Idyllwild’s Rotary Club volunteers are planning another big Independence Day parade this Thursday.
Organizer Bob Parish said the parade has about 80 entrants and people are still calling him with more entries. That compares to about 60 entrants last year.
Grace Moore, 91, of Gracie’s Thrift Shop, is this year’s grand marshal.
On a sad note, last year’s grand marshal, Pat Parish, Bob’s wife, passed away. “It won’t be the same. My Pat won’t be there,” said Bob. “I realize how much work she did for the parade now.”
Three bands, including the University of California, Riverside, Pipe Band, Llanos de Michoaban mariachis and the Musikats are featured this year.
The mariachi band also plays at La Casita that day.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at Fern Valley Corners.
Ken Dahleen’s Dixieland six, the Musikats, will ride on a parade float performing New Orleans-style swing. The Musikats feature Dahleen on clarinet, Keith Droste on keyboard, Jack Poster on trumpet, Bill Tole on trombone, Jeff Stover on bass and Andy Fraga Jr. on drums.
Following the parade, the Idyllwild Town Crier and Visitors Center invites the public to stop by to celebrate its grand opening.
The Livingroom Ramblers with Don Reed, and Scott Foster will perform. Ramblers includes Kent Steele on dobro, Kent Weishaus on guitar and vocals, and Jack Clark on bass.
Artist Liz Powers’ handcrafted paintings, pendants and pillows are for sale at 25330 Scenic Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Phillip Espinoza’s Native American Arts Week lecture, “Akway Nyewaa: Coming Back Home,” is at noon in the Krone Library on the Idyllwild Arts campus.
Also on campus is a Native American Fashion Show (see page 18) at 7 p.m. Friday in the IAF Theatre. The Cahuilla Birdsingers open the event.
And at 8 a.m. Saturday, Mark Tahbo of the Hopi Tewa will fire pots as part of the Native American Arts Week at the Kennedy Kiln Yard. All of these IA events are free to the public.
The Rustic Theatre has three showings of “The Lone Ranger” on the Fourth: 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The film also is showing the night before at 7 p.m. and throughout the rest of the week. A comedy improv, “What’s the Worst That Can Happen?” is at 10 p.m. Friday.
The Idyllwild Summer Concert Series begins that evening, continuing for eight consecutive Thursday nights. Donations are needed to fund the concerts. (See more on page 17.)
Dahleen’s Big Band Staff hits the Idyllwild Community Center stage at 6:30 p.m. to pay musical tribute to the big band era. “There’ll be a patriotic component to the first half of the concert,” said Dahleen. “I’m bringing in Troy Clarke, a Frank Sinatra-like singer, for some jazz and some good ole ‘blue eyes,’” a program sure to please the many dancers that attend the ISC series.
On Wednesday, bagpipers return to the mountain for the second Pipes in the Pines, a dinner show celebrating America, Scottish style. The event features the UCR Pipe Band. It begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Alpenglow Lilac Gardens, 25025 Fern Valley Road.
Another Fourth of July event lands on Friday at the Mountain Center Cafe. Vendors, a bounce house and slide, face painting, cotton candy and more are offered from 11 a.m. until “the party ends.”
Also on Friday, Idyllwild Pines Camp and Conference Center is inviting local residents to its Community Activity Day from 1 to 5 p.m. The event includes zip lining, a giant swing, archery, rock climbing and a water slide.
Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe Bistro has Marshall Hawkins and Paul Carman from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, That’s All Folk from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Lenny Hansel from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Irish music with John King and Mick from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Lumber Mill has karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Michael Britton performing from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Idyllwild Community Church is hosting an arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the church garden. On Sunday the Buchanans are hosting a family picnic and outdoor church service at their home beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event is at 54640 South Circle Drive.
Photographer Gina Genis’ book signing for “Everybody and Their Mother - Idyllwild, CA Volume 1” is from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Idyllwild Area Historical Society.
Also on Saturday, the American Legion’s Fourth of July barbecue happens from 3 to 7 p.m. with Change Required performing.
Mountain Community Patrol’s fundraising pancake breakfast is from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at Town Hall.
Samantha Dunn will speak about her work with Eduardo Santiago at 3 p.m. Sunday at Cafe Aroma’s upper deck. The talk is part of Santiago’s Idyllwild Author Series.
