Revisit the golden era of California’s history at the annual Coloma Gold Rush Live event! Located in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, this three-day event invites the public to step back in time to California’s Gold Rush Era, set to be held during the weekend of October 11-13.
A unique slice of history, Gold Rush Live provides an opportunity for enthusiasts to experience a fully immersive insight into what life in Coloma would have looked like in the 1850s. This chain of events transports attendees back to a time when Marshall Gold Discovery SHP was a bustling tent village during the Gold Rush era.
Apart from an engaging historical trip down memory lane, Gold Rush Live also has an array of family-friendly activities. Look forward to a fun-packed time with gold panning, Bucket making, engaging in period games, and so much more.
Event specifics to note are:
– Date: Friday, Saturday, October 11th, and 12th from 10.00AM – 4.00PM and Sunday, October 13th from 10.00AM – 3.00PM.
– Location: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 300 Back St, Coloma, California 95613
– Cost: $15 per vehicle (parking included)
Visitors will get an all-sensory access experience during the event; ranging from checking for letters from home at the local General Delivery to procuring a missive to send to family back east, visiting miners at the river and staking claim at the Claims Office. Look forward to stocking up on provisions at the General Store or getting a clean shirt from the laundry as well as a bath and shave from the tonsorial.
Don’t miss out on their special attractions either, like hands-on activities such as gold panning, tin punching, journaling, and period games. Get the chance to learn from a carpenter and cooper how to make a bucket or repair your mining tools at the blacksmith shop.
For those seeking refreshment, a visit to the saloon for a refreshment or the barbeque for some wholesome sustenance is a must. A small reminder to pet owners, unfortunately, this is a dog-free event, excluding service dogs.
For those needing special accommodation, California State Parks supports equal access. Information can be obtained by contacting the Marshall Gold SHP. A special note of thanks also goes out to Gold Discovery Park Association in making the Coloma Gold Rush Live! possible through its unwavering partnership and support.
One must not forget the importance of the town of Coloma itself. The name originates from a Native American term, Cullumah, translating to “beautiful valley”. Native Americans were the first major labour force involved in the mining of gold. This beckoning of gold lured people from all over the globe, inclusive of experienced miners from South America, Mexico, Australia, Asia, and Europe. Against all odds, Coloma thrived as a hub of supplies for gold mining operations into the next few decades, through the boom and bust of other townships. This town saw several settlers including German, Swiss, Italian, Chinese, and African American families contribute to its prosperity through business and agricultural pursuits.
Today, efforts are being made in many forms, including engaging in formal government-to-government tribal consultations, archival research, and meetings with families, to expand the narration and interpretation of the consequential changes California’s gold discovery. This significant event etched in history is intertwined with the existence and how it shaped the town we know today as Coloma Valley.
Top left photo caption: The staff at the Winters Hotel at Marshall Gold SHP provide tantalizing fare for the Tent Town folks. In the top right photo, guests can be seen taking joy in the antics of Punch and Judy. The bottom left image hosts Docent Nelson Snook supervising the Miners’ Store. Senior Park Aide Frank McKinney in the bottom right picture, is altering perceptions by demonstrating the art of blacksmithing.
Destination California—discover the golden roots of the state and immerse yourself in the times that once were at Coloma Gold Rush Live. This is not just an event, but a unique journey back to a historic era where the race to fortune unfolded.
Note: For more information about the event, contact details are provided by California State Parks News via email. California State Parks is committed to nurturing the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, safeguarding its valued natural and cultural resources, and facilitating top-of-the-line outdoor fun for everyone’s health, inspiration, and education.
