Monday, February 21, 2011

Wickenburg Gold Rush Days

Advertised as western fun we went to the 62nd Annual Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg Arizona on Saturday, February 12th. This event celebrates the town’s origins as a ranching and gold mining center in the days before there was a Phoenix.  Gold Rush Days draws tens of thousands of visitors, and it seemed like they all showed up the same time we did because man it was crowded.

The official opening was on Friday with gunfights followed by the opening ceremony and the opening of the main festival area on Valentine Street in the historic district which had over 200 arts/crafts exhibitors, a family fun carnival, photography exhibit, art show, free stage entertainment, panning for gold and much more.  We got there Saturday for the tail end of the parade, tail end get it! The parade is one of the largest in Arizona, with over 100 entries including 1,000 horses, classic auto’s, floats, marching bands, and youth groups participating.  We walked around the exhibitors for awhile but then decided to beat the crowd at the Western Barbeque put on by the Saddle Club. We had some pretty good beef and slaw and beans. We then walked through all the exhibits until we left so we did not see the Rodeo which is also a part of Gold Rush Days.

We had a great time and can see why American Cowboy Magazine lists this as one of the 'Best of the West' events, but we really want to go back sometime when it is less crowded as this looks a neat historic town to visit. There is an excellent museum, the 'Desert Caballeros Western Museum', along with historic buildings, an old 761 Santa Fe Steam Locomotive, a nearby nature preserve and a nearby shrine, the 'Yarnell Shrine of Saint Joseph' with statues and plaques following the Stations of the Cross. All this plus a couple of good places to eat and you could not ask for more.

Till next time,

Bob and Jo

2 comments:

  1. There's a really great county park in Wickenburg. It's boon docking and only $5 a night. Has the most beautiful views of the valley. We only spent one night and I've wanted to go back since.

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  2. Looks and sounds like a great time.

    Travel Safe
    Dawn and Denise

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