The annual Groveland 49er Festival is bigger and better than ever, with a much larger offering for youth than we have seen before – and all these new and awesome offerings are free.

Events include skateboard demonstrations and competition, sponsored by GAINs and the Skate Park Committee; Wii Games, sponsored by GAINs; rock band and guitar hero competitions, sponsored by the Iron Door Saloon, benefiting the Tenaya Parent Preschool; and a fashion show, sponsored by Trendy 120.

The 2009 children’s events, sponsored by Lauree Borup at Remax Yosemite Gold and Helping Hands include the petting zoo, bounce house and many arts and crafts. These are all free.

Appearing on our main stage is California Dreamin’, who will take the audience on a musical journey through the Golden State. It’s a fully themed, live theatrical stage presentation that will rock your world with “special guest appearances” by Jerry Garcia, Mama Cass, Janice Joplin, Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, and a short Beatles medley featuring John and Paul, commemorating the final United States appearance by The Fab Four held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco August 1966. Hosting the musical festivities will be DJ Randy Meranz, direct from The Hawk 104.1. There will be a special guest appearance by The New Favorites.

The slate of events starts with Rebekah’s pancake breakfast at 7 am at the Groveland Community Hall. Then, walk outside in time for the airplane fly-by starting at 8:45, directly over the parade route. There is no other town in the Mother Lode with its own fly-by.

The parade starts right at 9 am. Secure your place early, as it does get crowded.

Parade headquarters will be the Hotel Charlotte, with judging from their second story balcony.

Immediately after the parade, the events in Mary Laveroni Park begin. There, you can watch the presentation of Citizen of the Year and parade awards on the center stage.

Pizza by the slice will be presented by Two Guys Pizza. All profits from the pizza will be donated to the Tenaya Parent Preschool.

At high noon, the chili tasting and cook-off starts. Bring your empty stomach and Pepto and have a grand time. You will be entertained by our live music and will enjoy browsing through more than 50 booths chock full of local information and artists’ wares.

There are many very cool auction items to bid on with Groveland’s own supreme auctioneer – Lynn Upthagrove. Included are casino stays, San Francisco Giants tickets, and many more special items.

The parade is along Highway 120 – Main Street in Groveland. The festival and music are in Mary Laveroni Park at the east end of Groveland. All the festivities are sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce.