The Nevada City Farmer’s Market will run Saturday mornings starting at 8:30 from June 19 to October 30, 2010. The market features many interesting vendors and artists in addition to locally grown fruits and vegetables. Live musical entertainment is also provided.

The five living U.S. Presidents, pictured in Nevada City last year, will return along with the 39 late U.S. Presidents to march in the 44th Annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade.

All 44 presidents in the history of the United States, from George Washington to Barack Obama, will gather in the picturesque Sierra foothills village of Nevada City, California on Sunday, Sept. 12, to march together in the town’s 44th Annual Constitution Day Parade.

This is believed to be the singular time and place on the planet where all American Presidents gather together, partisan politics aside, to celebrate the U.S. Constitution and American way of life.

Accompanied by their First Ladies and cadres of trench-coated secret service agents, the Marching Presidents are made up of citizens from all walks of life. They have been entertaining crowds at the Nevada City parade for 23 years. It is their only annual appearance, although they have received several requests to march in other parades.

The 44th Annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade moves a down a flag and bunting-draped Broad Street through historic downtown Nevada City at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. The Marching Presidents are among more than 80 entries.

The Marching Presidents is a fun-loving and educational group that portrays all 44 U.S. Presidents with reverence, good humor and varying degrees of historical accuracy. To learn more about the group, see www.marchingpresidents.org. For reliable information on U.S. Presidents, see www.americanpresident.org.

Two of Nevada City’s most prolific volunteers, George and Pat Harper, have been named as grand marshals of the 44th Annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade.

The grand marshals were announced Tuesday (Aug. 24) by Nevada City Constitution Day Commission Chairman Dennis Cassella.

The Harpers have been members of the Nevada City Constitution Day Commission since it was formed in 1987 and have coordinated the annual Constitution Day Parade since 1989.  They have also conducted Nevada City’s Fourth of July parades for several years.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, as always on parade days, the longtime Nevada City couple will be at the top of Broad Street, making sure the parade runs in an orderly fashion.

They will take a few minutes off to ride down Broad Street in a horsedrawn carriage as this year’s grand marshals.  They will then resume their duties at the staging area.

After 20 years, the couple still rejoices in Nevada City’s parades.

“It’s just fun, we love it,” says George Harper.  “We know what we’re doing and they keep asking us to do it.

“Nevada City is the best little city in the world and it’s my hometown,” he said.  “We just want to do our part.”

Harper, a Nevada City native, is retired from a 30-year career with the Nevada County Dept. of Public Works.  Pat Harper retired from the Nevada County Superior Court.

George Harper is a 24-year member and past master of the Nevada City Masonic Lodge (Nevada Lodge No. 13), the group that founded and continues to sponsor the annual Constitution Day Parade.  The Harpers are also active in Evangeline Chapter No. 9, Order of the Eastern Star.

They are enthusiastic volunteers for the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, where George volunteers every Monday morning.  Both donate blood on a regular basis and are among Nevada County’s leading blood donors.

Due to his extraordinary community acitivities, George Harper was selected in 1996 to carry the Olympic Torch as it passed through nearby Marysville.

The rural Nevada City residents have three daughters and three grandsons.

The annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade, a local tradition since 1967, is expected to include about 80 entries this year, including at least seven marching bands.  The traditional community parade rolls down Broad Street at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12.

The Constitution Day celebration is sponsored by Nevada Lodge No. 13, F.&A.M. in Nevada City, the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City and the Nevada City Constitution Day Commission.

Like many of Nevada County’s fine events, the annual Constitution Day Celebration in Nevada City is made possible through the support of the local community.

The all-volunteer Nevada City Constitution Day Commission has recognized the groups, citizens and businesses who have made financial contributions to this year’s celebration.

Commission Chairman Dennis Cassella said this year’s supporters include Nevada Lodge No. 13, F.&A.M., the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City, Baker/Tintle Nevada City Properties, Order of the Eastern Star, SPD Markets, Bonanza Market, The Fur Traders, Las Katarinas Mexican Restaurant, Terry Armstrong, Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital, Sierra Gold Insurance, Shaw’s Antiques, Round Table Pizza, McSweeney & Associates, Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty, Nevada City United Methodist Church, Conner & Conner Construction, Nevada City city engineer Bill Falconi and retired Nevada County librarian Madelyn Helling.

The 44th Annual Constitution Day Celebration includes a full weekend of fun on Sept. 11-12, culminating with the 44th Annual Constitution Day Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

For more information and a complete weekend schedule of events, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, 132 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959. Call the chamber at (530) 265-2692 or see www.nevadacitychamber.com.

The 44th Annual Constitution Day Parade tops a full weekend of festivities Sept.11-12 in this colorful Gold Rush town.

Nevada City’s Constitution Day Parade has been a local tradition since 1967 and is reported to be the oldest and largest Constitution observance in western America.

