Gunfighters from around the country will convene at the Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall in Jean, Nev. to recreate the history of the “Old West” April 30 – May 2. Dressed in authentic period garb, gunfighters, mountain men, cowboys, Civil War soldiers, Indians and miners will compete in skits and with encampments to place in the Gold Strike Grand National Competition of the “Old West.”
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this family-friendly competition, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, April 30 – May 2. Admission and parking is free all three days. Visitors can get up close and personal with the competitors as there are no stands or bleachers. You’ll be able to get as close as 20 feet from the mock gun fights and other skits! Many of the competitors are quite the photo hounds, so photo opportunities will be plenty! Make sure you bring your cameras.
In addition to the skits scheduled throughout all days of the event, there will be open authentic encampments through which visitors can “time travel” back to the “Old West” and see how people really lived. Visitors can walk into a 30–foot-round tee pee, experience a mountain man camp, stroll through a Civil War era camp and experience an array of additional living history encampments. Each encampment will feature an expert historian who can walk you through the living history they represent.
Those wishing for an even more hands on experience can try their hand at gold panning and visit one of the vendors selling authentic “Old West” wear.
Jeff Connors, grandson of Chuck Connors, will be on hand with the actual rifle his grandfather used when starring in the television show The Rifleman. Many of the actors participating in the show have worked on Western movies and TV shows and have fantastic stories to tell.
Sunday afternoon will feature the awards ceremony and final costume contests, during which each participant will show off his/her costume and explain to the audience how it was made and the reason it was worn by folks of the “Old West.”
The show is created by the Reenactment Guild of America, an Arkansas – based group dedicated to preserving the history of the mid- to late-19th century “Old West” through living history encampments. The group boasts hundreds of members throughout the world and is focused on providing safe experiences to “Old West” fans throughout the world.
The Grand National Competition of the “Old West” will take place at the Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall in Jean, Nev. The Gold Strike is located at exit 12 off I-15 approximately 25 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip on the way to California. Built with a western theme in 1987, the Gold Strike continues to serve as a last-minute stop for travelers heading to and from Southern California. The Gold Strike offers five restaurants including a buffet, café, steak house, Chinese restaurant and a snack bar.
If you plan to attend the event, an alternative to I-15 would be to drive down Las Vegas Boulevard South, approximately 20 minutes past St. Rose Parkway and the M Resort and park in the Gold Strike parking lot.
Gold Strike Grand National Competition of the “Old West” Facts:
Dates: April 30 – May 2
Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Location: Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall, Exit 12 off I-15, approximately 25 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip
Admission: Free to the public
Parking: Free parking available at the Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall