Julian Gold Rush Days

When: June 9 - 10, 2012 (Fathers Day Weekend)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Where: Julian Mining Company
4444 Hwy 78
Julian, CA (map)
More info: Events website

Julian's Gold Rush Days will take place on Fathers Day Weekend to celebrate the discovery of gold in this mountain community in 1869, putting the town on the map. Activities will take place at Julian Mining Company, Frank Lane Park, and downtown Main Street.

Gold Rush Days Activities

The historical celebration invites visitors to learn more about its history with a weekend of entertainment including historical encampments (with a chance to meet miners, mountain men, and cowboys), gun fighting reenactments and mock claim jumping, tomahawk throwing demonstrations, gold panning and more. Held at the Julian Mining Company in Wynola, the old fashioned mining camp will offer free admission, vendors, an arts and crafts market, food and drink, gem mining, children’s pioneer games, free parking and plenty of family fun.

In addition to the mining camp, events planned for this weekend include a scavenger hunt for the golden nugget, performances by the Julian Doves & Desperadoes, gold mine tours, gold panning, a special train ride and gold tour at Smith Ranch, photo opportunities, and fun for the entire family.

The old fashioned mining camp will offer free admission, vendors, an arts & crafts market, food & drink, gem mining, children's pioneer games, free parking & plenty of family fun.

Scavenger Hunt
Be on the lookout for the "golden nugget" and participating stores.

Train Ride
The folks at Julian Train & Gold Mine Tours will be offering a very special train ride - call (760) 765-2288 for reservations.

Julian Doves & Desperados
Historic comedy skits at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. located in the stage area between Julian Fitness Center & the Julian Market & Deli. For information call (760) 765-1857.

Eagle and High Peak Mine and Museum - Offers daily tours of the mines from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Adults are $10.00 and children are $5.00. Gold panning and museum are included in the price. For more information Call (760 765-1857.

The Father's Day Old-Fashioned Picnic will have traditional games, including 3-legged race, eating contest, cake walk, watermelon eating contest, and more. This event takes place on Sunday at Frank Lane Park, Farmer Road next to the fire station.

Julian Gold Rush Days is a great opportunity to ‘turn back the clock’ and give visitors an idea of what Julian was like in its early days.

History

In the winter of 1869 when former slave Fred Coleman discovered gold in a small creek just outside of Julian, it set off a frenzy that became San Diego’s own gold rush. Within a few weeks, over 800 prospectors from all over the country were headed to Julian in search of gold. The first producing gold mine, the Washington Mine, was discovered in February 1870 and within days over 40 other claims were registered.

The gold rush lasted off and on for about thirty years, producing almost $2 million in gold (about $150 million in today’s market). While other nearby gold mining towns such as Banner City, Branson City, Cuyamaca City, and Eastwood disappeared over time, Julian continued to thrive with the production of its newest asset - apples.

For more information, call 760-765-4758. Julian Gold Rush Days is sponsored by The Julian Merchants Association, a community group representing more than 90 merchants in the greater Julian area -- Julian, Wynola and Santa Ysabel in San Diego County's eastern mountains.