CANYON CITY — The 102nd annual ‘62 Days returns June 16 and 17 to celebrate the discovery of gold in Canyon City in June of 1862.

The two-day festival features food, live music, contests, vendors and the chance to spend time in the historic Sel’s Brewery, which is only open for special occasions.

In addition to ‘62 Days, Sel’s will be open on Aug. 18 for a concert by The Lowdown Drifters and Sept. 16 for Oktoberfest.

“It’ll be open three times this year,” said Colby Farrell of the Whiskey Gulch Gang, which organizes the annual festival.

The brewery was built in 1872. It, along with the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, are the only two buildings that have survived three fires during Canyon City’s history that destroyed the town, Farrell said.

Music and more

For ‘62 Days, Sel’s will be open Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. with live music by the Copper Ridge Band starting at 8:30 p.m.

Earlier on Friday is a cornhole tournament, starting at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, the Gold Rush run/walk begins at 8 a.m. — the start and finish is at Sel’s Brewery. Awards and ribbons will be given to the first finisher in each 10-year age group. Entry is $20 — pre-registration forms are available at the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, 301 W. Main St. in John Day.

The ‘62 Days parade begins at 11 a.m. Participants can start lining up at 9 a.m. at Humboldt Elementary. Categories include mounted group, mounted individuals, walking group, group, antique car, business and best representation of 1862. This year’s grand marshals are Steve and Carolyn Mullin.

The Medicine Wagon Show starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, the traditional hanging and shooting reenactments commence at 2:30 p.m., and the cornhole tournament is at 3 p.m.

After the parade, the James Gang band will play in the park and a pie social will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Saturday will also feature games, contests and gold panning for the kids.

Information

For updates on events, check the Whiskey Gulch Gang page on Facebook, or send an email to whiskeygulchgang@gmail.com.