Call it a catch-all celebration.

On Saturday, the city's historical society, nonprofit groups and Old Town businesses are staging a Heritage Day event at Sam Hicks Memorial Park in Old Town.

The event, which will feature historical characters, music and scientific demonstrations, is timed to mark both the 20th anniversary of the city's incorporation and the 150th anniversary of the area's post office.

"It's the background for how Temecula got to be this way," said Wendell Ott, director of the Temecula Valley Museum.

Ott said the idea of holding a Heritage Day came about when museum officials were discussing how to celebrate both anniversaries while tying together the annual Erle Stanley Gardner Mystery Weekend with Old Town's Harvest Celebration, a more robust version of the weekly farmers market that is being held this Saturday, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.

As for the historical characters, Pam Grender will portray Helen Hunt Jackson, the 19th century author who criticized the U.S. government's treatment of American Indians.

Ott said Grender, president of the museum's board, has been working on the character for years and she has become adroit at answering questions as Jackson and sharing stories from the "Ramona" writer's viewpoint.

In addition, Dale Garcia will be acting as the "sheriff" of Old Town and enforcing the law for a good cause.

"There will be some arrests," Ott said.

People will be allowed to pay for the release of their loved ones with "bail" that will go toward a nonprofit organization.

In addition to the presenters, Heritage Day will feature a performance by Mesa High School's ballet folklorico group and there will be a booth manned by the Pechanga tribe.

The Latino and American Indian groups were specifically invited to be a part of Heritage Day to celebrate the area's diversity.

"We wanted to get as much of the cultural heritage represented as possible," Ott said.

One of the highlights of the event, Ott said, might be the intricate display that will be set up by the Temecula Valley Prospectors.

The prospectors, a group that travels throughout the West looking for gold, will be offering a demonstration of gold panning and they will be raffling off some gold.

As for whether the event becomes an annual part of Temecula's calendar, Ott said, "We'll see what happens, see what the response is."

Organizers of the Harvest Celebration are hoping the larger-than-normal farmers market attracts thousands of people to Old Town.

Some of the other groups taking part in Saturday's event are the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society, the Santa Rosa Plateau, the Valley of the Mist Quilters Guild and Pennypickle's Workshop, which will be conducting science experiments at a booth.

Gloria Bachmann, president of the quilters group, said Valley of the Mist members will be re-creating an old-fashioned quilting bee, putting together a large quilt with a wooden frame.

Call staff writer Aaron Claverie at 951-676-4315, ext. 2624.

HERITAGE DAY

-- When: 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

-- Where: Sam Hicks Memorial Park, Old Town Temecula

-- What: Historical characters, music and cultural performances

-- Info: 951-694-6450