Sandy Brinley, chairperson for the 100th Anniversary of Oakhurst Committee, has a vision and hopes the merchants of Oakhurst can help make the vision a realty.

In memory of the original Mountaineer Days that was held annually from the 60s through the early 90s, the committee is encouraging Oakhurst merchants to display decorative bunting at their business for the 16th Annual Mountain Heritage Days and as a tribute to Oakhurst's 100th birthday.

The two-day celebration, sponsored by the Sierra Historic Sites Association, will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15. This year's theme is "Saving the Past for the Future."

Festivities begin Friday evening with the presentation of the mini-melodrama "The Fastidious Finagling Fiasco Fixing Fresno Flats" at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park on School Road (427). Food, along with vendors, will be available at 5 p.m. and the mini-melodrama will be presented at 6:30 p.m.

"To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Oakhurst, it is important that our community comes together and this is an easy way for all the merchants in town to be a part of the celebration," Brinley said.

The red, white and blue bunting is designed to hang off a railing, building eves or under a window.

"It would be wonderful if the entire town was covered in bunting prior to the two-day event," Brinley said. "The bunting will really make the store fronts look festive."

Brinley said some merchants have the bunting from previous events and for those who do not, it is available at True Value Home Center in Oakhurst.

In addition to the bunting, Dick Killingsworth, event chairman of Mountain Heritage Days for Sierra Historic Sites Association, would like to encourage all the Oakhurst merchants to dress in period clothing the week of Mountain Heritage Days.

"The towns people are being asked to help make this year's Mountain Heritage Days a memorable event, especially since this year is the town's 100th birthday," said Killingsworth. "The Golden Chain Theatre is allowing the public to rent period costumes from their wardrobe department at a very reasonable price."

Descendants of Fresno Flat encouraged to participate

All Mountain Area descendants of residents of Fresno Flats in 1912 or before are being sought to be honored as Grand Marshals of this year's Mountain Heritage Days and ride in Sept. 15 parade. Pioneer family members are encouraged to contact Brinley to participate at (559) 683-7027.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. and travel along School Road (427) from Yosemite High School to Crane Valley Road (426), passing the Sierra Star and ending at Grant Mercantile on Golden Oak Drive.

Parade applications are still being accepted for commercial, non-commercial and charitable organization floats, bands, marching units, adult and children walking groups, equestrian groups, individuals and hitch drawn wagons, antique and classic cars, dancers, clowns, bicycles and historical theme entries. There is a $10 entry fee per category and parade awards will be presented at 2 p.m. at Fresno Flats.

Parade application are on line at fresnoflatsmuseum.org, Fresno Flats Museum or Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Major fund raiser for Fresno Flats

Mountain Heritage Days is a key fundraiser for the all-volunteer Sierra Historic Sites Association that manages and operates Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park.

The village recaptures the flavor of 19th Century in the Sierra Nevada foothills and Mountain Area of Eastern Madera County. The village is built two restored and furnished homes dating to the 1870s. Both homes, Laramore-Lyman House and the Taylor Log House, have been designated by the State of California as Points of Historic Interest.

The village also features a pair of early-day one-room schools, two 19th Century jails, recreated blacksmith and print shops and a museum and gift shop.

Restoration and maintenance of the village since its inception in 1975 has been accomplished through donated labor, supplies and funds. The organization receives no state or county funding.

The museum gift shop, in addition to Willow Bridge Books and the Yosemite Sierra Visitor Bureau, has 100th Anniversary t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts available.

Details: Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park, (559) 683-6570, Oakhurst100.com, Golden Chain period costumes, Mary Lou Finley, (559) 683-3789.