While a scaled-down version of Mountain Top Days was held last year due to the pandemic, this year the event is back with all the festivities.

New this year is a theme – “Logging” – to honor the industry that dominated the mountain years ago. Michael Lee, the Mountain Top Days coordinator, commissioned local artist Sabro Foster to create a mascot, a “lumberbot.” He has been hanging out in the alcove next to Sugar Mountain and will ride in the parade on Friday, Aug. 6. On Saturday, Aug. 7, folks will be able to visit with him up close and personal at the farmers market – which will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – and even have the opportunity to bid on him and take him home.

The parade will step off at 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Participants will march from City Creek Road along Hilltop Boulevard and end at the intersection with Highway 330.

At press time, some of the expected participants include Golden Oaks, Riordan’s MMA Club, Mountain Transit, Snow Valley, Rustic Arts, Sugar Mountain, Boy Scouts, U.S. Forest Service, Rim Family Services, Hilltop Chinese Restaurant, Outdoor Essentials, Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council, Action Auto, Pali Adventures, First Foundation Bank, Rim of the World Community Church, CHP, Running Springs Fire Department, Arrowbear Lake Fire Department, Gregory Wadsworth Family, Mt. Calvary kids.

At the head of the parade will be this year’s grand marshal, Laura Dyberg. In her nearly 40 years as a mountain resident, Dyberg has been involved with a wide variety of organizations, including the Arrowbear Women’s Softball League and DOVES. She has served on the boards of the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District, the Arrowbear Park County Water District and the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. She currently chairs the Government Affairs Committee, a part of the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce.

Dyberg is perhaps best known for being a founding member and president of the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council.

She is also a founding member and chair of the Inland Empire Fire Safe Alliance, a coalition of 14 fire safe councils in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

She was named a California Woman of the Year in 2000.

Following the parade, there will be a party behind Cut Above (31966 Hilltop Boulevard). There will be beer and wine for sale and Tye Dye Tacos will be selling their tacos. Entertainment will be provided by The Dudes – be sure to wear your dancing shoes!

On Saturday, Aug. 7, in addition to the farmers market, there will be carnival games for all ages. The fun will begin at 9 a.m. with the Giant Jenga Challenge, followed by Musical Stumps at 10 a.m. The Firewood Wheel Barrow Relay Race will begin at 11 a.m.

The always-popular First Responder Bucket Brigade – with the Arrowbear and Running Springs Fire Departments going for the glory – will take place at noon. The final game – the Water Balloon Toss – will be at 1 p.m.

Aaron Scullin, who is coordinating the games, has lots of great prizes for those who try their hands at these games, which will take place in the back parking lot at First Foundation Bank.

This year’s Mountain Top Days sponsors, as of press time, are Platinum – Snow Valley Mountain Resort; Gold – First Foundation Bank, Pali Mountain; Bronze – Rim Family Services; Community – Rustic Cabin Outfitters.

“I hope the community will be out in force to celebrate our survival of the pandemic lockdown,” Lee said.