The 44th Annual Constitution Day Parade tops a weekend of festivities Sept.11-12, 2010 in this historic California 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 more than 100 entries and culminates other activities including Civil War battle reenactments in Pioneer Park, the Gold Country Duck Race on Deer Creek and a free outdoor big band concert in the downtown historic district

The parade through the downtown historic district includes marching bands, 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, a humorous but reverent group that portrays each U.S. president.

Members of the American Civil War Association offer living history and battle reenactments at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and at 11 a.m. Sunday in Pioneer Park. More than 200 military and settler reenactors are expected to take part.

Nevada City is known for its classic small town spirit and unique events. With a population of 3000, Nevada City swells to 10,000 or 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.

Nevada City is located on the 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, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, 132 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959. Call the chamber at (530) 265-2692 or 1-800-655-NJOY.