Gold Nugget Days celebrate finding a 54-pound gold nugget in 1859. The celebration began in 1959 and has continued every year since.The theme for 2008 is “Coming Up Gold!” This 50th anniversary celebration runs for two weekends from Saturday, April 19 through Sunday, April 27.
Kickoff Weekend: Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20
The 50th anniversary festivities begin at 11 a.m.on Saturday, April 19 with the Law Dawgs and Pistoleros shooting up the Museum grounds, holding up stagecoaches, and generally causing mischief.
The excitement is sure to cause you to work up an appetite. This year the Bean Feed will be held at the Museum. Delicious food will be offered at noon on both Saturday and Sunday. The lunch menu includes beans, a roll, and dessert, all for the ridiculously low price of $5.
The new Boots & Hoops Dance will be held at the Paradise Senior Center, on Saturday, April 19, from 7:00 to 11:00. The gala family event will honor the 2007 Gold Nugget Queen, Hannah Fugle, as well as the 2008 Queen contestants and their escorts. The Grand Marshal will be presented.
Donn Thomson will lead ball-goers in 19th century dances. Dancers also will be able to kick up their heels to the music of Good Country. The ball is sponsored by the Gold Nugget Museum and the Paradise Senior Center. Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased in advance at the Museum or at the door.
Sunday, April 20 marks the return of the Children’s Costume Contest, 12:30 at the Museum. This was a popular event at past celebrations and is sure to please young and old alike. Children preschool age and younger, second through fourth grades, and fifth through eighth grades will compete in several categories.
Enter the family’s best friend in one of the most popular Gold Nugget Days event. The Doggone Doggy Contest will be Sunday afternoon, April 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the Museum. Prizes will be awarded in all categories, which include Smartest, Best-Dressed, Owner Look-Alike, and Queen’s Choice.
Register your dog at the Gold Nugget Museum for $5 through Friday, April 18. Late registration is $10. The contest is sponsored by the Gold Nugget Museum and PASH, which will share the proceeds.
Badge Art
Gold Nugget Days badges sell for $2.00 each and can win you a pure gold nugget! Badges are on sale at the Gold Nugget Museum and from merchants all over the Ridge. Register your badge at the Museum to be eligible for the beautiful gold nugget. There is no charge to register. The drawing for the winner is at the Museum on Sunday April 27th at 4:00P.M. You don't need to be present to win, but it's more fun if you are!
Tent City
Take a walk back in time to life during the Gold Rush. The Gold Nugget Museum’s TentCity will be in business from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th.
Listen to the stories in the undertaker’s tent, where figures from the past will come to life and tell their tales. Check out the supply tent, which stocks provisions needed by gold seekers, and the medical tent to see remedies and instruments from the past.
View the tent city video
If you’re over 21, stop at the saloon for a game of cards, a look at the dance hall girls, and a glass of beer or wine. Deputies will check IDs.
The Gold Nugget Days High Sheriff and his deputies will jail anyone breaking the law, including those not wearing a 2008 Gold Nugget Days badge.
Because the gold strike clearly is a good one, some permanent buildings have been erected. Be sure to visit the blacksmith’s shop, the schoolhouse, and the Wells Fargo Assay Office with its replica of the Dogtown Nugget.
The Sweet Shoppe will be open Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27, from noon to 4:00 p.m. with an array of home-made goodies for sale.
On Saturday, April 26 a Cowboy Chuck Wagon will sell roast pork, beef, beans, and fixings for $12 (or $10 for those who buy tickets at the Museum by Friday, April 25). Hot dogs, lemonade, and ice cream also will be sold.
Merchant Decorating Contest
Paradise Ridge businesses are decorating for Gold Nugget Days, promoting this years' theme, "Coming up Gold.” By painting windows, putting up decorations and displays and encouraging their employees to dress according to the theme, merchants support the festivities and compete to win awards-cash prizes, gift baskets, gift certificates, a homemade quilt, advertising, and more. The Gold Nugget Museum makes lunch for up to 20 employees of the entry judged "Best in Theme." Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce and the deadline is April 14.
Miss Gold Nugget Pageant
Once again, fifteen Ridge high school juniors are competing for the title of Gold Nugget Queen. The naming of the Queen and her court takes place at the Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, April 24, at the Paradise Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m. Each girl must find a sponsor and escort, submit a portfolio and create a dress of the 1850-1899 period. The candidates are judged on the historical accuracy of their costumes, the quality of the portfolios, their poise and demeanor and their appearance. The dress is the most important factor. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center for $7.00.
Melodrama
The ever-popular melodrama "UProarious Perils in Pair O' Dice" will take the stage for three performances-Friday and Saturday, April 25-26 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. Evening performances cost $15.00; the Sunday Matinee is $12.00; and all student tickets are $10.00. All seats are reserved and tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center.
Donkey Derby
The annual Donkey Derby staged by E Clampus Vitus 7-11 commemorates the race up the hill to Dogtown to show off their good fortune when miners found the 54-pound gold nugget at Whiskey Flat in April 1859. During today's race, donkey and drover teams compete to get up the hill to Magalia community center and through an obstacle course-while carrying 54-pound weights. First, second and third place cash prizes are awarded the winners. Entry is $20 per donkey/drover team; otherwise the festivities are free. The Donkey Derby takes place Saturday, April 26, and arrives in Magalia about 9:00 a.m.
Parade
The Gold Nugget Days parade begins at noon on Saturday, April 26. The sweepstakes award of $200 and a trophy go to the entry judged best in the parade, regardless of category. To be eligible for the award, the entry must reflect the 2008 Gold Nugget Days theme, "Coming up Gold." The deadline for parade applications is Friday, April 18 at 4:00 p.m. The category list, fee schedule, rules and application forms are available at the Gold Nugget Museum.
Sunday at the Museum
The Museum offers food, music and a time to relax after all the big events of Gold Nugget Saturday. There are hoagie lunches for sale, lots of music, gold panning, blacksmithing and friendly faces. It's on Sunday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entry is free to everyone wearing a 2008 Gold Nugget Days badge-and the drawing for the gold nugget is at 4:00 p.m.
We will keep you advised of more activities on our news page.
