Wagon Train to light up Broadway Saturday

WITH WIND-BLOWN canopies on the lead wagons, teamster Jeff Shinn, left, and brakeman George Alger hold a parasol to keep dry as they climb the last mile up Echo Summit Monday for the 63rd Highway 50 Association Wagon Train. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

When the 63rd annual Highway 50 Association Wagon Train rolls into Placerville on Saturday, June 9, the first stop for the long day and evening of celebration will be on Broadway. With 15 wagons and more than 100 outriders, this year’s Wagon Train is bound to be an impressive arrival.

Beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m., the Broadway Village Association is sponsoring a Wagon Train celebration and welcome at the Mountain Democrat parking lot, 1360 Broadway, in Placerville.

“We’ll have a big picnic tent with tables so people can bring their own picnic lunches or purchase food from a vendor,” said Marian Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick’s Physical Therapy,” and  hand-made crafts, children’s activities and a DJ playing music will be on hand.”

DJ Norm Hammond of Hammond’s Hits, courtesy of Accurate Tax Services,  will be presenting a mix of country and rock music and there will be Taekwando and dance demonstrations as well as free kid crafts.Waffles from the Waffle Shop, tri-tip sandwiches and salads from Foothill Culinary Creations and cotton candy from the Broadway Village Association will be available for purchase as well as beverages.

“The Wells Fargo Stagecoach will be in the parking lot all day too, so people can have their picture taken with it, ” said Fitzpatrick, “and there are a lot of small free activities available for families.”

In addition to the family activities, one child will win a bicycle and others will win other prizes for their participation in a coloring contest.

Then, at 10 a.m.  the Wagon Train rolls into Placerville, right down Broadway. Horses will jingle harness, mountain men will look dashing and everyone will get a chance to see the survivors of the week-long bistate historical trek down Highway 50.

Just two blocks further down Broadway, the Hangtown Village Square will also help welcome the Wagon Train with free pony rides and a petting zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We’ll also have a free  buckboard wagon to transport people to and from the Mountain Democrat parking lot to Hangtown Village Square to help out with extra parking,” said Shawn Ebrahimi, owner of SK Salon in Hangtown Village Square.

From the celebratory festivities on Broadway, you can follow the Wagon Train to downtown Placerville and the final celebration on Placerville Drive.

COOL COWBOY —€” Dave Preszler, 48, of Placerville on his horse Tango, flanks the caravan of wagons as they climb the summit. Preszler was honored with this year’s Joe Campbell award for his participation and support in the Highway 50 Association Wagon Train. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

SEEKING SHELTER from the rain, Brittney Hultsman, 18, of Shingle Springs with Pepper, left, and Crystal Newborn, 19, of Pleasant Grove with Little Lady, the horses they rode in this year’s Highway 50 Association Wagon Train. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

RAIN OR SHINE Wagon Train participants Jack, 81, and Merle Rouleau, 78, of Shingle Springs stand in front of one of the wagons they rode from Meyers to Echo Summit. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

WITH WIND-BLOWN canopies on the lead wagons, teamster Jeff Shinn, left, and brakeman George Alger hold a parasol to keep dry as they climb the last mile up Echo Summit Monday for the 63rd Highway 50 Association Wagon Train. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Wendy Schultz

Wendy Schultz has been a columnist for the Mountain Democrat since 2002 and a staff writer since 2005. She covers Placerville city events and City Council meetings, writes feature stories and reports on things of interest in El Dorado County.

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