Winthrop’s annual ’49er Days celebration gets started at noon on Friday, May 6, when participants in the annual Ride to Rendezvous, a week-long horse packing excursion through the Methow Valley high country organized by the Washington Outfitters and Guides Association (WOGA), finish their journey in downtown Winthrop.
Saturday’s (May 7) activities begin with a performance by the West Coast Country Heat dance team on Riverside Avenue, starting at 10:30 a.m. Next up is the annual parade along Riverside Avenue.
After the parade, from noon-2 p.m. kids can take part in a number of free, old-fashioned games in front of Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe on Riverside Avenue. From 1-5 p.m., give mechanical bull rides on Riverside Avenue a try at no charge. Beginning at noon in Mack Lloyd Park, Winthrop Kiwanis will offer barbecue pulled pork sandwiches until 2 p.m. or until they sell out.
From 1-4 p.m., WOGA members will gather for visiting, festive old-time music and story-telling in the park. The annual outfitters dinner will be from 5-6:30 p.m. — steak, barbecue and Dutch oven fixings for $25.
Back on Riverside Avenue, line dancing lessons will be offered by West Coast Country Heat from 6-7 p.m., followed by a street dance at 7 p.m. featuring music by the Johnny Green and the Pack String band. The sponsoring Winthrop Chamber of Commerce asks a $10 donation; kids 12 and under are free. On Sunday (May 8) at Mack Lloyd Park, WOGA hosts a Mother’s Day cowboy breakfast from 8-10 a.m. for $10. At 10 a.m., there will be a packers’ demonstration.
For complete information, visit https://winthropwashington.com/events/western-heritage; or www.woga.org.
