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History, barbecue for Bear Flag Day

 

Hosted by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor #111, the 49th annual Bear Flag Day celebration mixes local history with delicious barbecue and a microbrew festival on Sunday, June 12, beginning at 11 a.m. on the Plaza. One of the perennial highlights of the event is the historical reenactment of the Bear Flag Revolt, set for 1 p.m. in the Grinstead Amphitheater.

Performed by the Bear Flag Revolt Acting Troupe, a volunteer living history group in Sonoma, the reenactment tells the dramatic story of June 14, 1846, the day California settlers captured Sonoma from the Mexican rule. Performers tell the story, typically complete with gunfire, for a rousing afternoon of bringing history to life.

New actors are sought to join the troupe - men and women of all ages. Each performer must provide his or her own costume. There will be a rehearsal on Thursday, June 9, in the amphitheater at 6 p.m., but it is not necessary to attend to be in the show on Sunday. For more details or to volunteer, contact troupe leader George Webber at 694-5097.

The day begins with a ceremony at the Bear Flag Monument at 11 a.m. From noon to 4 p.m., the Microbrew Festival includes 25 brewers sharing a variety of styles of beer. Get unlimited tastes for $25. At the same time, the barbecues will be blazing with chicken barbecue plates selling for $12, and hot dog plates for kids for $4. Backtrax will offer an afternoon of classic rock tunes beginning at 1:30 p.m.

For more details, contact Dean Zellers at 996-5282 or visit www.sonomanatives.org.