At South Pass City
Last weekend in July
The highlight of each season at South Pass City State Historical
Site however, takes place the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of
July. The Annual Gold Rush Days celebration is the time when the
entire site becomes a true representation of its most glorious years.
The featured event is the Vintage Baseball
Tournament. Teams from around the county shake the cobwebs from
their circa
1900 period
uniforms and equipment
to take the field the way their predecessors in the South Pass Area once
did as early as 1870. The only trophy is the joy of competing
with their peers
in America’s Past Time.
The Wyoming State Hand Drilling Championships are also held at the Historic Site
during Gold Rush Days. This event harkens back to a time when hard rock mining
was accomplished without the aid of machinery. With only a hand steel and hammer,
men drilled holes in rock into which they set the explosives that would free
the gold bearing ore from its natural vault. These days, only a handful of stalwart
men from around the country have the mettle to compete in single and double jacking
events. Each swing of the hammer, each blow to the steel, pays tribute to the
daring men of a bygone era who quarried their living from the earth with endurance
and fortitude.
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Gold
Rush Days draws a large and fun crowd to South Pass City.
Children add an innocent
sparkle to Gold Rush Days as they enjoy a number of traditional
activities. Kids are at home in the cool waters of Willow Creek
panning for gold, and playing with toy boats. Candle pin bowling
is always a favorite. Children coax a tiny ball down the lane
with held breath in hopes that it finds its mark and strikes
the narrow pins. A shooting gallery is also a favorite of those
kids who aspire to be the next Annie Oakley or Buffalo Bill.
The plink of a BB against the small, metal target lets each shooter
know if they have found their mark.
Gold Rush Days is one of the most distinctive and dynamic events to take place
in Wyoming. Join South Pass City State Historic Site for Gold Rush Days the last
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of July for an experience you will treasure for
all time.
Climbers
Festival | Gold Rush Days Information
on Lander
Lander Attractions
Microbrewery | Oregon
Trail Pageant of the Old West
Sinks Canyon State Park
South Pass City
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