Events in Columbia for 2010

Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128

The 28th Annual Fiddle & Bango* Contest (yes, “bango”) will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 2, at the gazebo in Columbia State Historic Park.

More than 40 musicians will compete for prizes in the following categories:  fiddle, banjo, vocal, guitar, mandolin and miscellaneous.  The grand prize is a gold nugget, and there are cash and gift certificate prizes in each category, and the Pat Clark Award is also presented to the person displaying the most “guts.”  The entry fee to compete in each category is $10, and contestants sign up between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.     

The Fiddle & Bango Contest is FREE to the viewing public. Come on down to the gazebo in Columbia State Historic Park with your lawn chairs, hats and sunscreen and root for your favorite musicians.  T-shirts with a striking design by local artist, Peggy Reza, will be available for sale ($20).  All ages and music genres are represented in this contest, which is sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  Competition begins promptly at 10:30 a.m., and continues all day, except for a lunch break. 

And speaking of lunch, for $5 get your miner’s tin cup, spoon, and ballot and enjoy chili cooked and served by Columbia Chamber teams at various locations in town.  For more information, call 209-536-1672 or visit www.columbiacalifornia.com.

*Bango was a misprint on the contest T-shirts years ago, and the name stuck!

 Free. Click Here for more info. Free!

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce presents the 26th Annual Harvest Festifall, Saturday and Sunday, October 9 & 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Join us for a cornucopia of country crafts, comestibles, demonstrations of skills, and music and dancing on the shady streets of Columbia State Historic Park, decorated for the harvest season.  Wear your Gold Rush duds and enjoy a visit to the past. Fun for everyone, and it’s free!!!   

Almost fifty vendors, dressed in 1850s attire, will display their handmade arts and crafts for sale, including pottery, jewelry, apparel, home décor, wood furniture, baked goods and many others; and some will demonstrate their skills.  Attractions include demonstrations of spinning and weaving by the Mother Lode Weavers & Spinners, face painting, miniature horses, and entertainment by various local groups of musicians and dancers. 

November 11,
Thursday, 11 a.m.

VETERANS DAY REMEMBRANCE
In Columbia’s historic cemetery at 11:00 a.m., the Columbia Foot Dragoons explain the significance of Veterans Day and how it came into being, and fire a single volley.  For more information, call 209-536-1672.

Participate in making traditional candy canes during the holidays.  Must send a request to the store by postcard before Labor Day to enter lottery for reservations.  Organized by Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen.  For information, call 209-532-7886.

December 10
Friday evening
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Columbia’s merchants will be open 5:00 ‘til 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 10.  Begin your evening by greeting Father Christmas and receive a gift from the Merry Merchants.  Shop in the tradition of times gone by without the hustle and hassle of malls or traffic jams.  As you stroll through the Columbia State Historic Park on this enchanted evening, listen to the sounds of the season—Christmas carols and songs performed by local children, and stories told by storytellers.  Delight in traditional tastes—roasted chestnuts, hot gingerbread, and more; and warm yourself from the inside out with cups of delicious hot holiday specialties.  Enjoy a free carriage ride on decorated Main Street.  Fun for all ages. 

December 11 & 12,
and December 18 & 19
Saturdays & Sundays daytime

 December 12, 2010 
Sunday 11:00 a.m

December 12,
Sunday 5:00 p.m.

LAS POSADAS NATIVITY PROCESSION - Gold Rush Style
Las Posadas is a Spanish tradition that re-enacts the biblical story of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Since 1983 the people of Columbia have put on their own version of Las Posadas each December--with a distinctive 1850s flavor.  This year the Las Posadas Nativity Procession on Main Street in Columbia is Sunday, December 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with angels leading Mary and Joseph and their donkey.  Other characters in this re-enactment are there too: the three Wise Men, tax collector and innkeeper, and miners and musicians and other costumed townspeople.  

Columbia's Main Street is decorated for the Christmas season, and luminaries will light the way for the procession, while on-lookers hold candles and join in singing Christmas carols.  For more information, call 209-536-1672.

Click Here for more info  Free event!

2011 EVENTS IN COLUMBIA STATE HISTORIC PARK

TOWN TOURS - Enjoy an hour-long walking tour of town led by a park staff member or docent.   See the actual gold discovery site, learn about the buildings and early merchants of Columbia.
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.
 

GOLD RUSH DAYS - Columbia opens many exhibits and venues that are not normally open to the public.  These venues are interpreted by highly knowledgeable staff and docents in period dress.
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.
 

