This weekend, September 15-16, Madera County residents can explore their mountain heritage at the 11th annual Mountain Heritage Days celebration in Oakhurst, California. A parade, Country Fair, contests and Sluice Box Derby are among the events planned. The celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. this Saturday with a parade along School Road (Road 427) and Crane Valley Road (Road 426) in Oakhurst, California.

Before the parade, stoke up on flapjacks at the Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Eggs, ham, sausage, steaming, golden stacks of pancakes, juice and coffee are on the menu. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Oakhurst Community Center Pavilion located at 39800 Road 425B. Adults meals are $5; children 12 and under, $2; and children under 5 are free.

After the parade, don’t miss the exciting Sluice Box Derby. It starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and features three divisions for derby racers aged 4-14.

You can spend a delightful day at Mountain Heritage Days. Watch pioneer demonstrations in candle dipping and blacksmithing. Check out award-winning displays of wood carving and needlework. Shop the many arts and crafts booths at the Country Fair. Sample some good old down-home country cooking. Return to the 1850s when Fresno Flats was a booming mountain town.

The festival will be held on the grounds of the Fresno Flats Historic Park. The park is located near Oak Creek Intermediate School and Yosemite High School on School Road (Road 427). Click here for a map and driving directions. For more information, call 559-683-6570.