Goldfield plans for live music, land auction and fun during annual event

The town of Goldfield is going to kick things up a notch starting Friday, as the 17th annual Goldfield Days gets underway — an event that will bring festivities for the entire weekend.

The three-day event, which surrounds an annual land auction on properties delinquent on their tax payments in Esmeralda County, will kick off Aug. 4 with a large-scale swap meet - free for vendors that want to set up, along with many other events.

“There will be people selling barbecue and beer, hot dogs and all kinds of stuff,” said Mark Stezaker, president of the Goldfield Chamber of Commerce.

Vendors can start showing up as early as 9 a.m. on Friday to get things started. The event runs through Sunday, with the main event, the land auction, occurring on Saturday. It’s on a first come, first serve basis, Stezaker said.

Event-goers should also expect to experience gunfights, live bands, a street dance and raffles. On top of that entertainment, attendees will also find a car show, GPS challenge, poker walk and paranormal (ghost) town tours.

Land auction

The land auction starts at 1 p.m. at the courthouse at 233 Crook St., at the corner of Euclid Avenue and U.S. Highway 95, on Aug. 5.

In 2016, 13 properties went up for bid in August, ranging from more than $1,300 to $16,000 for minimum bids.

The 2017 bidding information is available to individuals that purchase a land auction packet, which can be done in person at the courthouse. The packet cost is $10 and includes a bidder number and parcel maps and descriptions.

This year, there are 17 parcels plus one mining claim, said Jim Price, a part-time resident of Goldfield.

There has been about a dozen properties that go up for auction each year, he added.

People usually come in from the surrounding areas such as Beatty and Tonopah for the festivities and the land auction, according to Price.

Events during auction day

The events begin early on the day of the land auction, on Saturday, Aug. 5.

A pancake breakfast starts around 6 a.m. at the firehouse—which sits directly across from the courthouse building, Stezaker said.

At some point in the afternoon, a drawing for raffle prizes will occur, though Stezaker wasn’t sure on an exact time. The top prize is a one-ounce gold bar, valued at more than $1,000. Raffle tickets are $1 each.

The Goldfield Historical Society is also hosting a fundraiser drawing during Goldfield Days. The winner of the drawing will receive a quilt with a log cabin pattern and doesn’t have to be present at the time of the drawing.

Tickets are $1 each or entrants can get 6 tickets for $5.

At 11 a.m., a parade will kick off.

Stezaker said he still wasn’t sure of everyone that would be in the parade, though classic cars were probably on the list.

Red Roberts being honored

The grand marshal for the parade will be Red Roberts, owner of the Goldfield Hotel.

Another auction in front of the Goldfield Hotel begins at 2 p.m.

Roberts is donating all the interior doors of his Goldfield Hotel to Radio Goldfield/KGFN 89.1 FM to put on auction. The Opera House and KGFN will receive all proceeds from the auction.

KGFN is broadcasting live from the Opera House on Aug. 5. Events begin at 9 a.m. and keep going into the evening past 7 p.m. The event’s master of ceremonies is folk singer John Malcolm Penn.

Starting at noon, magician Kevin Barnes will perform a magic show at the Opera House. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The Hoist House Tavern at 300 N. Columbia Ave. in Goldfield is also the host to several to events on Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Festivities will include the Hoist House Tavern’s annual Car and Bike Show. All makes, models and conditions welcome, according to the tavern’s Facebook page.

Live music at the tavern includes a performance by King vs. Cash and Ern Cunningham. A live DJ, karaoke and dancing will also be going on into the early morning hours of Sunday.

Contact reporter Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes