Good morning, Bakersfield.

Today, the Bring Back the Kids tour brings 20,000 teddy bears to the Kern County Administrative Building to honor Ukrainian children separated by conflict.

The display runs from (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), and volunteers are needed to help set up.

Gene Parks (known as Gentleman Gene) died Wednesday at 81 following 40 years of Kern River Valley service as healthcare district treasurer.

His board will select a replacement at an Aug. 13 meeting, and a celebration of life is set for Aug. 8 at The Square in Wofford Heights.

Cece Winans will perform her holiday show at Dignity Health Arena on Wednesday, Dec.

16 with special guests Angie and Debbie Winans; tickets go on sale on July 15 at 10 a.m. on AXS.com.

Hundreds of family members gathered at Walter Stiern Middle School gym on Friday to watch students perform in band, choir and orchestra — an annual summer concert that celebrates local youth and school spirit.

Bakersfield College librarian and associate professor Ariel Dyer left for Taiwan on Friday for a Fulbright Specialist Program assignment, where she will share library insights internationally.

California Resources Corp is proposing a rule change to give gas-fired power plants that bury carbon underground a boost (CRC’s plan), which the Sierra Club opposes.

The group says the move risks more pollution and calls for careful regulatory review.

Bakersfield tennis legend Hank Pfister reflected on his Wimbledon days and the local legacy of players ahead of finals this weekend — he highlighted the fading serve-and-volley style and now volunteers as a coach at the local college.

Bakersfield International Music Festival 2026

All day — CSUB Music — Registration required — A ten-day solo & chamber music program welcoming aspiring pianists and string players from 7th grade onward.

Midland Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Mechanics Bank Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening with Midland as they bring their country hits to Bakersfield.

Hat Trick Watch Experience at Dave & Buster's

12 p.m. — Dave & Buster's Bakersfield — Starting at $24.99 — Enjoy unlimited wings, fries, and video games while cheering for your favorite team on massive screens.

Comedy Night with Joe Torry

8-10 p.m. — Legends Lounge & Event Center — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening filled with side-splitting laughter from comedy legend Joe Torry.

Lefty Gunplay Concert

8-11:30 p.m. — La Movida Night Club — Tickets from $94 — Lefty Gunplay brings an unforgettable live music experience to Bakersfield.

Fireflies

7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. — Bakersfield Community Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a heartwarming tale of late-in-life romance with Eleanor Bannister.