Gold Rush Days celebrate toughest town on the tracks

Gold Rush Days takes locals back to a time when Sidney had the reputation of being one of the roughest and toughest towns on the tracks.

In 1874, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Sidney and its railroad were considered the shortest transportation link to Deadwood, S.D. The gold brought in funds for the city, but also brought in many famous faces who wanted the gold without the hard labor.

For the past 12 years, modern-day adventurers have re-kindled that spirit with Gold Rush Days, a weekend trip into the past where young and old can get a glimpse of the 19th century.

A campfire will kick off the 13th celebration on Friday June 10 at 5 p.m. A reenactment by the Colorado Trailblazers will follow the kick off and the Sidney Chamber will host its 5K Walk/Run at 8 p.m. Locals are encouraged to bring hot dogs and marshmallows for the campfire cookout and story telling happening through out Friday evening.

Saturday's events begin with a country breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the National Anthem. Then tales of history, gunfights, fistfights, saloons, gaming halls, boarding houses, and the world's first all-night theatre will be accompanied by music, entertainment and reenactments through though out the day.

Church services with old time hymns will wrap up the weekend Sunday morning at 10 a.m.

Entertainment includes, gold panning, canon firing, black smithing, woodworking, coopering, treadle sewing machine sewing, butter making, skinning and tanning, a pie baking contest, petting zoo, wagon rides, a traveling snake oil salesman, candle making, food vendors and other old time amusements.

Ramona Joyce, event organizer, said that they will have bus tours from the park to the Fort Sidney Museum and Boot Hill.

All Gold Rush Day events will be held in Legion Park in Sidney and are free to the public. For a full list of events and times go to http://www.cheyennecountychamber.com/events.