Pioneer Day
Always the last Saturday in April
Our annual historical festival where we show what the town was like. We tell about the folks who settled here. Many come to see where Smartsville, Timbuctoo and Sucker Flat were and what they were like. It has turned into a town reunion of sorts. We have been able to learn more about the original settlers and even unite cousins who had lost track of the family tree and introduced people whose ancestors were neighbors and friends.
Pioneer Day started out as a way to get people to come to Smartsville and see the work we have done on the restoration of the former Church of the Immaculate Conception. Then we add a dose of gold rush living history to demonstrate what the area was like and why the church was such an important part of the community.
Old Time music makes it festive and of course some great food is necessary for any party. Activities for the kids makes it really family friendly and educational. It is a good cause as all the proceeds go towards the restoration.
Now it has become something that locals and people from out of town look forward to. Some even come back again and again, so whether you have been before or are new to our festival we welcome you!
Learn More
Pioneer Day is our annual fundraising event. It is the one chance we get to show off our work of the previous year and to add a little to our coffers so we can continue the work for another year.
Activities
Kids Activities
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
Popular Local Bands Perform
Scroll down to see a selection of activities just for the kids
Popular Local Bands Perform
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
Popular Local Bands Perform
Some of our Favorites
The Stamp Mill Stompers
Buffalo Galls
OCD Band
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
We invite everyone to dress in your finest gold rush era clothing. It adds to the experience of what it must have been like back then and you might win a prize for your interpretation.
Local Products
Dress in Gold Rush Era Style
Local producers sample and sell their fantastic specialties. Be sure to take some home with you. Scroll down for a section of local products.
Wagon Tours of the Blue Point Mine
Step up on our wagon and settle in for a ride back in time. Local experts narrate the tour of the old hydraulic mine and former townsite of Sucker Flat.
RAFFLE
Wonderful crafts and gifts from local merchants make our Raffle very popular.
Kids Activities
Gold Panning
Processing Acorns
Gold Panning
We have some authentic gold panners to teach you how to pan for gold yourself. Maybe you will find some real gold.
Water Safety
Processing Acorns
Gold Panning
The rangers of Englebright Lake want you to stay safe around the water so check out their game about how to be safe and still have fun
Processing Acorns
Processing Acorns
Learn how the first people gathered, ground, preserved and used the very nutritious acorns as food. After you master the grindin, you may even try a cookie made from them.
Kids on Stage
Plinky and plunky invite kids of all ages to come up on stage and choose on of their rhythm instruments and accompany them in some good old tyme tunes.
Art Contest
Kids activities
Each year Mrs. Burton has a selection of designs to be either painted or colored. There are prizes for the best one in each age group.
Kids activities
Kids activities
There is so much to do and see
Vendors
Meet Descendants
Meet Descendants
Meet descendants of people who setteled in Smartsville since its begining.
Exhibitors
Meet Descendants
People demonstrating skills like blacksmithing that were very necessary in the early days. If you have a skill you can demonstrate like Quilting, dollmaking, candle making or carving and would like to demonstrate please contact us.
Community Organizations
Loca lhistorical societies and service clubs, the cemetery commission, 4H, Firefighters association,
The Timbuctoo Theater
The Timbuctoo Theater is a small stage venue where characters portray stories of historical persons or stories.
Smartsville Diorama
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
Craft and Food Vendors
We have the best craft and food vendors!
If you would like to be a vendor click the button bellow and join us for this great event.