Pick cherries by the bucket

More than two dozen cherry orchards in Leona Valley (just west of Palmdale) open for pick-your-own business this week, and locals celebrate the season with a parade, barbecue and crafts fair June 14.

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Leona Valley Cherry Orchards host "U-Pic" harvesting in June and July. For information, directions and a map to orchards go to www. cherriesupic.com. The Cherry Information Hotline, (661) 266-7116, has updated picking news.