March 26,
Saturday evening

FANDANGO - Come celebrate Columbia’s birthday with music, dance, and gambling games of long ago.  Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Friends of Columbia State Historic Park.
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128, or Friends of CSHP at 209-532-3184.
 

March 27, 
Sunday afternoon  

COLUMBIA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - On this day we celebrate the discovery of gold by the Hildreth party (March 27, 1850).  Gather in the middle of town for a speech, cake, punch, and reenactments as well as docents in costume throughout town. 
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

April 16, 
Saturday

32nd Annual OLD MILL RUN - 10K Run, 2-Mile Run/Walk, Kids Mini Mile, Kids Mile.  Events begin at 9 a.m., and benefit the Tuolumne County Community Christmas Eve Dinner. 
Contact Cathie Peacock for more information at 209-586-4802

35th Annual COLUMBIA WINE TASTING - The 35th Annual Columbia Wine Tasting will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2011 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Columbia State Historic Park.  A benefit for the Columbia College Culinary Arts Program, tickets are $45 per person (2010 price)  Over 70 wineries and local food purveyors will be represented in the popular event. 
Sponsored by the Columbia College Foundation.  For tickets or more information, call 209-588-5089 or visit www.gocolumbia.edu/foundation.
 

COLUMBIA’S VICTORIAN EASTER CELEBRATION - Dress up in your Victorian Easter finery and march in the Easter Parade.  Registration begins at 11:00 am, and the parade is at 12:30.  Children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes in Columbia’s popular Easter Egg Hunts.  The Small Fry Egg Search at noon is for ages 3 to 5; and after the Easter Parade, the Junior Egg Poachers (ages 6 to 8) will try their luck at 1 pm, and finally the Great Egg Scramblers (ages 9 to 12) at 1:30 pm.  Find the golden egg and win a prize!

These free events are sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  Call 209-536-1672
 

April 30 & May 1,
Saturday & Sunday

52nd Annual FIREMENS MUSTER - Volunteer fire crews from around the western United States will take part in the competition, presented by Columbia Volunteer Fire Department Engine Co. No. 1.  The muster parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in Columbia. Other events include hose cart races, bucket brigade, skills competition, hand pumper contests and a Saturday dance. Admission is free. 
Call 209-532-8718 (Brendan Simunaci) or 209-532-3772 (Randall Nickley) for more information.  
 

May 30, 
Monday 

MEMORIAL DAY SALUTE - Memorial Day services start at 11 am on Monday, May 30 in the old Veterans section at the Columbia Cemetery.  The ceremony takes about 20 minutes.  There will be prayers, information on Memorial Day, the Battle Hymn of the Republic and a salute to those buried in this section.  The ceremonies are conducted by the Columbia Foot Dragoons and the Columbia Grenadine Belles.  For more information, call 209-536-1672.
 

June 2-5,
 Thurs-Sun daytime

DIGGINS 1852 - Step back in time to the year 1852 and discover what life was like in a gold diggings encampment! Over 150 volunteers help recreate this time in history by living the life of a miner, merchant, actor/actress, and more.  School tours are led Thursday and Friday by reservation.
Sponsored by the Columbia State Historic Park and Friends of Columbia State Historic Park.  Call 209-588-9128 for more information.
 

June 11,
Saturday

3rd Annual SARSAPARILLA ROUNDUP - Features contests in the afternoon, including mug slide, horseshoes, spelling bee, etc., and frosty cold sarsaparilla.  Beginning at 5 pm at the Jack Douglass Saloon, there is a pasta feed, crowning of the Sarsaparilla King and Queen, sarsaparilla cook-off, songwriters contest for the best sarsaparilla song/jingle, belching contest; and music, dancing and frivolity.  Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. 
Call 209-536-1672
 

June 11, July 9, Aug 13,
Sept 10, Oct 8, 2011 
Saturday evenings

GHOST TOURS - Have you heard that there are ghosts in Columbia? Join us on the tour to find out where they lurk and the stories behind those who lived in Columbia during the Gold Rush. 
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

June 20-24,
Monday through Friday
9 am to noon

SUMMER ARTS CAMP - Summer Arts Camp is designed to partner children ages 7 to 12 years old with professional artists and performers so students can explore their creative self-expression and appreciation of the arts.  Meet each morning in the Solari Garden at the corner of Jackson and Columbia Streets. On Friday, June 24, the merchants of Columbia host a reception for our young artists.  Call 209-532-2787 for more information.  Registration on a first come/first served basis.  Hosted by the Central Sierra Arts Council.
 

