Goldfield Days - this is one of two weekends each year I have circled on my calendar. "Why," you ask?
Most towns in Nevada outside of the two major metro areas still harbor a certain degree of pride in themselves, their neighbors, and their communities. To celebrate themselves, their history, heritage, and uniquitude (a term I just invented and simultaneously copyrighted) many of these cities, towns, hamlets, and CDPs hold annual festivals and welcome all comers. Tonopah has Jim Butler Days over Memorial Day weekend; Jarbidge has Jarbidge Days the second week of August; Austin has Gridley Days (now conveniently combined with their Independence Day festivities) - to name three. So, of course, Goldfield has their Goldfield Days over the third weekend of August each year, and while you probably won't see single- and double-jack drilling contests (you'll have to go to the Nevada State Mining Championship during Jim Butler Days to see that) there is a sprawling plethora of organized events throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for those who feel the need to be on the go, and another sprawling plethora of exhibits, beer gardens, and even the desert itself with many of the trappings of a turn-of-the-century mining town extant on the outskirts of town for those who prefer to go at their own pace.
Or, if you're Moffett, you take it ALL in.
Now I know Goldfield is not for just everyone: the nearest grocery store is 26 miles away, the motel has but four rooms available, and it's a notorious speed trap. But I promise you will never feel as "at home" anywhere (even with your own family, I reckon) than while you are strolling up and down Crook Avenue, popping in and out of storefronts, cheering on the pie eating contestant, &c.
And I won't bore readers with tales of our exploits (I will brag about Moffett, though, who took a blue ribbon in the Pet Parade - HEEZSUCHAGOODDOG!!!). But I will note that I had the best taco of my life at the Mohawk, not to mention some of the best chicken I've had in a good, long while at one of the concession booths on Euclid - my friend's son came in third in the pie eating contest, and...oops, there I go with the boring exploits.
There's pie. There's beer, both root and "tasty." There's also a new restaurant in town, the Dinky Diner; unfortunately I was a little too late getting there, so their culinary delights will have to wait for another trip.
But now that I'm back I'm running into a problem: finding ways to write about it. Having such a great time usually spawns a great wealth of creativity, but...well, the whole weekend was an "experience," and as such it's difficult to detail without either a.) experiencing it yourself, or b.) reading the minute details of someone else's experience and living vicariously through them. While that's kinda the point of a blog, it would become tedious indeed if an article degraded into "and then we went to the old Cook Bank building where Moffett and I wet our whistles, and then we went to the telegraph office, and then we went to the high school, and then we went to the courthouse..." so I'll just end while I'm ahead with a few of my better snaps and a short encouragement for the reader to experience Goldfield Days themselves - I promise that throwing caution (and possibly a little prejudice) to the wind will reap unimaginable rewards.
Goldfield Days Parade
I think you've had enough there, Moffett.
Columbia Mountain
At the close of day.
Nightlife
Home Means...
Yes, that's a pit bull in a muumuu.
Available at the Goldfield Gift Shop
Dust Devil Crossing Highway 95
A Cozy Weekend Home
The San Antonio Mountains at Dawn
Gemfield
Oh yes, and on the way home I had the luxury of eating one of Socorro's burgers in Mina. I recommend...I HIGHLY recommend...I DEMAND you try one the next time you drive through Mina.
