Calendar of Events

Marshall Gold Discovery State Park presents a Living History Program on the 2nd Saturday of each month. This hands-on history day features many historical interpreters who come out to demonstrate different aspects of pioneer life during the Gold Rush. Visitors can experience candle dipping, meet the Mountain Men, chat with ladies doing their sewing or spinning, make some rope, help the carpenters saw a log, and ask the cooks “What’s fer lunch”. Each program also has a cultural or historic theme. For more information about the Living History days, please contact Marshall Gold Discovery State Park at 530-622-3470 or visit their website.

Learn More

The second annual South Fork film festival will again feature the best of river paddlesports from the Sierra Nevada to the East Coast to exotic international locales. Showcasing work from local amateur filmmakers and accomplished professionals from around the world, South Fork FilmFest will highlight the thrill and joy of whitewater paddling. See our FilmFest trailer on YouTube for an advance look!

FilmFest runs from 5 PM to 10 PM at the Gold Trail Grange in Coloma, CA. Tickets are $5, which includes a drink ticket, and from 5 to 6 PM children under 12 are free. There will be food for sale and a variety of beverages. Proceeds go to maintaining the Grange as a Coloma-Lotus community hall and restoring the Grange riverfront.

Learn More

This years Community Raft Swap will take place at Camp Lotus on Saturday, October 6th, from 9-4. This is a great community gear garage sale, with rafts, kayaks, canoes, inflatable kayaks, SUP’s, life jackets, paddles, oar frames, throw bags, wet suits, dry suits, repair gear, coolers and camping gear.

At the Raft Swap, you can drop your gear off at 7:00 a.m., and we will tag it/sell it for you. You can go out and paddle the South Fork, then return in the afternoon to pick up your cash.

For seasoned paddlers, it’s time to clean out your stash and get some cash. For new paddlers, this is a great opportunity to get a used kayak or raft and join us on the river.

Drop off your no longer needed gear on Friday the 29th between 6pm & 9pm or early on Saturday morning from 7am to 9am. If you are selling your gear the fee is 10% of the sale price and will be donated to a non-profit of your choice (FOR, SoFAR, ACME or ICO). There are several to choose from. Just ask the folks at the gear swap and they will make it happen for you.

Camp Lotus is located at 5461 Bassi Road, Lotus, CA. About 45 minutes from Sacramento, east on Highway 50.

Thank you to all the dedicated folks who put on the gear swap each year – you know who you are and we appreciate all of your hard work on this event. And thanks to Camp Lotus for the great venue.

 

Come visit a living history encampment of the Gold Rush era. Pan for gold, listen to music of the miners, and hear the re-enactors tell stories of the days of old. Call the museum at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park for more. (530) 622-3470

Learn More

An Evening to Benefit the American River Conservancy & Friends of the River
October 27th
6:00 – 9:30
Gold Trail Grange Ballroom
319 Highway 49
Coloma, CA 95613
Join us at the Gold Trail Grange Ballroom for an evening to benefit two organizations vital to preserving the South Fork of the American River that flows through the Coloma Valley – the American River Conservancy and Friends of the River.
The evening will kick off with the multi-platinum music of Nancy Cassidy with special guests Ed Tree and Jim Klotz. Nancy will be playing selections from her just released 9th album of original material; RIVERS RISING. The festivities will continue with the local premiere of Patagonia’s film “Blue Heart”; the battle to preserve the free-flowing rivers of the Balkans. Beer and wine will be available in the Mirror Room Bar and delicious snacks and desserts will be available for sale.
Children 12 and under Free.
Tickets: https://rivers.bpt.me/
More information: https://sites.google.com/view/riverlegacy/home
http://www.nancycassidymusic.com
https://blueheart.patagonia.com/film
https://www.arconservancy.org
https://www.friendsoftheriver.org

Visit the historic buildings in Coloma and hear its history told by costumed docents. Talk with Santa, play in the snow, and make a wreath for your door. For ticket information for the house tours, call the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park museum at (530) 622-3470.

Learn More

January 24th marks the anniversary of James Marshall’s momentous discovery of gold in the tail race of Sutter’s Mill. This event is commemorated every year with living history, interactive period trade demonstrations, music and a Gold Rush Symposium featuring noted authors and scholars on gold rush history. Join us in celebration on Saturday, January 26th 2019 -Time: 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Parking is $8.00 per car. For more information please contact our museum at (530) 622-3470.

Learn More

With glowing orange fields overlooking the crystal water of the South Fork of the American River, the stunning contrasts and vibrant poppies are a sight few have the fortune of witnessing. Don’t miss this rare opportunity! The river trail is steep in places but has a good flat bed. Hiking to the flowers takes about 15-20 minutes. The river trail also has views of some of the earliest land that ARC protected around Triple Threat Rapid. Healthy snacks and punch will await your return to the house. Cost: $25 per person. Time: 2-5pm. Contact the American River Conservancy (ARC) for meeting location and to sign up. julie@ARConservancy.org or 530-621-1224. Donations aid the Bill Center Memorial Fund supporting river frontage and trails.

This year marks the 20th annual Coloma-Lotus Community Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic. The egg hunt starts at 11 AM in the meadow at the Sawmill in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. It’s open to local children ages 10 and under. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon in the Park. Sponsored by the Coloma-Lotus Business Council, Gold Trail Grange #452, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, local business and families.