Debbie Croft: There’s so much to do in the Sierra foothills

If you haven’t driven through the country lately, streams are gurgling and wildflowers are in bloom. Our foothills community calendars are bursting with springtime festivals and events you won’t want to miss.

The Las Mariposas Civil War Days are going on this weekend at Long Ranch in Mariposa County. On Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17, visitors can browse through military and civilian camps and watch demonstrations of American life in the mid-1800s. Re-enacted battles will take place, and historical presentations will be given each day. On Saturday night, a dessert social and dance brings neighbors together from miles around.

Visit www.thecivilwardays.com for scheduling, directions and ticket info.

The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with new music and a five-county performance tour, beginning this month.

The orchestra will present four original compositions written by MSO founder and conductor Les Marsden. “Our Nation’s Nature” debuts in its entirety in honor of Yosemite National Park and its recent milestone events.

Upcoming concerts will be held on the following dates:

▪ Saturday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School

▪ Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel in Yosemite Valley

▪ Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. at Sierra Vista Church in Oakhurst

▪ Saturday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at Merced College Theatre

▪ Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at Sonora High School auditorium

▪ Saturday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at Mammoth Lakes Middle School

▪ Sunday, Aug. 21, at dusk; the final performance will take place at a location to be announced.

More about the MSO is found at www.mariposaartscouncil.org or by calling 209-966-3155 or 800-903-9936.

Once a year Mariposa students are given the opportunity to compose their own classical music in a unique competition sponsored by the Mariposa County Arts Council. The 2016 Mariposa Young Master Composers Celebration is now open for submissions.

Winning compositions will be orchestrated and then performed at MSO’s July concert. And winning composers will receive a cash prize, along with a certificate and a recording of their classical work.

Entries and accompanying documents must reach the MCAC office by Wednesday, June 1, at 4 p.m. More information is available at www.mariposaartscouncil.org/young-master-composers-celebration.

California’s Gold Rush history is relived in Columbia’s State Historic Park at Diggins Tent Town 1852. Over 150 costumed volunteers will take part during the four days, interacting, telling stories, performing music and displaying handcrafts and artwork from a previous era.

Through tales of early miners and their families, politics and small-town life, visitors will enjoy this glimpse into California’s pioneer history. A variety of foods, beverages and other items will be available for purchase; parking and entrance to the state park are free.

Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, admission to Columbia Diggins is $7 per adult and $2 per child, ages 12 and under. For details contact Columbia Visitor Services at www.parks.ca.gov/Columbia or call 209-588-9128.

Oakhurst artist Jon Bock announces a call to artists for the 14th annual Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour. The deadline is May 1.

This exhibit is the largest art event in the southern Sierra foothills, with over 100 artists participating. The art trail winds through more than a dozen communities in Madera and Mariposa counties. Artists’ studios are open for three days.

Details about the tour will be featured in an upcoming column. See www.sierraarttrails.org for submission guidelines and an application, or call 559-658-8844.

A project by Nicola Lercari, assistant professor of world heritage at UC Merced, and his students is currently featured in Coulterville through Sunday, April 24.

“Coulterville’s Heritage in the Digital Age” is a poster display located at the IOOF Hall, 5030 Main Street. An interactive event will be held at the closing reception on Sunday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“This is part of a larger project to digitally preserve the natural and cultural resources along the John Muir trail in the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills,” Lercari said. “The work in Coulterville has focused on 3-D scanning and modeling of the physical historic buildings, cataloging archives and photographs, video interviews with residents, and recording the historic cemeteries.”

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 10:43 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: There’s so much to do in the Sierra foothills."