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California Days returns to Calico Ghost Town to celebrate mining, early history

Above, in 2022, California Days eventgoers experience the craft of ropemaking by the early settlers. Rope makers had to be skilled artisans to produce quality ropes. The entire rope-making process was affected by the ability and experience of the rope maker. Although machines gradually replaced skilled rope makers, traditional techniques survived to the late 1800s.

Yermo, Calif. — San Bernardino County Regional Parks and Apollo Silver Corp. are excited to celebrate the second annual California Days event at Calico Ghost Town over Presidents’ Day weekend on Feb. 18-19, 2023.

California Days celebrates early California history with a focus on California’s admission to the union as the nation’s 31^st state on Sept. 9, 1850.

This family-friendly event will precede National California Day, which lands on February 22 every year and will celebrate the people and culture of early California by hosting family activities, gunfight shows and educational displays on the state’s Bear Flag, Pony Express Trail, and Butterfield Overland Trail.

Serving as a natural backdrop to the Old West, Calico will travel back in time with a beard and mustache contest, arts & crafts, games and contests for all ages, pony rides, stories from the Pony Express, and a Pony Express relay for kids under 11.

Eventgoers can enjoy our fair food lineup with goodies such as pretzels, lemonade, and tater tot creations, or for very hungry appetites, the Calico Restaurant, Old Miner’s Café and Lil’s Saloon will be open.

Mining event sponsors include the Apollo Silver Corp., CalPortland Company, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation and Equinox Gold, who will be on-hand to provide educational mining information and displays. Local food franchise Raising Canes Chicken Fingers from Barstow will also be on-hand to provide prize giveaways to eventgoers.

Calico will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices are $10 per adult, $5 children ages 4-11, and 3 years and under are FREE.

For more details and a daily schedule of events, visit parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-california-days.

Calico Ghost Town offers full and partial camping at the park. Reservations may be booked directly online at www.sbcountyparks.com. Cabins and bunkhouses are also available. Please call 800-862-2542 to reserve.

Calico Ghost Town is located off I-15 at Ghost Town Road in Yermo, just 10 miles north of Barstow at 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA 92398. Visit parks.sbcounty.gov/events for upcoming events.

About Regional Parks: The Regional Parks Department manages and maintains 11 Regional Parks throughout San Bernardino County, including portions of the Santa Ana River Trail, totaling approximately 9,200 acres. Each park offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities in settings that range from metro, mountain and desert scenery.

Among the activities that can be found in our Regional Parks are: Lakes for fishing, sheltered group picnic facilities accommodating up to 350 people, swim complexes with water slides, zero depth water play parks, and playgrounds. Six of our Regional Parks offer scenic camping from tent to large RV rentals to full hook-ups. Calico Ghost Town is an Old-West mining town and historical landmark from 1881.

Visit parks.sbcounty.gov for more park information and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Above, in 2022, Cathy Fitzgerald, M.Sc., P.Geo. from Apollo Silver Corp. leans in to talk to some children about mining and the important role silver plays in modern consumer products.

About San Bernardino County: San Bernardino County is a diverse public service organization serving America’s largest county. We are governed by an elected Board of Supervisors and dedicated to creating a community where nearly 2.2 million residents can prosper and achieve well-being as outlined in the Countywide Vision. It is comprised of 42 departments and agencies, which are staffed by more than 25,000 public service professionals who provide a wide range of vital services in the areas of public safety, health care, social services, economic and community development and revitalization, fiscal services, infrastructure, recreation and culture, and internal support. San Bernardino County’s organizational culture is defined by the four pillars of value, innovation, service, and vision. For more information, visit sbcounty.gov.