What a day this will be on Sunday! Artists painting outdoors, demonstrations of all kinds, live country music by Mountain Laurel and living history enactments. And all, expectantly, on a glorious warm spring day.

This is one of the biggest events Bridgeport has ever presented, according to Herb Lindberg, who is in charge of the park's publicity. "We're hoping to have 400 people attend," he said. "Plus we have about 80 people-50 artists and many living history docents-who are helping to put this on."

There will be plenty for all ages to see: blacksmithing, basket weaving and about a dozen artists painting in real time. Also to do: Buy art (jewelry, gourds, photographs, ceramics, prints and wood pieces) and raffle tickets, ride in oldtime wagons and, best of all, gold pan. For the kids, this is the highlight of the day, according to Doug Leach who volunteers for the park teaching children California history, "of which gold panning is a big part in this area," he says. "We'll put into the trough Sunday everything you'd find in the river, including pyrite (fools gold), garnets (tiny, not worth much) and gold flecks, but at $1,000 an ounce, we can't put in a lot."

Maybe some of the 75 or so kids who are expected to come with their families to Sunday's event could "strike it rich." Adults, too, are invited to pan. Docents dressed as grizzled miners will show panners how to do it.

Treats for the day include hot dogs and ice cream.

The art show is being combined with the living history day for the first time. Lindberg expects it will become an annual event families can look forward to.

KNOW & GO



WHAT: Living History Day, Art Show & Sale

WHEN: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport (about 8 miles north on Pleasant Valley Road from Hwy. 20, at the river )

ADMISSION: Free

INFO: (530) 432-2546