Experience history at Coloma Gold Rush Live

What: Coloma Gold Rush Live 2012

Who: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association

Where: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Highway 49, 310 Back St. in Coloma

When: Friday to Sunday, Oct. 12 to 14

Cost: $10 per carload

Information: 530-622-3470

It was 164 years ago that gold was discovered, on Jan. 24, 1848, in the tailrace of Sutter’s Sawmill in Coloma.

To keep the spirit of this historic event alive, docents and volunteers from Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the Gold Discovery Park Association and other California State Parks personnel are creating a living Gold Rush tent city during Coloma Gold Rush Live 2012 on Friday to Sunday, Oct. 12 to 14.

The images, sights and sounds of the tent city, along with a wide variety of interpretive and hands-on-activities create an enjoyable atmosphere for the visitors to the park during this special event.

Re-enactors will demonstrate early California cooking, blacksmithing, rope making, gambling (faro) and tinsmithing.

Wagon rides, children’s games, gold panning and letter writing home from the gold claims are just a few of the interpretive activities available. Coloma Gold Rush Live 2012 has activities for all ages to enjoy.

Coloma Gold Rush Live 2012 is held at the site of the discovery of gold, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Highway 49, 310 Back St. in Coloma, on Friday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The discovery of gold by James W. Marshall on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah brought the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades.

The cost is $10 per carload.

For more information call 530-622-3470.