The Death Valley ‘49ers Annual Encampment, a weeklong western heritage festival is set to take off in early November.
The encampment events will take place Nov. 5 through Nov. 12.
The festival will feature old-time and western-style music, Invitational Western Art Show, craft show, fiddlin’ and pickin’ contests, golf and horseshoe tournaments, a pioneer costume contest, 4×4 tours, wagon train and horse parades, community breakfasts, and annual quick-draw art auction, according to the information posted on the event’s website.
Linda Slater, public information officer for Death Valley National Park, said since 1949, the Death Valley ‘49ers have been celebrating the California-bound wagon parties that passed through Death Valley in 1849 by holding an annual encampment in Death Valley National Park.
“After 68 years of encampments, they are a part of the park’s history that we continue to enjoy today. With the wagon train, history talks, and activities, the ‘49ers bring history to life,” Slater said in an email.
Additionally, Slater said that this year, Death Valley National Park will be reopening the Keane Wonder Mine during the 49ers week.
“It was closed in 2007 due to safety hazards at the site,” Slater said. “Mineshaft and tunnel openings have been covered and the old mill and tramway have been stabilized, so we are excited about having it open to the public once again.”
For more information, visit http://www.
Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77