CLASH OF THE FESTIVALS: Shoshone, Beatty hold celebrations next weekend

Unfortunately, for two years in a row, Shoshone Old West Days and Beatty Days have fallen on the same weekend. Both will hold annual festivals from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

Each has its own attractions. Shoshone Village is history-based with talks at the Shoshone Museum, Death Valley School reunion and the annual Fairbanks family reunion held in the historical Brown residence.

Every year Shoshone Village celebrates the rich heritage of the area by bringing together enthusiasts of Western history and culture for a fun-filled weekend.

Take a walk through time at the historical Shoshone Museum. Relive the area’s rich past through the memories and writings of special museum speakers. Pick up a map of Shoshone and take a walking tour through time.

The Crowbar patio will be alive with entertainment Friday evening and all day Saturday. Vendors of handmade goods will be on site and there will be walking tours through the Shoshone Wetlands and a bird watching trip.

Food vendors are few and far between but Shoshone can boast about the deep-pit barbecue.

Beatty will celebrate its 110th birthday at Beatty Days next weekend. The town has more space to host events like car and bike shows, displays at the community center and enough park space to hold simultaneous events.

Beatty Days will begin at noon Oct. 31 and end Sunday at 3 p.m.

Returning this year due to popular demand are the Fulco Family Band from Los Angeles and Maria Anderson and her Southern Knight Band.

Vendors selling crafts, food and more will line the park.

The Las Vegas Garden Railroad and Pahrump Model Railroad will be exhibiting at the community center this year.

Historian Frank Adams of the Nevada Peace Officers Museum will be back this year and will give a presentation on “The Virgil and Wyatt Earp families” and “Fallen Peace Officers in the line of duty in Nye County” at the community center, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

One huge draw for Beatty Days is the annual International Chili Society regional cook-off, whose winner automatically advances to the World Championship Cook-off where they have the chance to win $25,000.

The Classic Car Show, which draws nearly 75 classic cars, many of which are decorated for the season and carry bags of candy for the Trick or Treating crowd.

Saturday also brings the parade, bed races, contests, games and a poker walk.

There will be lots of antique engines in the antique engine display on the north side of the park.

All entries for major events will automatically be entered into a special raffle for a commemorative 1 Troy Ounce Silver Coin donated by Barrick Gold and mined at the Barrick Bullfrog Mines.

Sunday brings the delicious Dutch Oven Cook-off and Boy Scouts of America will have a climbing wall in the park throughout the weekend for all to enjoy.

There is so much more happening during Beatty Days 2014, so be sure to visit our event website at: www.beattynevada.org.