KERN COUNTY POET LAUREATE: PORTIA CHOI
UPCOMING EVENTS: Monday, September 21 – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
— Portia Choi shares her original Peace Poem at ceremony: 6-7pm
Peace Pole at Sister Cities Garden at 605 18th Street
— near Mill Creek Park.
Did you know that Bakersfield has 5 Sister Cities?
Yes! Our community leaders have forged ties with the following cities:
Amritsar, India – Bakersfield’s Sikh & Punjabi leaders spearheaded this connection in 2009.
Cixi, China – 1996 – Bakersfield City and Cixi school children have exchanged artworks! Cixi’s were displayed at the Bakersfield Art Museum.
Wakayama, Japan – Every Bakersfield mayor since 1964 has visited Wakayama, and visa versa! Also known as “The Sacred Mountain”.
Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico – 2005 – originally an Aztec city, also known as “The Cradle of Mexican Independence”.
Bucheon, Republic of Korea – This Sister City tie was forged in 2006 and Bucheon presented 10,000 Korean Language books to the Beale Library!
COME CELEBRATE OUR WORLD-WIDE CONNECTIONS!
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
Stay tuned to our Kern Poetry Home Page for the next Open Mic and Poetry Events!
