Although most of the events for the annual Mountain Top Days celebration have been canceled due to the pandemic, members of the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce want to do something special to honor those who have been working tirelessly on the front lines for months.

The chamber is sponsoring a unique parade this year – the Community Car Cruise. It will take place on Aug. 8 from 9 to 10 a.m.

The parade route will take participants through downtown Green Valley Lake to the Running Springs Farmers Market and Artisan Faire. This unique parade is a great chance to not only sit on the sidelines and watch the parade, but to become a part of it. The community is invited to decorate their vehicles and drive in the parade. You can drive through the full route or join in at any point.

There was a similar type of parade for the Fourth of July celebration this year. Green Valley Lake resident Janis Jones and her partner Dennis Rindone drove a beautiful red convertible Corvette in that car parade. She said at least 25 vehicles were in the parade.

“There were golf carts, motorized bikes, classic cars and lots of flags.” she said. “And the dozens of viewers out on their decks, driveways and doorways really appreciated the pageantry,” she added. “It was safe, fun and very patriotic!”

Visit the chamber’s website to fill out an application to participate in the parade at www.runningspringschamber.com.

“The Running Springs Farmers Market and Artisan Faire will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as usual, except with more vendors,” noted Cathy Clemens, the farmers market assistant marketing manager. She said there will be more organizations as well as cat adoptions through Catty Shack.

The Community Emergency Response Team will be there, and the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council will be shredding documents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will shred your documents and other paper items as you watch.

Clemens said there will be more vendors than usual with items ranging from T-shirts, candles, sweets, bread, chocolate confections and fishing tackle to Native American art, jewelry, food vendors, several different farmers and lots more. There will be live music as usual.

Farmspread.com is a website where vendors can sign up and find information on local vendors participating in the farmers market.

“Look for the Running Springs Farmers Market and Artisan Faire (on the website) and you can find vendors, see some of their products, what dates they’ll be there, get contact information, where their booth is located,” Clemons said.

She added that you should check the day before or morning of the event to see if changes have occurred.

Acknowledging that lots of people are concerned about the virus and being out in public, Clemens said the booths are spaced out to maintain a safe distance and people have been very compliant with wearing masks.
“We’ve put up more signs and pushed it on social media,” she said.