By Vivian Hopkins, Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation Inc.

GOLD HILL — The 26th annual Gold Hill Founders’ Day will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27 at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park.

The event celebrates the history and culture of the once famous 19th century gold mining boom town. Hosted by the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation Inc., Saturday’s events include arts, crafts, heritage living exhibits, Civil War living history encampment, parade, gold panning, entertainment, food and more.

Saturday begins at 9 a.m. and the Founders’ Day Parade is at 10 a.m., beginning at the Gold Hill Fire Department. Parade entries may call 704-279-7897 or arrive at the Fire Department between 9-9:30 a.m.

Entertainment hosted by Grass Strings Bluegrass Band will begin at the amphitheater stage at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. A Bluegrass and Old Time Music Jam will be held at the rear of the Log Barn 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all musicians, hosted by the instructors of Carolina Folkworks of Salisbury.

An instrument petting zoo will be located at the Log Barn, and kids will also be able to make their own musical instrument.

The Log Barn will also be the site of the Civil War living history encampment hosted by the 63rd NC Troops and the 28th NC Troops. A larger than usual number of re-enactors is expected to participate this year.

They will be camped onsite at the log barn for the weekend. The troops will demonstrate a Civil War Skirmish on the lawn at the rear of the Log Barn at 5:30 p.m.

Be sure to have your kids to look for “gold nuggets” on the grounds throughout the park. Nineteenth century gold tycoon Walter George Newman was known to have tossed gold nuggets to kids during his time managing the mines at Gold Hill. In keeping with that tradition, there will be more than a hundred “gold nuggets” to be found, that can be used to purchase small gifts at the Historic Foundation booth near the jail.

The Gold Hill Lions Club will host vision and hearing screenings in the 21st Century Mobile Screening Unit in the park near the Russell-Rufty Shelter. This is a screening only and should not be confused with a complete exam.

Other Saturday events include the History Hayrides to the Gold Hill Pond and Powder House from noon to 4 p.m. Ride tickets may be purchased at the Assay Office Museum. The shops in the village will also be open Saturday with lots going on including entertainment at several locations.

New this year will be a Sunday Gospel Singing to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the amphitheater, a fund raiser to benefit the Children’s Memorial Playground fund. Donations will be accepted both days.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park is located in eastern Rowan County at 735 St. Stephens Church Road. For more information call 704-267-9439 or visit www.historicgoldhill.com. Also find information on Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina.

Saturday’s events:

Food available in the park all day

9 a.m. Park opens – All exhibits, arts/crafts etc.

10 a.m. Founders’ Day Parade (street will be blocked at 9:55 a.m.)

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Entertainment Amphitheater

Noon Music jam, instrument petting zoo, instrument building Log Barn until 4 p.m.

12-4 p.m. History Hayrides to Gold Hill Pond and Powder House. Schedule posted at Assay Office/Post Office Museum

5:00pm Civil War Skirmish- Log Barn

Saturday’s performances:

Noon-4 p.m. Bluegrass Jam-Log Barn

11 a.m. Grass Strings (host band, shown above right)

11:45 a.m. Traphill Express

12:30 p.m. Efird Family Singers

1:15 p.m. Samantha Gabriel

1:45 p.m. Hazy Ridge

2:30 p.m. Southern Style Cloggers

3 p.m. E. H. Montgomery Entertainers

3:45 p.m. Windsong Recorder Ensemble

4:15 p.m. Grass Strings

5 p.m. End of Stage Show

The Gospel Singing fund raiser is Sunday afternoon’s event

1:45 p.m. Joseph Broadway

2:30 p.m. Jordan River Band

3:15 p.m. Raising Glory

4 p.m. Fox Branch Boys