CHLORIDE – Every year Arizona’s oldest inhabited silver mining community honors the memory of the hard rock miners who came to Chloride looking for their share of silver and gold in the 1860’s. This year’s family friendly celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 21st.
Festivities begin with the always popular Bake Sale at the corner of Elkhart Avenue and 2nd Street at 8 a.m. Chloride bakers have a reputation in Mohave County for baking the yummiest cookies, cakes, and other delights. After you have picked a goodie be sure to grab some raffle tickets. Starting at 10 a.m. the horseshoe tournament begins at the County Park on 2nd Street. Trophies are courtesy of Dean Kenedy. The High Desert Drifters gunfight troupe will shoot’em out at 11 a.m. in the Historical Society’s Cyanide Springs on Elkhart Avenue. The world-famous Drifters perform reenactments of Chloride’s wild past.
After the gunfights stop by the Jim Fritz Museum and the Silver Belle Playhouse next door. Both are full of Chloride’s memorabilia from its glory days. Visit the retail shops in Cyanide Springs before the parade. You will find locally made wooden creations, Arizona gifts, jewelry, and desert survival equipment.
At “High Noon” the fun-filled Old Miners’ Day parade marches down Tennessee Avenue. This year’s Color Guard is VFW Post 2190. Parade Grand Marshal is Luis Vega. Vega is a geologist, author, miner, and long-time resident of Kingman. Other parade entries include the Shriners Club, animals, floats, antique and classic vehicles, marching units, equestrian, motorcycles, and lots of other characters. If you have a hankering to be in the parade, it’s not too late. Simply check out the internet at Old Miners’ Day, Chloride, Arizona, click on the underscored word parade, fill out the 2-page entry form, print it out, and stop by the Chloride Town Hall on Payroll Avenue between 9:30 and 11 a.m. day of the parade. And more entry forms are available at the Town Hall.
At 1 p.m. the Silver Sage Vigilantes gunfight group take over Cyanide Springs. This troupe of performers will show you how the wild west was really won. If you want to try your hand at gold panning the Mohave Prospectors Association, the Mohave Rock and Gem Club, and the Las Vegas chapter of the Gold Prospectors of America, will be in Cyanide Springs. Besides gold panning the groups will share information about the mineral history of the area.
Besides these activities Joey Leone’s Chop Shop will perform live in Cyanide Springs. History buffs will enjoy visiting the old jail on Merrimac Avenue, the old train station around the corner on Schuylkill Avenue, the metal yard art, and old gas stations. Shoppers will find a unique variety of shops and vendors. Hungry, check out Yesterday’s Restaurant, the VFW or all the food vendors. If you feel adventurous visit the world-famous Roy Purcell Murals, and the petroglyphs left by the Hualapai Indians. Both are about one mile east of Chloride. Before starting out be sure to stop by the Mineshaft Market for directions and road conditions.
Parade awards will be given out at 2:30 p.m. at the Chloride Town Hall on Payroll Avenue, followed by the raffle drawing. This year’s raffle prizes include hotel stays, gift certificates, train rides, desert survival equipment, mugs, Chloride T-shirts, old time sodas, Arizona made gifts, restaurant coupons, jewelry, books, and so much more. Chloride is located 25 miles north of Kingman, 80 miles south of Las Vegas. Take Highway 93 to State Route 125, turn east four miles. Watch for the Chloride billboard and the official Arizona Visitor Center sign. For additional information call (626) 483-4571 or (928) 565-9777.
