Trail Mix for April 28: Fresno Field Archers celebrate 60 years with annual ‘Safari’
The Fresno Field Archers turn 60 years old this year and as with every milestone there is a hearty celebration planned.
Upward of 500 people are expected for the 60th annual Safari Shoot this weekend at the group’s 38-acre range in Dunlap.
As one of the longest running archery events in the country, the Safari saw its heyday in the 1980s and ’90s with crowds of more than 1,200 for the two-day competition, according to archers media liaison Brad Stevens.
The crowds have begun to grow again, with about 400 on hand each of the past two years.
This year, Stevens expects another surge considering the 60th anniversary tie-in.
In festive fashion, the Safari will have 60 stations for 60 years, including a dozen life-size 3-D foam animals. Archers will shoot at various “animals” and painted or printed targets from varying distances.
The biggest target – an African elephant – will be 101 yards from the shooter. A rhinoceros and gorilla also are among crowd favorites, Stevens said.
Competition on Saturday and Sunday is open to the public; participants need their own bow (traditional or compound). Registration is $25-$35 per child and $45 per adult, though discounted rates of $65 per couple and $70 per family are available. Day-of registration opens at 7:30 a.m., with shooting at 9 a.m. both days.
Dry camping is available on the adjacent property or Squaw Valley Rodeo Grounds. Food and snack sales will be available.
Details: fresnofieldarchers.com
Black Mountain hikes – The Sierra Foothill Conservancy is hosting its annual open preserve day at Black Mountain on Saturday.
The preserve will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also that day at the McKenzie Table Top Preserve, the conservancy is offering a Boling Gap Hike and Yoga.
The event is free for members and $10 for non-members. Sign up at sierrafoothill.org.
River Camp – The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust announced this week that it has opened registration for its numerous river camps offered this summer.
They are: the Young Explorers camp, for children ages 3 1/2 through kindergarten; River Camp Scout Island for children in grades 1 through 8; and River Camp Firebaugh, a four-week camp for grades 1 through 6. High schoolers are encouraged to apply as junior leaders.
Camps begin the week of June 14 and run through August. Young Explorers are half-day camps Tuesdays through Thursdays, while the other sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration is $100 for the Young Explorers, $230 for the River Camp Scout Island and $45 per week for River Camp Firebaugh. Scholarship applications are available on the website.
Visit riverparkway.org and click on River Camps under the Things To Do tab.
Run for Meals – Poverello House will host its fourth annual Run for Meals 5K on May 14 at Woodward Park.
The event (including a 2-mile walk) is a fundraiser for the longtime Fresno outreach, which provides more than 1,500 meals per day. The race will start at Sunset View Shelter at 7:15 a.m., with the walkers at 7:30.
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children 9 and younger. Prices increase $5 on May 8. Sign up at poverellohouse.org/5krun
This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Trail Mix for April 28: Fresno Field Archers celebrate 60 years with annual ‘Safari’."