On Saturday April 27, 2024, from 9 am to 4 pm, the little town of Smartsville will once again come alive with live music on stage, tours of the mining areas, children’s activities, arts and crafts vendors, and of course, visitors will be able to see inside the former Catholic Church and witness our amazing restoration progress. This year there is more to see than ever.
Two of the most popular bands at Pioneer Day will be returning. Buffalo Gals is an old-time string band, featuring energetic fiddle tunes as well as old country favorites. The Stamp Mill Stompers is a highly entertaining group of musicians from the Nevada County Concert Band, playing Dixieland classics.
Our mining tours take visitors into the hydraulic mining area of Smartsville. It was here that placer gold in an ancient river channel was recovered using huge “water cannons” and long tunnels as sluices. Tour guides are experts at the history and mechanics of this type of mining.
Stay for lunch that can be purchased from an array of food vendors. Shop for jewelry, clothing, and handmade items. Dress in period garb and enter the “best dressed” contest. Bring the kids – they’ll enjoy demonstrations of gold panning, the art contest, and exhibits for young “miners.”
There will be storytellers of actual gold rush characters such as Madame Pantaloons, and some other performers like a period magician, at our Timbuctoo Theater.
Organized by the non-profit corporation known as SCRFI, Pioneer Day is the principal fund-raising event for saving and converting the former Catholic Church into a museum and visitors’ center. The festival atmosphere is warm and friendly. We like to call it the best small-town gold rush festival in California.
For more information, visit our website SmartsvilleChurchRestoration.org.