By Laurelle Walsh
Polish those cowboy boots, dust off that hat and iron your best Western shirt, Winthrop’s premier event – ’49er Days – happens this weekend with activities on main street, in the park and at the Winthrop Barn.
For the 70th year running, the Methow Valley’s Old West-themed town welcomes locals and visitors to celebrate its history and experience a bit of old-fashioned fun. Entertaining, educational, dazzling, delicious, silly and competitive, ’49er Days offers something for everyone.
On Friday (May 8), more than 100 horses, riders, carriages and covered wagons will roll into town at noon, as the 17th Ride to Rendezvous wraps up its annual horse-powered tour of the Methow Valley. Guests and crew have been on the valley’s dusty backroads for four days straight, so come out and give them a warm welcome back to civilization.
Saturday (May 9), plan to spend the day in Winthrop. Spectators will line the boardwalk for the big ’49er Days parade, with pre-parade entertainment at 10:30 a.m. courtesy of the West Coast Country Heat line dancers and the Western Vigilantes.
The parade starts at 11 a.m., with ’49er royalty and floats, the Wells Fargo stagecoach, pack strings, marching bands, cowboys and mountain men. Parade entries will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday. Download a form at winthropwashington.com/event/49er-days or call the Visitor Information Center at 996-2125.
Gather in front of Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe immediately after the parade for street games including the egg toss, Gummy Bear spitting contest, rock-paper-scissors contest, and pie-eating contest.
Then head over to Mack Lloyd Park, where the schedule of events will keep everyone busy.
All afternoon
Mountain men encampment
Professional outfitter display camps
Horse packer demonstrations
Crafts and merchandise vendors
Noon-2 p.m.
Hot dogs and brats by the MV Snowmobile Association
Pulled pork sandwiches by Winthrop Kiwanis
12:30-4 p.m.
Lauralee Northcott hosts open mic in the park bandshell. Performers will include Johnny Green & The Pack String, Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band, cowboy poets Dave McClure and Tom Swearingen, Western Music Association members and community members.
4 p.m.
Fairfax Junior High School Band performs at the bandshell.
5-6:30 p.m.
Authentic chuck wagon steak dinner served in the park – $20.
Entertainment moves into the Barn for the evening.
7-9 p.m.
“Around the Campfire,” hosted by Jess Darwood and Ryan Surface, with cowboy poetry, music and stories – $10.
9:30 p.m.-midnight
Country Western family dance with Terry Lee Hardesty & The Last Outlaws – $5.
On Sunday (May 10) the fun continues in the park.
8-10 a.m.
Treat your mother to a cowboy breakfast – $10.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Washington State Packing Competition, where outfitters pack a mule for a high mountain trip. Judging based on accuracy and speed.
Live auction of horse tack, handcrafts, log furniture, Western decor and quilts.
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