Fundraiser lights up Kern County Museum
Sometimes the goal is simple. In the case of Saturday’s Get Lit at the Kern County Museum, it includes making sure everyone enjoys the endless beverages.
“We pump everybody full of margaritas before the auction,” joked Brenna Charatsaris, the museum’s events director.
The unlimited margaritas, provided by local company Margarita Lizard, will be available in three flavors along with a selection of beers and hard seltzers to live up to one variation on the event’s name. (Nonalcoholic beverages will also be served.)
In its third year, Get Lit is a fundraiser that makes the most of one of the museum’s most eye-catching features: the Mission Bank Neon Plaza, featuring at least 40 restored neon signs reflecting Kern County history and its love of the illuminated sign.
New additions include four signs that were recently acquired and restored.
Perhaps best known is the iconic Milt’s Coffee Shop sign, which came down in November when new owner Roger Coughenour changed the name, making the business his latest Old River Grill. (Coughenour bought Milt’s in October 2022 from owner Mark Huggs, whose father, Milton “Milt” Huggs, opened it in 1964.)
The sign, featuring Milt’s logo with an upside-down fork forming the “M,” now resides under the one for Andre’s Drive-In, which came to the museum in 2020.
Also new is a sign for Hotel Lebec, the last major structure in place on the Ridge Route that saw many high-profile guests, including movie star couple Clark Gable and Carole Lombard and gangster Benny “Bugsy” Siegel, during its run from 1921 to 1968.
The Fierro Shoe Shop, known for its shoe repair services in its base of operations in the 300 block of South King Street in east Bakersfield, is also represented by a restored sign.
And the old Bail Bond Leon sign, which was visible off Chester Avenue for decades, also now calls the neon plaza home.
These signs join the existing lineup that includes Far East Cafe, the Silver Fox, Jolly Kone, Sinaloa,
Tops Market, Amestoy’s on the Hill, Regent Cocktails and more.
Capturing the moment will be plein air artists such as Charlotte White, creating works that evening that will be up for auction along with other artwork.
Guests at Get Lit can enjoy an evening lit by the vibrant neon while listening to the music of the Valley Fever Band, dancing if the mood strikes them.
Fresco Mexican Grill will provide a Mexican buffet that will include carne asada, grilled chicken, rice and beans and all the accompaniments, including pickled radishes, cilantro and an assortment of salsas.
This festive event, which is the most popular 21-and-over fundraiser for the museum, gives guests a fun way to see contributions at work, Charatsaris said.
“It’s one thing to write a check to the museum. This way you get to see exactly what you get to contribute to, and you can visit. It’s extra special.”
Funds raised will go to benefit ongoing projects at the museum including a “mini face-lift” for the Lori Brock Discovery Center.