Coloma Gold Rush Live October 13, 14

For two days Coloma brims with images, sounds, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment recreate history. On Sunday at 11 am "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. Merchants hawk their wares, The Coloma Cemetery Players offer a funeral performance, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. All weekend, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush. Volunteers interpreting history in period dress cook over open fires, show visitors how to pan for gold, make candles and rope, and demonstrate trades such as blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Children's activities and games from the 19th century entertain, as musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants. Experience the Native American culture at the Miwok Village.

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking is $7 per vehicle, and the event is free. For more information call 530.295.2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn. For more information; click on http://www.marshallgold.org/ . All photos courtesy Betty Sederquist, http://www.sederquist.com/