Nevada City Holds 58th Constitution Day Weekend

NEVADA CITY — On September 20-21, Nevada City celebrated its 58th annual Constitution Day Weekend, marking Constitution Observance Month, with our Great Experiment being cemented by the creation of the grand document. The delegates of our Constitutional Convention came together with patient fervor, embracing the ideals we had fought for and won after the Battle of Yorktown. The delegates from diverse backgrounds and differing opinions set aside their differences to establish a nation of independent states supported by a strong people. They formed new traditions, rooted in traditional values, by taking ideals born during the Enlightenment Era and establishing a government for the people, by the people—a first of its kind. The Constitution was crafted by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, and fully adopted on March 4, 1789.

For over 236 years since the creation of our Constitution, Americans have continued to prove the strength of those ideals. The document has been amended and challenged by political detachments and changing social norms, surviving bitter differences, a Civil War, and two World Wars. After all the disagreements, we can still agree to celebrate the blessings of our liberties, freedoms, and the Bill of Rights.

On Saturday, Nevada City residents and visitors gathered for the Revolutionary War Living History and Open-Air Concert with the Nevada County Concert Band later that evening. On Sunday, visitors to the street fair enjoyed a “Signers of the Constitution” reenactment presented by California Freemasons from Nevada #13 Lodge, narrated by Past Grand Master of California Free & Accepted Masons (PGM CF&AM) John Trauner. The Constitution Parade was the last major event of the weekend, highlighting various groups including the Banner Mountain VFW, youth groups and bands, Clampers, Patriotic organizations including the Paul Revere Riders, Knights Templar of California, Sacramento Shriners, California Free & Accepted Masons Grand Lodge, the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, and many more.

Wendy Ermshar, President, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and owner of Fur Traders on Broad Street for the past three years, who was also an announcer for the parade, said these “events bring people together outdoors, experiencing community, celebrating, advocating what they believe in to help the community organize… [it’s] a great thing!”Lynn Skrukrud, Executive Director of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, credits Nevada #13 Lodge F&AM and Nevada City residents for working together to co-host the weekend festivities. “It is a great partnership between us, having 58 years together, and it’s been fun to work with other organizations, [especially] spotlighting the Freemasons for the service they provide the community,” she said of the event.

Reflecting on the event, Rachael Stuhaan, a visitor from Lone Pine, said, “It was sweet and felt specific to a small-town homage to American [diversity] that was an intimate excuse [to] come to town while traveling the Sierra Nevada, and interact with the purveyors of small communities. I support finding reasons to smile, supporting our Constitution…understanding the genesis and traditions of [our country] is so important. It was good seeing Freemasons participating as they are [at the] center of local communities.”

Approximately 1,500 bystanders were watching the parade from the streets and building balconies. For information on next year’s 59th Constitutional festivities, please visit www.nevadacitychamber.com.