The Bakersfield Voice

CSUB’s annual Party in the Park provides great lead in to Bakersfield Jazz Festival

By: Jennifer Burger, contributing writer

Topics: Bakersfield, CSUB, Fall Festival, jazz, Music, party in the park
The CSUB Alumni Association will once again pop the corks and caps for its annual Party in the Park on Friday, May 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at CSUB’s Alumni Park. The evening will feature samplings of some of the world’s finest wines, hand-selected by Imbibe, in addition to tasty micro-brews, great food, music and fun. Party in the Park precedes the annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival every year, which takes place Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, at the adjacent CSUB Amphitheatre. Jennifer Patino, interim CSUB alumni association director, says the event is a great pre-party for those attending the Festival later in the evening.  “Party in the Park is a great way to catch up with old friends while giving back to the university by supporting student scholarships before heading over to the Jazz Festival,” she said. “The two events have become a Bakersfield tradition for many, many of our alumni and community members.” Attendees will experience offerings by 40 labels such as Mumm Napa, Charles Krug Chardonnay Napa Valley, Alomas Melbec (Argentina), Sterling Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, Beaulieu Vineyards, Santa Carlina Carmenere (Chile), Morgan Cotes du Crows, Mulderbosch Rose (South Africa), Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico, Marc Bredif Vouvray (France), and Duas Quintas (Portugal).  For those who fancy hops over grapes, Lengthwise Brewing Company and Stella Artois will offer beer tastings. Guests will receive two complimentary glasses, one for wine and one for beer. Between sips, guests can delight their palates with a variety of hors d'oeuvres such as mini sopes, pita shawarma, and a gourmet burger station, among much more. Musical entertainment will be provided by local band Elevation 406.  Proceeds from Party in the Park go to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, which Patino said is of increasing importance these days as more and more students have difficulty affording a university education due to ongoing budget cuts that have resulted in tuition increases.  Tickets for Party in the Park are $45 in advance and $55 at the event. Package prices for Party in the Park and the Bakersfield Jazz Festival are $75 for Friday night and $95 for the full weekend. (Visit www.bakersfieldjazz.com for more on the music festival.) For more information and tickets for Party in the Park, visit www.csub.edu/alumni or call 661-654-3211. 

Party in the Park sponsors include Eagle Mountain Casino, Elevation 406, Imbibe, KGET-TV 17, Lengthwise Brewery, Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield and Stella Artois.