Gold Rush Days

Gold Rush Days Festival in Helena, MT: A Weekend of Fun and History

 

Summary:

The Gold Rush Days festival in Helena, Montana is a weekend-long event celebrating the region’s gold rush history.

The festival features a variety of activities, including the Vigilante Parade, Pastie Competitions, Open Mic, Square Dancing, Gold Rush Royalty crowning, Walking Tours, and more.

 

Participants can enjoy events such as the 5k Gold Color Run, Touch-a-Truck, Quick Draw with Art Auction, and Gold and Sapphire Panning.

 

The festival offers a mix of fun, education, and entertainment for the whole family, making it an unforgettable experience.

 

Introduction

Dive into the fascinating history of Helena, Montana, and experience a weekend filled with excitement, education, and entertainment at the annual Gold Rush Days festival. The event celebrates the rich past of the region and offers a glimpse into the gold rush era, which played a crucial role in shaping the town’s history.

 

Helena’s gold rush began in the late 1860s when gold was discovered in the nearby streams and rivers. As prospectors flocked to the area in search of fortune, the town grew rapidly, becoming a bustling center of commerce and transportation.

 

The gold rush reached its peak in the 1870s with the discovery of major gold deposits, such as the Last Chance Gulch, which produced over $19 million worth of gold in just a few years.

Today, the legacy of the gold rush lives on in Helena, with numerous historical sites, museums, and events dedicated to this vibrant period of history.

 

The Gold Rush Days festival is a prime example of how the city honors and celebrates its past while inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the gold rush experience.

 

Join us for this family-friendly event that you and your kids are sure to never forget. From the Vigilante Parade to the Storybook Trail, there’s something for everyone at the Gold Rush Days festival. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience in Helena, Montana.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoldRushDaysHelena/about

Friday May 5, 2023

VIGILANTE PARADE

12:00 -1:00 p.m. Ends at Civic Center

OPEN MIC

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Downtown Helena Inc.

PASTY CRAWL

12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Various Businesses

CROWNING GOLD RUSH ROYALTY: FOUR GEORGIANS

1:00 p.m. Women’s Park

GOLD RUSH STORE OPENS: HISTORICAL COSTUMES & MORE

GOLDEN ROCK PAINTING & SCAVENGER HUNT START

1:00 p.m. Women’s Park

WALKING TOURS

CRAFT-A-HAT: OLD FASHIONED HEADWEAR

1:00 – 7:00 p.m. REDS

DISTILLERY TOURS

2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Gulch Distillers

SQUARE DANCING

MONTANA CLUB TOURS

2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Montana Club

GOLD & SAPPHIRE PANNING

2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Women’s Park

HISTORICAL FASHION WINE WALK

2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Downtown

TRIVIA ON THE TROLLEY

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Yellow Trolley – Walking Mall

OLDEN DAYS PARLEY

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Confluence

THEATER PERFORMANCE: BRIGHT STAR

POKER NIGHT

8:00 p.m. Rialto

COSTUME CRAWL

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Downtown

Saturday May 6, 2023

5K GOLD COLOR RUN

9:00 a.m. Memorial Park

 

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Memorial Park

LAWN GAMES

10:00 – 12:00 p.m. Memorial Park

OPEN AIR MARKET WITH LIVE MUSIC

10:00 – 5:00 p.m. Walking Mall

PIONEER CABIN LIVING HISTORY & TOURS

10:00 – 6:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley

PASTY CRAWL

10:00 – 7:00 p.m. Various Businesses

QUICK DRAW WITH ART AUCTION

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Performance Square on the Walking Mall

HISTORICAL FASHION WINE WALK

12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Downtown

DISCOVER YOUR HOME’S HISTORY – HAUNTINGS & MORE

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Library

WHISKEY SIT & FINE CIGARS

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Great Northern

PIONEER CRAFTS

2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley Heritage Lawn

HISTORIC BUILDING TOUR

2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Ming Theater

WALKING TOURS

LIVE MUSIC & BEER GARDEN

3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley Lawn

STAND UP COMEDY

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley Conference Room

TUNNEL ENTRANCE VIEWING

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Montana Club Underground

LIVE MUSIC & BEER/WINE GARDEN

5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Walking Mall near Ten Mile

COMEDY DINNER THEATER

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Windsor

BURLESQUE SHOW

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Space One Eleven

 

THEATER PERFORMANCE: BRIGHT STAR

HELENA SYMPHONY MASTERWORKS VI: SWEENEY TODD

7:30 p.m. Civic Center

BURLESQUE SHOW

8:00 – 9:30 p.m. Space One Eleven

 

Sunday May 7, 2023

STORIES FROM OUR ELDERS

11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley

PIONEER CABIN TOURS

12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Reeder’s Alley

DOG RUSH DAYS

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Pioneer Park

THEATER PERFORMANCE: BRIGHT STAR

Conclusion

The Gold Rush Days festival in Helena, MT is a fun and educational way to learn about our city’s history and culture. Come join this family-friendly event that you and your kids are sure to never forget. From the Vigilante Parade to the Storybook Trail, there’s something for everyone at the Gold Rush Days festival. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience in Helena, Montana.

 

 

Gold Rush Days Website

https://goldrushdaysmt.com/

  • May 5, 2023 -
  • May 7, 2023