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Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Debbie Croft: Mariposa comes together for 'Super Bowl'

Recently at a not-so-solemn ceremony in the mountain community of Mariposa, a proclamation was signed, by the five county district supervisors, and sealed, with as much formality as they could muster.

Besides the several imposing and official words such as, whereas and now, therefore, be it resolved, the document proclaimed that this year, the first weekend of November would be designated as Super Bowl and Open House Weekend.

The Trans Valley Youth Football League is a nonprofit football and cheer organization that brings youth across the Valley, ages 7 to 13, together for sportsmanship and competition. Each year on a Saturday at the end of the season, the 12 best teams compete in playoff games, in what has become their own miniature version of the Super Bowl. The Delhi Raiders, Newman Ravens, Winton Cowboys and Big Valley Sabres are a few of the 21 teams from the Central Valley communities, located as far north as Tracy and as far south as Le Grand and Planada.

This year Mariposa was asked to host the event, and Bob Kirchner was hired as coordinator.

"When I took on this project, time was short," Kirchner explained. "There weren't enough weeks left on the calendar to form committees and hold meetings, so we could plan things. I told our Mariposa Bears that I would do it, if they paid me; that way I could make the decisions and get the ball rolling on this."

The Bears agreed to his terms.

They paid him $1, as requested.

Kirchner is a big fan of these kids, and has spent many Saturdays and Sundays visiting the teams to watch their games.

When he first asked around to find out what kinds of activities are usually planned and how much work goes into a Super Bowl Saturday, he was told, "We usually have a bouncy-house."

That's all? he asked, in disbelief.

It didn't take him long to start thinking -- and thinking big.

"In the early part of November, the tourist season is over, but the weather is still mild," Kirchner said. "I thought, why not host an entire weekend event and get the whole town involved?"

Since then this mountain town has pulled together in typical fashion to open its doors for a wonderful welcome to the teams and their families and friends.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the center of Mariposa with a bonfire, hot drinks and s'mores. Knowing that city kids don't enjoy the luxury of building a fire outside to roast marshmallows, Kirchner thought this would be a useful way for them to experience the season here.

The cost of this evening will be 10 cents each, with all proceeds going to the March of Dimes. While everyone is mingling and enjoying the refreshments, there will be music, an opening ceremony, introductions and an orientation describing the what, when and where of the weekend's activities.

At 8 a.m. Nov. 7, the first football game will be played at the fairgrounds, continuing with games throughout the day and into the evening. Entrance into the Fairgrounds is free; entrance into the games is $5 a person for the whole day. Free parking and free bus rides between town and the fairgrounds will be available, also. Of course, while the games are played, there will plenty to do and see in the RED ZONE with food booths and free entertainment, plus much more going on all day.

In town, the shops will open up at 10 a.m., and our gracious business owners have promised not to roll up the sidewalks early, meaning their doors will remain open until 8 p.m. It will be a grand time for touring our historical sites, including the Granite Jail, the Mariposa County Courthouse, the Mariposa Museum and History Center and the California State Mining and Mineral Museum.

Craft shows will take place at the VFW hall and the Senior Center. Free maps will be available at Mariposa stores, and discount coupons for restaurants, hotels, etc. can be printed from the Bears Web site (look for the Super Bowl link; then guest coupons) at: www.mariposabears.com. More information can be found at the Web site, by e-mailing the contacts listed there, or by calling Kirchner at (209) 614-3543. Even if you're not interested in football, it'll be worth the visit.

"Every segment of the community has been touched in preparation for this weekend," Kirchner told me. "We're looking forward to a great event that may in the future become a tradition."

Debbie Croft writes about life in the foothill communities. She can be reached at composed@tds.net, or at her Sun-Star blog: City Girl, Country Life.