Popcorn was served up in mounds on Saturday in Mariposa, thanks to Coast Hardware. Shown are Maryetta Dulcich, left, and her daughter, Heidi Dulcich, owners of the store, along with Jim Dulcich, Maryetta’s husband and Heidi’s father, who is obscured by the popcorn machine. The family traditionally serves popcorn during local downtown events. Photo by Mark Ruggiero
Mariposa gave a smashing 250th birthday party for America on July 4.
Before the clean-up even began, people were asking, “So what about next year?”
It seems a tradition may have been born.
Organizers estimate there were at least 7,000 people packed along Charles Street on Saturday night to watch the drone show.
There were also steady crowds throughout the day at the Art Park, old Frost Shop lot and the Mariposa Museum and History Center, where people listened to a line-up of musical performers.
“It was so nice. It was like the world melted away and we were all together,” said Mariposa County Supervisor Jenni Kiser, an event organizer.
She added that she was proud the community came together in a positive, non-partisan way, to celebrate the country.
Sandra Chapman, chair of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, gave a traditional blessing for the event.
It was a nod to a darker chapter of America’s history of westward expansion and the forced removal of indigenous people.
Revelers were in fine spirits last Saturday night waiting on the drone show in downtown Mariposa. Photo by Tom Lyden
“Her accepting the invitation was a big step forward because of everything they went through in the history of the country,” Kiser acknowledged.
“That was powerful. It was a gift,” she said.
There was a prayer from Mariposa County Board Chair Danette Toso, who was also on the ad hoc organizing committee.
Richard Westfall, another event organizer, said Monday he was “still on a high,” and was so proud of the community.
Many anticipated problems — like whether there would be enough parking — never really materialized, he said.
Westfall said there are “lots of little things” that could be improved, but is amazed that volunteers were able to stand up an entirely new event and one of the largest in recent memory.
More than 20 people sat on the organizing committee, from public works and the sheriff’s office, to nearly all the community service organizations in the county.
Mariposa County allocated $100,000 in government funds for the event, but Kiser said she expects private donations will cover at least $90,000 of the expenses, or perhaps more.
Blue Moon Metals donated $40,000 for the drone show. It was one of many businesses that donated time and money for the event.
Westfall said he usually goes away for the July 4th weekend and was shocked that people were willing to form a new tradition.
“I’ve almost always gone out of town because there was nothing to do,” he said.
That may have just changed.
For Kiser, who tirelessly promoted the event while twisting arms and patting shoulders, it was an emotional day.
She watched her 15-year-old son Cooper sing the Star Spangled Banner before the parade.
“This town gave me my life back,” said Kiser, her voice cracking slightly with emotion.
Then Kiser, who said she had felt the world melt away and the community come together, added a plaintive post script.
“I wish we could hold on to this feeling.”
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