In 1863 a prospector named For many travelers, Wickenburg is just a quiet town that is an ideal place to stop for gas or a bite to eat on the way to Las Vegas. However, few poeple outside of the town know that it was once a wild western town that entertained prospectors and cowboys 24 hours a day while they looked to spend their hard earned money form the Vulture Peak Mine. This colorful history is exactly what Gold Rush Days celebrates.
In 1863 a prospector named Henry Wickenburg discovered a vein of gold glittering on the surface of the Arizona desert about fifteen miles south of the Hassayampa River. The story says that Wickenburg shouted "gold" to a vulture flying overhead, and therefore named the mountain near the gold strike Vulture Peak.
After several years of working the area in search of gold, Wickenburg sold the claim to an investor who formed the Vulture Peak Mining Company. This new mining company had the ability to bring in the heavy machinery needed to blast and haul the remaining gold out of the ground.
Because of the gold strike the town of Wickenburg sprang to life. Saloons and gambling halls were open 24 hours a day to service the constant stream of customers to the town. High priced goods were brought into the town by wagon to suit the needs of what became one of the largest towns in the territory.
Today, the town of Wickenburg celebrates this rich history each year with Gold Rush Days. The festival is traditionally held on the second week in February but was changed this year to accomodate the Arizona Centennial festivities. In doing so, the big weekend is February 17-19 2012.
The Festivities begin on Friday where the kids are given a day off of school. There is a carnival and craft fair as well as a rodeo that evening. Saturday begins with the traditional parade through town followed by crowds visiting the craft fair, carnival, dinner theater, or one of the many restaurants that promonte their own gold rush specials. There are also western musical concerts including fiddle contests as well as gold panning for the kids.
The festivities for Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg is a great place to take families. The kids love the parade and wide variety of animals. The carnival is home to an unlimited supply of fried food, games and rides, and the weather and atmosphere are unvelievable. With all these things to consider, don't forget the town is only about a 25 minute drive northwest of the Valley.
