Goldfield Days land auction returns with heritage celebration

Ready for visitors and locals alike, the Goldfield Days Celebration and Land Auction kicks off today.

The three-day celebration draws large crowds to the Esmeralda County seat with events for everyone although accommodations are slim.

On the schedule is a Saturday parade, live music and a street dance, old west gunfights and crafts and more.

Also announced by the Goldfield Chamber of Commerce are lots of drawings for prizes, bus tours of historic Goldfield, beer garden, food, kids’ games/adult games with prizes.

The anchor of the festivities usually is the auction of lands held in trust by the county.

This year there will be 19 Goldfield properties available to the highest bidders.

A Lida property also will be available as well as a single mining claim.

Minimum bids in Goldfield range from $690 to $5,730.

The auction will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. at the historic Esmeralda County Courthouse.

Dry camping is available at the International Car Forest of the Last Church, which is the site of about 40 cars buried nose-first.

A $25 donation is being asked, per person to camp. and owner Chad Sorg said they are expecting between 100 and 300 campers. Kids under 18 are free, accompanied by parents.

Porta-potties are supplied. but you will need to bring water and food. Campfires are allowed only in fire pits so bring shovels.

No flip flops are allowed in the campground, so wear boots or shoes that cover the feet. Any shade structures must be extremely secure and it is advisable to bring your own firewood.

The land auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the courthouse on Aug. 2. The properties listed include the minimum bid in parenthesis.

Those interested in the land auction need to purchase a land auction packet for $15. The packet includes a bidder number, and parcel maps and descriptions. Using a credit card will will cost 3 percent.

The treasurer’s office address is P.O. Box 547, Goldfield, NV 89013. The phone number is 775-485-6309.

There are ghostly adventures in Goldfield, too. Tales of a haunted gift shop, the well-known haunted Goldfield Hotel and the gift shop, which went under the scrutiny of Vegas Paranormal two years ago.