CHLORIDE, ARIZONA – Saddle up your horse, grab your favorite gal and head to Chloride on Saturday, October 15th for the 46th annual celebration of Old Miners’ Day!
This unique 1860’s silver mining camp in northwestern Arizona honors the hard rock miners who worked the more than 70 mines just east of Chloride in the Cerbat Mountains, looking for silver, gold, zinc, copper, and turquoise.
Celebrating begins at 9 a.m. when the Bake Sale opens at the corner of Tennessee and Second Street. Grab a goodie and head to the Mineshaft Market, just up the street, check out the vendors and listen to live music on the porch. At 11 a.m. the High Desert Drifters perform wild west gunfights in the Historical Society’s Cyanide Springs on Elkhart Avenue.
At 10 a.m. the Horseshoe Tournament begins at the county park on 2nd Street. If you’re interested in joining the fun call, Lathan at (425) 691-3857 for advance sign-up. Yesterday’s Saloon and Steakhouse is sponsoring the event.
Round about “High Noon” the always zany Old Miners’ Day parade wanders down Tennessee Avenue. This year we are honored to have the famous artist Roy Purcell as our Grand Marshal. Roy painted the world-famous Chloride mural, “The Journey”, in 1966. This year’s parade entries include antique and custom cars, floats, marching units, Shriners, animals, gunfighters, equestrians, Chloride’s VFW Post 2190, motorcycles, and other big surprises. It’s not too late to enter the parade, just stop by the Chloride Town Hall on Payroll Avenue between 9:30 and 11 a.m. day of the parade for late sign-up.
At I p.m. the High Desert Drifters gunfight troupe will again have a shoot-out at Cyanide Springs immediately followed by a demonstration by Wayward Archery. While you’re there stop by the Jim Fritz Museum and the Silver Belle Playhouse. Both are full of memorabilia from Chloride glory days. If you’re interested in panning for gold, stop by The Mohave Prospectors booth. Next door you can learn more about the Arizona ore at the Mohave Rock and Gem Club booth. Right across the way Wayward Archery has a booth where you can sign up for an archery lesson.
At 2:30 p.m., wander over to the Town Hall on Payroll Avenue where parade awards and raffle prizes will be given out. This year’s prizes include an autographed book about Roy Purcell, gift certificates, hats, hotel stays, food certificates, pocket knives, signs, and so much more.
If you feel a little adventurous check out the world-famous Roy Purcell murals about one mile east of town. Stop by the Mineshaft Market for directions and road conditions. When hunger strikes Yesterdays Saloon and Steakhouse on 2nd Street has an assortment of yummy delights or grab a treat at one of the food vendors. For shoppers, there is a unique variety of shops throughout town. For history buffs, a stroll through town finds an old jail, train station, gas stations, and lots of metal artwork in resident’s yards.
Chloride, Arizona’s old mining townsite, is located 25 miles north of Kingman, and 80 miles south of Las Vegas. Take Highway 93 to State Route 125, watch for the official Arizona Visitor Center sign. Chloride is located four miles east of Highway 93. For additional information call (626) 483-4571 contact this following email address: chloridechamber@gmail.com.
CHLORIDE SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 268, Chloride, Arizona 86431
(626) 483-4571
