September 8, 2005

As American as apple pie

New Almaden Day ‘Jump In’ Parade invites all to ‘Jump In’ this Saturday!

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Parades are as American as apple pie. And one that you won’t want to miss happens every year in the historic district of New Almaden this coming Saturday.

Last year’s grand marshals Mike and Doreen Boulland ride in style in this vintage Cadillac. Photos courtesy of New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum

Billed as the New Almaden Day ‘Jump In’ Parade, the procession has been organized for over a century. Vintage autos are being spiffed up, horses are being groomed, sponsors have donated raffle items, games are planned for the kids, lunch and munchies are being prepared and a bluegrass band will entertain all. But most important, an eager anticipation is in the air as the hamlet’s residents work hard to present the most memorable day for attendees ever.

“We want to invite everybody to come to New Almaden Day,” said New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] president Kitty Monahan who will attend in cowgirl attire along with her pinto horse, Sonny Six Feathers. “We’ll have the parade at 11, then food, games and music at the New Almaden Community Club. There’s something for everyone and we promise everybody a good time.”

The 1.6-mile parade commences on Bertram Road in front of the New Almaden Community Club and circles up and down the pathway, reaching Almaden Road and past Casa Grande. The procession will feature horses, vintage automobiles in mint condition and participants dressed up in whatever their imaginations have concocted. The “Hags on Nags” ride on horseback in their pajamas, with their hair in curlers, and their faces adorned with mud masks while carrying, what else, mops in hand. Not to be outdone, this year a new entry called the “Duds on Studs” will appear as the masculine counterpart in the procession. Judges will choose the best or most unusual of the costumed participants.

Kids ‘jump in’ at the parade.

“I won’t be there,” jokes NAQCPA archivist Art Boudreault who plans to attend in a costume his wife, Sarah sewed for him. “But the clown will be there.”

Because New Almaden is the home of the Quicksilver Mines, there are usually a few costumed entries that capture the old mining community of yesterday. Quicksilver Museum park interpreter John Slenter will dress in his Sunday best mining outfit with his miniature dachshund C.J. in tow. Last year, teenagers came dressed as the hard-hat miners who toiled the hills above the parade procession. One woman even dressed as a horse. Anything is possible during New Almaden Days. The grand marshal of the parade is another surprise. The unsuspecting resident won’t even know until the day of the parade.

Almaden Day began in the 1870s when mine manager James Randol declared it a holiday for the Quicksilver miners and their families. The event featured barbecues of whole animal carcasses amid the revelry of music with dancing and lots of fun. Motorized vehicles made their appearance as the years went by. The ‘jump in’ was added so that residents could join in as the parade passed by the many homes on Bertram and Almaden Roads.

“The ‘jump in’ happened because at one time there were more people in the parade than were watching the event,” said Monahan laughing. “What’s a parade without anyone cheering you on? So we told them to stay at home until we passed by their homes and then ‘jump in.’”

New Almaden Day Parade, circa 1946.

After the parade, everyone gathers at the Community Center on Bertram Road. Mouthwatering tri tip, beans and all the fixing’s are being prepared by New Almaden residents Jeff and Michelle Peterson. New Almaden Day is a real neighborly event where everyone pitches in. Postal carrier Manny Martinez, who has delivered the mail for 15 years in the area and once lived in New Almaden, is working the beer bar.

“The parade is great fun,” said Martinez. “Afterwards there’s a good band, great food and fun for the kids. If it wasn’t for Kitty it wouldn’t happen. She gets everybody involved.”

And that she does. Postmaster Mary Ball and husband, Ron, as well as other employees of the New Almaden post office will help at the festivity. And New Almaden artist Gillian Lane Altieri will be busy selling raffle tickets.

“One of the hardest jobs during these times is getting donations,” said Altieri who has been attending the event since 1997. “We have been very lucky. God’s Little Acre Nursery, La Foret Restaurant, Robertsville Station Car Wash and many others have contributed. Everyone in the community really pitches in to help. It really is a friendly area. This is a fundraiser to keep the community club open.”

A hayride at a New Almaden Day Parade, circa 1980.

And of course there will be music. One Eyed Jacks, a bluegrass band, will perform and play “until everyone is tired and pooped.” However, Monahan admits that the local band “doesn’t get tired.” Kids can pan for gold, ride the astro jump and play a variety of carnival games. New Almaden Day is an entertaining day for all who attend and a slice of Americana that shouldn’t be missed.

New Almaden Day is this Saturday, Sept. 10. The parade begins at 11a.m. in front of the New Almaden Community Club at Bertram Road. Parking is available at Casa Grande or the Hacienda entrance to the Quicksilver Park, where the parade will pass on the 1.6-mile loop through Almaden and Bertram roads. The games, food and music will be at the club beginning at noon and last until everyone is tired.