Cal Fire photo by Virginia Lazar
OAKHURST — Mountain Heritage Day and Parade at Fresno Flats Historical Park and Museum are right around the corner, with the Parade stepping off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16 and a full day’s array of old-fashioned fun, food and entertainment, 1800s-style.
The folks at Fresno Flats want parade watchers to visit Fresno Flats Historical Park, once the parade is finished, and say hello to Parade Grand Marshal Jackie Byers and Fresno Flats Volunteer of the Year Debby Carter. During the parade, you can “shout out your support as they pass and then swing by for a chat,” says Fresno Flats volunteer Brenda Negley. “They’d love to see you!”
In other Parade news, the Tehran Shriner Clowns will take to the streets this year. Shriner Clowns are associated with Shriner Hospitals, where there is no cost charged to families of children receiving treatment for conditions including orthopedic care, burn, cleft lip and palate care, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The Shriner Clowns have several parade units and organizers at Fresno Flats say they are looking forward to the smiles the clowns will bring to parade watchers this weekend.
Shonna Alexander
This is the 21st annual celebration of the event, with the theme – “Saving the Past for the Future.” The museum and park come alive with activities to celebrate the 19th-century heritage of Oakhurst. This is a wonderful family and community event and it’s free.
See flyer below for details.
The annual parade, led by the YHS Cadet Corps, includes marching bands, vintage cars, floats, fire trucks, clowns and more. The route travels approximately 1.5 miles from Yosemite High School down School Road (Road 427), turns right onto Crane Valley Road (Rd 426) and finishes at Golden Oak Drive.
Among the cultural activities taking place during the day at Fresno Flats, artist Shonna Alexander will be working on a mural in the museum. When complete, it will be a welcome addition to the current Chukchansi display showcasing history and stories. Guests will be able to view Ms. Alexander’s working on the mural throughout the day and she will be available to visit with anyone who is interested.
2015
Following the parade, there will be food and drink booths with a separate beer booth. Vendors will have items available to purchase, demonstrators will show what life was like in the 1800s, the blacksmith shop and printing press will be open, fiber artists and gold panners will show you how it was done, and you may even want to have your picture taken in the jail. Docents will also be available for tours.
Parade awards will be announced at 2 p.m., and don’t forget to check out the silent auction in the Cunningham School House before it closes at 5 p.m.
Live music will begin before lunchtime and play throughout the day.
- Yosemite Jazz Band from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Phil Miller from 2 – 5 p.m.
- Wack-A-Mole from 5 – 8 p.m.
A wine and cheese tasting in the Beulah Mills Garden will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The evening will bring a chuck wagon-style dinner with chili, corn bread, salad and a lemon cake dessert. Dinner prices are less than half of the price last year – adults are just $10, with children at $5.
For further information call Fresno Flats at 559-683-6570 or visit the website at www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org.
