(Web gallery of Gold Rush 2007 photos.)
“Mud, water and a gold panning…it doesn’t get much better than that,” said White Oaks Gold Rush Days organizer Steve Cloutare, “of course, that’s kind of a guy thing.”
The former gold-mining boom town of White Oaks turns back the clock Saturday and Sunday (May 31 & June 1) with two days of activities including gold panning, a parade , shootouts and chuck wagon/campfire grub.
The gold panning process calls for putting fine ore in a shallow pan and swirling the lighter dirt off. Gold, one of nature’s heaviest metals, accumulated to the bottom of the pan. It’s a process that calls for patience, and wide brimmed hat and sun block. Those wishing to finish off their bucket at home, are asked to bring their own bucket.
“If it were easy, none of us would be doing it for long,” noted Cloutare, a Vietnam veteran who has done a fair share of prospecting in the past.
Directions to White Oaks (Google-map White Oaks Schoolhouse) and complete a complete schedule of events are available at www.whiteoaksnewmexico.com.
Proceeds to benefit the White Oaks Volunteer Fire Department.
Funded in part by Ruidoso Downs & Ruidoso Lodgers Tax Funding, the Spencer Theater, Hubbard Museum of the American West, KRUI News Talk Tourism and the Ruidoso News.
Sponsors welcome.
For Sponsor and Vendor information call: (575) 648-2188
VENDOR REGISTRATION FORM! Download a vendor registration form here (.pdf). Boths for the two-day event are $25!
| Friday, May 30, 2008 | |
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| 6:30 PM | Vendor/Sponsor Event, No Scum Allowed Saloon |
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| Saturday May 31, 2008 | |
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White Oaks Pottery Open All Weekend!
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| TBD | Vendor Booths Open |
| 9 AM | Museums Open (Schoolhouse Museum, Miner's Home Museum |
| NOON | Parade |
| TBD | Frontier School Class at Schoolhouse Museum |
| 10:30 AM-5 PM (TBD) | Gold Panning |
| TBD | Old West Shoot-Out |
| 6 PM | Campfire Activities, No Scum Allowed |
| 7 PM- til Midnight |
GOLD RUSH FANDANGO with Country Western Band & Danc,e No Scum Allowed Saloon. |
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| Sunday, June 1, 2008 | |
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| 8 AM (TBD) | Vendors Open |
| 9 AM | Gold Panning Starts |
| High Noon |
Old West Shoot-Out |
| Schedule subject to change. | |
Gold Rush graphics coming.
The schedule is subject to change.
Funded in part by Lincoln County Lodgers Tax.
FOR MORE INFORMATION email us at info@whiteoaksnewmexico.com
