CANYON CITY — Since 1922, residents of Canyon City have celebrated ’62 Days to commemorate the event that established the Grant County town.

Gold was discovered in Canyon Creek near Whiskey Gulch on June 8, 1862.

The Whiskey Gulch Gang was formed in 1922 and organized the first ’62 Days.

Colby Farrell, a member of the Whiskey Gulch Gang, points out that those first celebrations were during Prohibition — and he suspects the festival was a way to circumvent that law.

“There’s never been a ’62 Days without alcohol,” he said with a laugh.

Sel’s Brewery, located in Canyon City, was shut down during Prohibition and has had several other tenants over the years. In 1972, the Whiskey Gulch Gang took it back to its roots.

“They restored it to an old-time saloon,” Farrell said. “We open it every year for ’62 Days.”

This year’s celebration is June 10 and 11.

Sel’s Brewery will be open both Friday and Saturday nights with live music by Copper Ridge.

A chili cook-off happens Friday night — for information, call Bill at 208-870-8216 — and a few vendors will be set up.

Saturday starts early with the Gold Rush Run and Walk at 8 a.m. Same-day registration is $22 and starts at 7 a.m. at Sel’s Brewery.

The Miners Breakfast also starts at 8 a.m. at the fire hall.

Parade entries can line up at 9 a.m. at Humbolt Elementary, and the parade begins at 11 a.m., followed by games and events around town.

The day also features music by the James Gang, a pie social at the Episcopal Church, a medicine wagon show, a melodrama, a talent show and contests at Painted Sky Center for the Arts, and a shoot-out and mock hanging at 2 p.m.

Vendors will also be set up throughout the day on Saturday. At 4 p.m., a cornhole tournament is planned at Sel’s.

“We’ll try to have a good time like we always do,” Farrell said. “This is the big celebration — Canyon City’s big hoorah.”

For information, visit the Whiskey Gulch Gang page on Facebook, call 541-575-0329 or send an email to whiskeygulchgang@gmail.com.