by Kathy Eide Casas

Welcome to the inspiring beauty that can only be found along the Fresno County Blossom Trail. This 60-mile stretch of nature at its finest showcases the blossoming stone fruit orchards, citrus groves, vineyards and historical points of interest.

Recently ‘officially’ opened for the 27th season, the trail provides a springtime panorama for folks from near and far to enjoy. Visitors to this showy landscape of blossoming stone fruit and citrus trees will enjoy acre after acre of Fresno County’s majestic natural scenes.

Named as one of the top blossom attractions in the world by British Travel Magazine, this self-guided tour stretches through welcoming small town communities all along the way. Featured throughout the years for its splendid beauty, the Fresno County Blossom Trail has also been showcased in Via and Motorland magazines, and the Los Angeles Times. It is estimated that this free showcase brings between 20 – 30 thousand visitors to Fresno County during the concentrated 4-5 week period of beauty.

Kristi Johnson, Fresno County Tourism Manager, explained, “This is an opportunity to bring people into Fresno County from more metro areas, including our own metro areas, to appreciate what’s right in their own back yard and to expose them to agriculture. We want people to be passionate about agriculture and about preserving that way of life and the Blossom Trail does just that.”

At the newly enhanced Blossom Trail website, www.goblossomtrail.com, visitors can quickly and easily find everything Blossom Trail related, including a, “Stay Updated” section where the latest blossom updates are reported by residents, farms and Blossom Trail supporters. Directions, information regarding the self-guided tours, weekend activities, stops along the way including the farm stores, wineries, activities, shopping, dining and all the how-to’s are simple to find. For a more personal touch, visitors to the Blossom Trail are also encouraged to share their digital photos by sending them to tourism@co.fresno.ca[dot]us. Blossom updates are also communicated to followers via Twitter @goblossomtrail.

Visitors can immerse themselves in a full day of the trail by enjoying all that the neighboring communities have to offer. Each community offers a full array of stops in Fowler, Selma, Sanger, Kingsburg, Reedley and Orange Cove, where delicious dining options, wine tastings and the charm of their downtown shops awaits.

For those who would like to enjoy the beauty of the trail all year long, the annual poster is on sale now. This year’s 2015 Blossom Trail Poster, by local artist Jennifer Hubbard, is available for sale at several Blossom Trail Partners including the Chambers of Commerce in Kingsburg, Sanger, Reedley, Selma, and the County Office of Tourism. The cost is $25. For a signed poster or $20. for unsigned. Posters may also be shipped through the Sanger Chamber of Commerce at www.sanger.org.

Listed below are just a few of the upcoming Blossom Trail Activities. For the complete list of all of the fun activities as well as up to the minute information, to to their website. Treat yourself to a day of blooming fun, right here in your own backyard!

26th Annual Kings River Blossom Bike Ride
March 7, 2015 – Saturday
Reedley, CA
www.blossombikeride.com

27th Annual Blossom Days Festival and Car Show
March 7, 2015 – Saturday
Sanger, CA
www.sanger.org

18th Annual Blossom Trail 10k Run
March 7, 2015 – Saturday
Sanger, CA
ci.sanger.ca.us/parksrec15btr.asp

Blossom Trail Wine Weekend
March 7 & 8, 2015 – Saturday & Sunday
Sanger, Kingsburg & Tivy Valley, CA
www.gofresnocounty.com/seasonal

Blossom Trail Train Rides, Hillcrest Farm, Reedley
March 7/8, 14/15, and 21/22

Orange Cove Blossom Festival
April 11, 2015 – Saturday
Orange Cove, CA
www.gofresnocounty.com/seasonal

The non-profit Fresno County Blossom Trail is a collaborative effort with Fresno County joining with the trail’s partner cities (Sanger, Kingsburg, Orange Cove, Reedley, Fowler, and Selma) in eastern Fresno County to welcome springtime visitors to the region. The Fresno County Blossom Trail is pleased to partner with official Title Sponsor, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), who continues to support the Trail’s offerings including the Blossom Trail Art Contest held in conjunction with the Fresno Fair. The Blossom Trail also recognizes the Sanger Rotary Foundation for their ongoing support.

Kathy Eide Casas Kathy Eide Casas is a valley native and has been involved in politics, public policy and public relations her entire career. From the U. S. and state capitols to local projects, she has been a guiding force. Most recently, Eide-Casas completed the writing for two U Turns Allowed magazines, benefiting Focus Forward. Additionally, her work has run in several other local publications, including Valley Health Magazine.