Cherry Festival roots go way back

By Trina Kleist

Staff Writer

A lot has changed in North San Juan since its Gold Rush heyday, when 10,000 miners occupied the hills and cherry orchards grew between claims.

Few miners or cherry trees remain, but 109 years after it started, the Cherry Festival continues to draw folks together in an act of community pride.

"The whole community gets involved with it," said Sue Bauer, organizer of the parade that starts at 10 a.m. today in the center of what is now a village that straddles Highway 49 about 10 miles northwest of Nevada City.

The festival, which follows the parade and lasts until 5 p.m., includes food, crafts, art, a dunk tank, activities and music: The Littles will play country, and Shady Creek will play rock, Bauer said.

Taiko Drummers will start the day, and Troupe de Trash will have a fashion show at 4 p.m., she added.

The event raises money to support the North San Juan Activities and Improvement Center, which houses a library and meeting room.

John Mack, a resident who hails from Zimbabwe, will display the world's largest chunk of opal - flint-napping-grade rock mined from northwestern Nevada.

To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.