Gold Rush Days coming

Sidney's 14th annual Gold Rush Days starting Friday honors the past in spectacular fashion.

For one weekend 1870s Sidney is realized through storytellers and re-enactors, including gunfighters, weavers and skinners.

"Sidney was a jumping off point for the gold rush trail," Ken Geu, committee president, said. "They'd come to Sidney and go up to South Dakota for the gold rush, that started in about 1874. It's outdoor events to commemorate that time in Sidney's history."

Heather Hausmann, Cheyenne County Visitors Center director, is excited about the event.

"Being our 14th annual Gold Rush Days, it has a long standing reputation for being a great event for Sidney," she said.

Following a campfire kickoff Friday, the Gold Canyon Gunfighters perform. The evening also features a 5K walk/run. The day after features historical speakers, a snake oil salesman, trick ropers and live music. Geu himself will demonstrate wood-working.

"They have a variety of activities for all ages," Hausmann said. "Entertainers, vendors, different types of food. And the Saturday activities are packed full with the speakers."

This year features even more speakers and storytellers to give illustration to the past.

"They really worked hard to give you a full day of events on Saturday," Hausmann said. "There's just a variety of things going on."

Readying Gold Rush Days this year came with challenges, Geu

said.

"Our key volunteers, a lot have passed away and some have had health issues, so we're short on volunteers," he said. "But we have a swell youth group that's doing it."

More than just the gold rush is being remembered with the event, Geu said.

"We're working to continue on the tradition of having our button," he said. "That started back with the Fort Sidney days, back in the 50s. They always had the button. We're continuing on with that."

The best part of the event, Hausmann said, is the live entertainment.

"I enjoy seeing the setup they have, with the teepees and old buildings and the little jail," she said. "I love that you can go out to the park, find a nice shady grassy spot and sit and enjoy some of the local talent we have here."

Gold Rush Days kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. in Legion park. Saturday's events begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue through closing festivities at 6 p.m.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://www.sidneygoldrush.com.