marshall Sharpe, an associate art professor at Bakersfield College, and Jesus Martell González, incoming executive director of The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity.

The group will discuss identity, the role of art in healing from trauma, and the importance of representation in the art world.

Admission to the event is $20, $10 for students and seniors and free for members. (Museum admission alone is $10, $5 for students and seniors and free for members and children age 5 and younger.)

Visitors can view the artists' work in "Jun Yang: Blooming Journeys" and "Kacy Jung & Kieu Tran: Personal Archaeology" as well as the other exhibitions "Bryan Ida: Life of Change, A Retrospective," and "Chiura Obata: Select Works."

The museum will also host an all-ages watercolor art project from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inspired by the work of Chiura Obata.

Adventure Awaits will also serve coffee from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

The Bakersfield Art Association Art Center (1607 19th St.) will offer free art classes courtesy of Charlotte White.

The theme is shapes and bugs with oil pastels. Children's class begins at 1 p.m. and the adult's class begins at 2:30 p.m.

Materials will be provided but students are welcome to bring their own supplies.

On display at the center are photos by Marsha Black and a student exhibition featuring teens from Vista and Tierra Del Sol continuation high schools.

Urban Core Studios (1614 20th St.) will host a sound bath led by licensed spiritual healer, certified vibrational sound coach and ambient music performer Eli Patterson from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Offered as "an empowering moment of self-healing," the sound bath will be a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience that intentionally use sound to activate therapeutic and restorative processes that nurture your mind and body.

The cost is $55 (20% off for members) and includes a complimentary class pass four-pack ($49 value) for nonmembers. Sign up at urbancorestudios.com.

Tlo Wines (1212 18th St.) will honor veterans by a 15% discount to all who have served. Veteran and musician Evan Morgan will also perform from 3 to 6 p.m.

Junk-Atique Outlet Thrift Store (212 21st St.) will hold a lot sale with furniture, home decor, kitchen items, clothing and more.

Fill up a bag of items for $5. There will also be deals on items throughout the store starting at 8 a.m.

Proceeds will aid Resurrection Church, which is planning to send a mission team to Thailand.

Check out the F Street Farmers Market (2819 F St.), which will be open from 8 a.m. to noon, located next to In Your Wildest Dreams Consignment & Antiques (2819 F St.), which will host a pop-up event outside with local vendors like Big Al's BBQ and The Empty Space, offering unique handmade and vintage items, props, costume pieces, play scripts and more.

In Your Wildest Dreams will also offer deals with its vendors inside from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Campo Bar + Bottle (1824 G St.) will be part of the Second Saturday fall crawl and will serve wine, beer, spritzers and snacks from noon to 10 p.m. Crimson Skye will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more activities and participating business information, visit bakersfieldsecondsaturday.com or @bakersfieldsecondsaturday on Instagram.

Saturday will be a busy day in downtown Bakersfield. Along with the annual Veterans Day Parade in the morning, area businesses will be abuzz with activities for Second Saturday.

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @realstefanidias.