June 18-19,
Saturday & Sunday

45th Annual FATHER’S DAY FLY-IN, 8 am to 5 pm Saturday & SundaySponsored by the Columbia Airport.  Call 533-5685 for more information.

July 4th,  Monday

COLUMBIA’S GLORIOUS 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION - Celebrate our nation's birthday the old-fashioned way!  Come to Columbia State Historic Park on the 4th of July and participate in the many activities the 49ers enjoyed way back when, including a glorious parade up Main Street at noon.  Folks in Columbia began the 4th of July parade tradition in 1852. 

In addition to the parade, listen to the Great Mother Lode Brass & Reed Band concert, dance in the street, and try your skill at the many contests popular in the early days of Columbia.  The kids will enjoy trying to climb the greased pole, hunting for a needle in the haystack, and participating in the bucket brigade and the cake walk.  Other contests for kids of all ages include nail pounding, watermelon and pie eating, egg relay race and egg toss, and a five-way tug-of-war.  The parade and concert are free, and entering the contests only costs a buck.  Finally, to top off your day, a tri tip barbecue dinner will be served at 4 pm.  Barbecue tickets are $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for children under 10.   

July 16,
Saturday evening

BIG BAND STREET DANCE - Step back into the 1940s and put on your dancing shoes to boogie down to the music of Rod Harris and his orchestra.  This free event is sponsored by Friends of Columbia State Historic Park.  Call 209-532-3184 for information.
 

July 30, Aug 20,
Aug 27, Sept 3,
Saturdays

HISTORY’S MYSTERIES  - We invite families or groups to solve an actual crime that occurred in Columbia in the 1800s.  You will witness the event, interview key members to the crime and get a chance to subpoena them in court.  Then you will select one person from your group to question people on the stand.  At the end, you will determine the outcome of the crime.  Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

August 6,
Saturday

BATTLE OF SAWMILL FLAT - Columbia Foot Dragoons re-enact Battle of Sawmill Flat, 6:30 p.m., at the Miners Shack, across from Eagle Cottage in Columbia State Historic Park.  For information, call 533-3663.
 

September 10,
Saturday daytime

CALIFORNIA ADMISSION DAY PARADE The Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor #258, sponsors a California Admissions Day Parade in Historic Columbia. The Native Sons have a tradition of preserving California History--the parade is one of those that started in 1876, and revived in 2008. There are many other events held on Admissions Day in Historic Columbia, the parade is just one of them. 
For information, call 209-588-1565.
 

September 10,
Saturday evening

September 17,
Saturday evening

BACK TO SCHOOL 1861 - Join us for a beautiful evening at the historic schoolhouse.  During this reminiscent event, take a tour of the upstairs, sit in on a lesson taught by a docent dressed as an 1860s school teacher, play games of long ago, listen to music, and help make hand-cranked ice cream. In 2010, we will be celebrating the150th anniversary of when this great building was completed.
Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.
 

September 18,
Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm

COLUMBIA ART SHOW - 39th Annual Columbia Art Show.  This fine art show features almost 50 local painters, sculptors and photographers who will display their art on the shady streets of the Columbia State Historic Park.  This event is FREE to the public.  For more information, call 209-536-9047
 

29th Annual POISON OAK SHOW -  at the St. Charles Saloon in Columbia State Historic Park.  Aren’t you just itchin’ to participate?  This event is like a traditional flower show, except all entries must include poison oak!  Some of the categories are:  best arrangement of poison oak, most original poison oak dish (with recipe), best photograph of poison oak, best photograph of poison oak rash (or in person).  Sponsored by the St. Charles Saloon.  For more information, call 209-533-4656.
 

October 1,  Saturday,
10:30 am to 4 pm

28th Annual FIDDLE & BANGO* CONTEST & CHILI COOK-OFF - The Fiddle & Bango Contest (yes, “bango”) will be held at the gazebo in Columbia State Historic Park.  More than 40 musicians will compete for prizes in the following categories:  fiddle, banjo, vocal, guitar, mandolin and miscellaneous.  The grand prize is a gold nugget, and there are cash and gift certificate prizes in each category.  The entry fee to compete in each category is $10, and contestants sign up between 9 and 10:30 am. 

The Fiddle & Bango Contest is free to the viewing public. Bring lawn chairs, hats and sunscreen.  T-shirts will be available for sale ($20).  All ages and music genres are represented in this contest, which is sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  Competition begins promptly at 10:30 a.m., and continues all day, except for a lunch break.   

