Trail Mix for April 15: National Park Week arrives

The National Park Service, celebrating its centennial year, is offering free entry to all of its parks, recreation areas and monuments from Saturday through April 24.

Nearby Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Pinnacles National Park are among those joining the party by hosting their own events as part of National Park Week.

At Yosemite, the celebration culminates April 23 with the Earth Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are hosting their Earth Day celebration from 9 a.m. to noon April 22 at the nursery, where volunteers will help move plants and collect seeds. April 23 is Junior Ranger Day and will feature exploration stations as well as other offerings at the Foothills and Kings Canyon visitor centers.

While admission will be free, camping and all other fees, including reservations, concessions and rentals, will still be enforced.

Garage sale – REI’s members-only garage sale is Saturday, when adventurers can find cheap and discounted gear.

The store will hand out numbered wristbands at 4 p.m., with the lottery draw at 5 p.m. Memberships can be purchased on site for $20. All sales are final.

The REI Outdoor School will host a free 90-minute introductory workshop on mountain biking at 1 p.m. Sunday. Space is limited.

Details: www.rei.com/fresno

Footloose in the Foothills – Take in the outdoors next weekend with the Footloose in the Foothills 10K Trail Run on the McKenzie Preserve. The event, which has a 5K option, is April 23.

Awards will be given to overall male and female winners and age-group winners (10-year increments). There will be finisher medals for youths 12 and younger.

Registration of $35 per person increases $5 on race day.

Details: www.sierrafoothill.org

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 9:02 PM with the headline "Trail Mix for April 15: National Park Week arrives."