WHO’S WHO IN STORIES

There are nine stops for this year’s Stories on the Sidewalk with each exploring a different person or topic from Kern County history: Cesar Chavez: Labor leader and civil rights activist. Portrayed by Bobby Gamez in a scene with the Virgin of Guadalupe (Natalia Mercado); written by Louis Medina.

Dorothy Donahoe: State assemblywoman who helped establish California’s first master plan for higher education, laying the groundwork for Cal State Bakersfield. Portrayed by Julie Jordan-Scott in a scene with a high school student (Faith Hall); written by Jennifer Self. Rafer Johnson: Olympic gold medalist and advocate for the local special needs community. Portrayed by Shaquille Hill; written by Beth Pandol.

Father Garces: The Spanish Franciscan friar who first discovered the Tejon Pass into the San Joaquin Valley. Portrayed by Juan Quinonez; written by Louis Medina.

Dust Bowl migration: Discussing the great migration of hundreds from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas who headed west to escape the Dust Bowl, an ecological disaster that struck the southern Great Plains. Portrayed in a scene with fictional characters Great-Gramma Thelma (Verda Varner) and Caitlyn (Varner’s granddaughter); written by Andi Hicks

Fred Maddox: Country musician best known for performing with his siblings as the Maddox Brothers and Rose from the 1930s through the ‘50s. Portrayed by Alex Mitts; written by Robert Price.

Spanish Flu epidemic: 1918 influenza pandemic that killed millions, infecting about a third of the world’s population in four waves over two years. Discussed in a scene between Leonard Atkins (Perrin Swanson) and Sarah (Kelsey Morrow); written by Neill D. Hicks. William Hood: Southern Pacific civil engineer responsible for constructing the railway through California’s Tehachapi Pass including the Loop. Portrayed by Trenton Benet; written by Jerry Mathes. Avelino Martinez: Horse groomer for outlaw Joaquin Murrieta who later worked at Tejon Ranch then Cummings Ranch in Tehachapi. Portrayed by Sam Mercado; written by Lois Henry.