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Mother's
Day weekend in May is the 67th annual '49er Days
Celebration. This year's theme is (to be
determined). Indeed, Winthrop will be filled
with living history when packers and pack trains,
cowboys, cowgirls, and an entire wagon train all
converge for three days of western events and
fun.
The
celebration begins at high noon on Friday, May
11, in downtown Winthrop with the arrival of the
"Ride to the Rendezvous" wagon train.
The wagon train, sponsored by the Washington
Outfitters and Guides Association ("WOGA"),
spends five days traversing Methow Valley's back
country trails to reach Winthrop just in time
for '49er Days. Come join all the town's
people in welcoming the riders.
Friday evening at 7pm
the '49er Days celebration gets going in full
swing with the Dollar
Watch Cowboy Jamboree at the Barn. This
cowboy variety show promises to lift your spirits.
The Jamboree host, LauraLee Northcott,
will introduce the '49er Day Queen and Grand Marshal
and Lady.
Saturday
morning,  May
12th, at 11am, the Winthrop '49er Days Parade
takes center stage on main street. This
parade boasts more horses than any other parade
in Washington and is known for the longest pack
strings anywhere. The parade also has mountain
men, royalty, fire trucks, old cars, homemade
floats, as well as marching bands, funny and interesting
characters, and school kids. Come watch,
or come be a part of the parade!!!
After
the parade, activities continue in town.
At noon, the Trails End Bookstore will be hosting
children's author, Lois Harris, who will be reading
her book, "Charlie Rusell, Tale Telling Cowboy
Artist.". All afternoon, Sheri's Sweet
Shoppe will be hosting old-fashioned games throughout
the afternoon including pie eating, hula hooping
and a jelly bean spitting contest. In the
park, Methow Arts will be setting a booth with
a fabulous western themed art project for kids.
 Meanwhile,
at the Winthrop Park, members of Washington
Outfitters and Guides Association gather
for their annual packer rendezvous. This year
marks the 23rd anniversary of WOGA joining the
'49er Days celebration! WOGA members set
up display camps to offer folks a glimpse of outdoor
life, a taste of campfire cooking, and a sample
of cowboy music and poetry. They also provide
outdoor activities for children and Western vendors
and demonstrations.
At
the park from noon until 2:00, hungry visitors can find
pizza, brats and barbeque.
Saturday evening and Sunday you will find more good food, cowboy music and poetry, a packing competition, and western auctions at the park or in the Barn. At
9:30pm Saturday night, come dance to the Family Band
at the Winthrop Barn.
Please visit the Washington Outfitters & Guides Association
website for all details:
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