About Gold Rush Days
Gold Rush Days - Sacramento's heritage celebration -took place Labor Day Weekend 2011.
More than 200 tons of dirt paved the streets of Old Sacramento as this annual festival "turned back the clock," transforming Sacramento's historic district into a scene straight out of the 1850s. Hundreds of costumed performers took on the roles of celebrities, personalities and just plain folks, bringing history to life while bluegrass pickers and old-timey Musicians performed on several stages, evoking the vivid tunes of the times.
Activities and Performances included:
- Tent City: A recreation of town life in early Sacramento City where you can visit saloons, a gambling tent, doctors, dentists, and even an undertaker! Tent City also offered a variety of tasty treats available for purchase, including fish & chips, roasted corn on the cob, fresh-made kettle korn, homemade sarsaparilla, root beer, draft ale, local wines, and more!
- Gold Panning: Kids panned for gold and trade in their findings for Gold Rush currency.
- Pony Rides
- Artisan Alley: Tinsmiths, Blacksmiths, Lace makers and other artisans sold their wares.
- Arts & Crafts Stations
- Melodramas & Musicians: Performances took place daily at the Eagle Theatre and at multiple stages around Old Sacramento
- Squatter's Riots & Pony Express Relays: Historic reenactments of Sacramento's legendary history.
- And much, much more!
Admission:
Events and performances throughout the district were FREE to the public. All Old Sacramento museums also offered FREE ADMISSION on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. These museums included:
- Sacramento History Museum
- California State Railroad Museum
- Califironia State Military Museum
- Wells Fargo History Museum
- Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
For more information, call (916) 808-7059.
Gold Rush Days is produced by the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation, the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Sacramento and California State Parks.