And speaking of lunch, for $5 get your miner’s tin cup, spoon, and ballot and enjoy chili cooked and served by Columbia Chamber teams at various locations in town.  For more information, call 209-536-1672
 

October 8 & 9,
Saturday & Sunday,
9 am to 5 pm 

26th Annual HARVEST FESTIFALL - Join us for a cornucopia of country crafts, comestibles, demonstrations of skills, and music and dancing on the shady streets of Columbia State Historic Park, decorated for the harvest season.  Wear your Gold Rush duds and enjoy a visit to the past. Fun for everyone, and it’s free!!! 

Almost fifty vendors, dressed in 1850s attire, will display their handmade arts and crafts for sale, including pottery, jewelry, apparel, home décor, wood furniture, baked goods and many others; and some will demonstrate their skills.  Attractions include demonstrations of spinning and weaving by the Mother Lode Weavers & Spinners, face painting, miniature horses, and entertainment by various local groups of musicians and dancers.  Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  Call 209-536-1672
 

October 22,
Saturday evening

STORIES IN STONE - Visitors are led through Columbia’s historic cemetery by costumed volunteers carrying lanterns where they will visit 13 grave sites.  The dead come to life as interpreters tell about their lives, how they died, and how they came to lie in Columbia’s cemetery.  Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

October 29,
Saturday 5:30 p.m.

3rd Annual ILLUMINATION OF THE JACK-O’-LANTERNS - Carve your pumpkins, turning them into classic peg-toothed grinners, artfully chiseled ghouls, leering witches, or any family-friendly design of your choosing.  Bring your carved gourds to the Columbia Museum on Main Street for judging, and enjoy the live musical entertainment.  Prizes will be awarded for the most original, most gruesome, most entertaining, etc.  At dusk the jack-o’-lanterns will be illuminated.  This free event is sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and fun for all ages.  Call 209-536-1672
 

November 11, 
Friday, 11 a.m.

VETERANS DAY REMEMBRANCE - In Columbia’s historic cemetery at 11 am, the Columbia Foot Dragoons explain the significance of Veterans Day and how it came into being, and fire a single volley.  For more information, call 209-536-1672.

November 25 through
December 18,
weekend days

COLUMBIA CANDY KITCHEN CANE MAKING  - Participate in making traditional candy canes during the holidays.  Must send a request to the store by postcard before Labor Day to enter lottery for reservations. Hosted by Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen.  For information, call 209-532-7886.

December 2 & 3,
Friday & Saturday
evenings

LAMPLIGHT TOURS - Join us for a walking play that wanders the streets of Columbia at night and ends with music, dance, and refreshments.  Make this an annual holiday event for you and your family and learn more about the Christmastime of years past.  Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.
 

December 9, 
Friday evening,
5 pm to 8 pm

3rd Annual MERRY MERCHANTS - The Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the MERRY MERCHANTS invite you and yours to enjoy an evening of old fashioned Christmas charm in Columbia!  Shop in the tradition of times gone by without the hustle and hassle of malls or traffic jams.  As you stroll through the Columbia State Historic Park on this enchanted evening, listen to the sounds of the season—Christmas carols and songs performed by local children, and stories told by storytellers.  Delight in traditional tastes—roasted chestnuts, hot gingerbread, and more; and warm yourself from the inside out with cups of delicious hot holiday specialties.  Enjoy a free carriage ride on decorated Main Street.  Fun for all ages.  Call 209-536-1672
 

December 10 & 11,
and December 17 & 18
Saturdays &
Sundays daytime

A MINER’S CHRISTMAS - Sit around a campfire drinking hot cider or coffee and join in conversations with miners as they roast chestnuts.  Children can make some favorite crafts of the 1850s and keep an eye out for Father Christmas as he wanders the streets looking for good boys and girls!  Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.

CHRISTMAS EQUESTRIAN PARADE - Sponsored by the Mid-Valley Unit of the Back Country Horsemen.  Call 209-599-2620              

DATE NOT CONFIRMED YET

LAS POSADAS NATIVITY PROCESSION - Las Posadas is a Spanish tradition that re-enacts the biblical story of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Since 1983 the people of Columbia have put on their own version of Las Posadas each December--with a distinctive 1850s flavor.   Mary and Joseph and their donkey.  Characters in this re-enactment include Mary and Joseph and their donkey, the three Wise Men, tax collector and innkeeper, and miners and musicians and other costumed townspeople.  Columbia's Main Street is decorated for the Christmas season, and luminaria light the way for the procession, while on-lookers hold candles and join in singing Christmas carols.  For more information, call 209-536-1672.