Big Parade, Celebration in Nevada City Sept. 9-10, 2006.
Each year since 1967, this small Sierra Gold Rush town has celebrated the U.S. Constitution with a parade that is now recognized as the oldest and largest Constitution Day observance in Western America.
This year's 40th Annual Nevada City Constitution Day Parade moves through historic downtown Nevada City on Sunday, Sept. 10, beginning at 2 p.m.
With several hundred participants, the festive parade features four marching bands and dozens of entries, including the ever-popular Marching Presidents of Nevada City, who portray each U.S. President from George Washington to George W. Bush, accompanied by an assortment of First Ladies, secret service agents and others.
To celebrate this year's parade theme, “Freedom of Speech,” Nevada County media leaders are featured in the parade. They include newspaper publishers Jeff Ackerman and Mike Dobbins and radio station managers Bob Breck and David Levin.
Grand marshal of the parade is Frederick L. Sorsabal, who is Grand Master of Masons in California. The Nevada City Masonic Lodge is a cosponsor of the parade.
The Sunday parade caps a full weekend of activities in historic Nevada City. The action opens at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with “Aloha Duck,” the 49er Rotary Club's annual Gold Country Duck Race on the rapids of Deer Creek at the foot of Broad Street. The race features more than 10,000 toy ducks racing for a $5000 first prize, $1000 second prize, $500 third prize and many other prizes; along with food, drink and a children's carnival. To adopt a racing duck call (530) 272-DUCK.
Weekend action also includes colorful, smoke-filled battle reenactments and living history by the American Civil War Association at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday in Pioneer Park. More than 200 military and settler reenactors are expected to take part before joining in the Sunday parade.
Sunday's pre-parade activities on Broad Street include a free concert by the Nevada County Concert Band at 12:30 p.m. and a reenactment of the signing of the U.S. Constitution at 1:30 p.m. After the parade, the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band performs a concert on Broad Street.
Known for its lively community events and classic small town spirit, Nevada City has a population of just 3001 but swells by thousands on Constitution Day.
To ease traffic and parking concerns, a shuttle service from the Nevada County Government Center on Highway 49 will carry visitors to Saturday's activities and the Sunday parade. Fares are $1 all day; those in period costumes and youths under 18 ride for free.
The Constitution Day celebration is sponsored by Nevada Lodge No. 13, F.&A.M., the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City and the Nevada City Constitution Day Committee.
Nevada City is located on the western slope of the Sierra, midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. From Sacramento, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn, then Highway 49 north. From the north valley, take eastbound Highway 20. From Reno and Tahoe, take westbound I-80 and state scenic route 20.
For a complete weekend schedule of events as well as lodging and other information, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, 132 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959. Call (530) 265-2692 or 1-800-655-NJOY.
