Mother Lode Enjoys Long Holiday

Californians are celebrating the long Fourth of July weekend with parades, picnics and fireworks. Locally in the Mother Lode , Cannons boomed during a morning flag-raising ceremony before the annual Fourth of July parade in the historic Columbia State Park.

Fireworks displays in Murphys and at Lake Don Pedro and a lazer light show in Sonora were held as well yesterday.

But the party didn´t end Friday, though.

Up on Highway 4 in Calaveras County, the town of Arnold will celebrate the occasion today and Sunday. A pancake breakfast will be held both mornings from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ebbetts Pass propane gas office on Highway 4.

And Arnold´s traditional Independence Parade moves down Highway 4 from Cedar Center to the Meadowmont Shopping Center beginning at 10 a.m. this morning.

The 31st annual Sierra Nevada Folk Arts Festival also will be held both days across from Ebbetts Pass Gas.