The 2 p.m. Sunday parade features about 100 entries and caps a number of other activities including Civil War reenactments in Pioneer Park , the Gold Country Duck Race on the rapids of Deer Creek and a free outdoor big band concert featuring the Nevada County Concert Band in the downtown historic district.

The parade through the heart of downtown Nevada City includes floats, antique autos, equestrians, politicians and perennial crowd favorites such as the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band and the Famous Marching Presidents of Nevada City. At least seven marching bands will participate in this year’s event.

Nevada City is known for its classic small town spirit and unique events. With an official population of just 3,001, Nevada City swells to thousands more on Constitution Day.

Celebrants should plan to arrive about an hour before parade time to get a good vantage point along the parade route. Out-of-town visitors should book local accommodations early.

Sunday parade-goers may park for free at the Nevada County Government Center on Highway 49 and ride an event shuttle to the downtown parade. All-day fares (10am-6pm) are $3 per individual or family, and free to those in historical costume and youth 12 and under.

Weekend Events

SATURDAY, Sept. 11

Pancake Breakfast: Seaman’s Lodge, Pioneer Park, 7-10:30am, $6

Gold Country Duck Race “The KenDucky Derby”: Deer Creek, Downtown Nevada City, 11am-3pm

Civil War Reenactments: Pioneer Park, 1pm and 4pm

Nevada County Concert Band, Free Concert: Pine Street, 5:30-7pm

Classic Cars & Hot Rod Cruise-In: Broad Street, 5:30-8pm

SUNDAY, Sept. 12

Pancake Breakfast: Seaman’s Lodge, Pioneer Park 7-10:30am, $6

Civil War Reenactment: Pioneer Park, 11am

44th Annual Constitution Day Parade: Broad Street, 2pm

Nevada City is located on the forested western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. From Sacramento, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn and Highway 49 north to Nevada City. From Reno, take westbound I-80 and westbound State Route 20.

For more information and a complete weekend schedule of events, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, 132 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959.  Or, call the chamber at (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY.

Community leader Sean Metroka has been elected chairman of the Nevada City Constitution Day Commission, the volunteer group that plans the annual Constitution Day Celebration.

Elected by unanimous vote of the commission on Aug. 4, Metroka takes over leadership of the group beginning in 2011. He succeeds 20-year commission member Dennis Cassella who is stepping down as chairman following this year’s event.

Metroka and his wife Margaret reside in Nevada City and are the parents of three children. He works as court executive officer for the Superior Court of Nevada County.

He is currently president of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, chair of the advisory council of North Star DeMolay, a board member of the Nevada Union HS Football Boosters Club, and a member of Nevada Lodge No. 13, F.&A.M., and the 49er Rotary Breakfast Club of Nevada City.

Metroka is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves where he attained the rank of colonel during a 32-year career in reserve and active duty.

This year’s Constitution Day Celebration includes a full weekend of activities on Sept. 11-12, culminating with the 44th Annual Constitution Day Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

For more information and a complete weekend schedule of events, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, 132 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959, or call the chamber at (530) 265-2692 .

A famous local tradition, the Sidewalk Sale is not to be missed! Saturday, August 28th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. stroll through beautiful historic Nevada City and snap up some sidewalk bargains provided by the many unique and interesting retailers in the area.

Come and peruse the work of over 50 unique local artisans. This event features handmade items, vintage goods, jewelry, art, crafts, housewares, clothing, stationery, books, and more. The Craft Fair will also feature children’s activities and live entertainment.

More information here.

The Nevada County Concert Band will present a free concert this Sunday August 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Pioneer Park in Nevada City. Bring your picnic or treat yourself from the hot dog or ice cream vendors, and enjoy the grassy park setting with your family and friends.

With the theme “Musical Chairs,” this family-friendly outdoor concert features our many soloists, ensembles, and other attractions, each taking a turn in the hot seat. More information.

August 19-22nd the Nevada City Film Festival presented by AJA Video will celebrate their 10-year anniversary with four days of film screenings, filmmaking panel discussions and parties. Each year thousands of film buffs and filmmakers travel from around the world to gather for one long fun-filled weekend in Nevada City and Grass Valley to enjoy the best in independent filmmaking. This year over 40 short films and a handful of feature lengths showcasing filmmaking’s rising talent as well as established directors will be screened in three locations including the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley and the Miners Foundry Cultural Center and Nevada Theatre in Nevada City.

This year’s festival special guests are comedians Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim of the cult television show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job. Together they will be presenting a special screening of shorts and music videos from the show. The Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is a sketch comedy television series on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim that has featured a variety of actors and comedians such as John C. Reilly, Neil Hamburger, “Weird Al” Yankovich, David Cross, Zach Galifianakis, Will Forte, and Jeff Goldblumm among others. The popular Nevada City Film Festival Comedy Show also returns with Heidecker headlining. The festival favorite sold out last year and features six comedians.

Go to nevadacityfilmfestival.com for more information on tickets, venues and a full program guide of this year’s selected films.