Old West Family Fun – Saturday, Oct. 18 in Angels Camp
The third annual Gold Rush Day in historic downtown Angels Camp will celebrate the region’s rich heritage from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 with three stages of live music and entertainment, street vendors of all descriptions, sidewalk sale, old west reenactments, a miner’s encampment, gold panning, children’s activities and a variety of food and beverage including wine and beer.
Entry is free of charge and a free shuttle service is offered from Bret Harte High School and the Calaveras County Fairgrounds.
“Gold Rush Day continues to draw thousands of visitors to celebrate California’s Gold Rush,” said Karon Knuist, event coordinator. “We’ve extended event hours this year and plan to make it the best Gold Rush Day we’ve ever had.”
The historic Gold Rush town of Angels Camp was founded in 1848 by Henry Angels, who had arrived in California with his brother, George, as soldiers in the Mexican War. After the war’s end, they heard about the fabulous finds in the gold fields and joined the Carson-Robinson Party of prospectors to set out for gold.
The brothers set up on the creek now known as Angels Creek and began prospecting. Henry soon realized that it would easier to make a living supplying the miners than being a miner. He set up a canvas tent trading post near the creek in what is today a parking lot at the south end of historic Main Street, and sold clothing and miners equipment to the miners pouring into the area. A working replica of Henry’s tent will be featured during the festivities at Gold Rush Day.
First known as Angels Trading Post, the settlement was later shortened to Angels Camp, made world famous by author Mark Twain who stayed in the area in 1865 and wrote his first internationally acclaimed tale “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” after hearing the tale during a visit to the bar in the old Angels Hotel. Talented impersonators of both Henry Angel and Mark Twain will also be performing at the event.
Located on California Highway 49, Angels Camp’s Main Street is a busy section of the Golden Chain Highway. The Mother Lode seam of gold that attracted thousands from all over the world runs right alongside Main Street and under the Angels Camp Museum.
Today, Angels Camp is a base camp for outdoor activities and mountain sports with its proximity to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe, as well as its many near-by golf courses, caverns, lakes, trails, camping areas, wineries, and lodging and restaurant offerings.
Vendors Wanted!
Vendor space is currently available at a cost of $100 for 10×10 craft or food booths and $30 for non-profit organizations. Vendors can contact Knuist at (209) 736-1333 or email angelscampcelebrates@gmail.com to reserve a space.
For more event information, visit goldrushday.com and for comprehensive visitor and lodging information, visit gocalaveras.com.
