Historical Society Wins Cherry Festival Theme Sweepstakes Award

The San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society's 17-foot float won Theme Sweepstakes honors -- one of the top awards -- at the 2019 Beaumont Cherry Festival Parade on June 1.

Created by 14 volunteers within the society over two weeks, the float, which garnered a 5-foot trophy, depicted historical sites to visit in the San Gorgonio Pass -- the aim was to both raise awareness about these sites and encourage locals to visit and/or patronize the attractions. Both sides of the float featured 8-by-8 murals of Gilman Ranch and the San Timoteo School House --both are Riverside County parks open to visitors for tours and picnics. The float also featured a Cabazon dinosaur, the Malki Museum, Dowling Fruit Orchards, Bogart Park, the Beaumont Library and Fox Theater, as well as historical local features with a railroad crossing sign and a "U-pick cherries" sign along with four cherry trees.

The historical society's large history exhibit was also on display all four days of the 2019 Cherry Festival. The exhibit includes about 40 vintage photographs of the San Gorgonio Pass dating back to the late 1800s. Visitors also received the society's postcard featuring a selection of vintage photographs. The exhibit was funded in part by grants from the Laura May Stewart Foundation and former Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley.

The society extends hearty thank yous to the Cherry Festival Association and the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Rotary Club for hosting the society at the festival and in the parade.