Columbia State Historic Park
Columbia California
Chamber of Commerce

Serving Columbia State Historic Park, California
 Columbia, Ca
Events in Columbia for 2009 (Still a tad incomplete)
Every 2nd Sat. of the month.
1-4pm
Gold Rush Days
Volunteers in period costumes staff a variety of venues, from the bowling alley (yes!), the Wells Fargo office, the old schoolhouse and replica dry goods stores. September's Gold Rush Days is also a celebration of California's Statehood in 1850, with a concert by the Great Motherlode Brass and Reed Band. Free!
 
March 27 Columbia day Celebration
The date in 1850 when gold was discovered in Columbia
Click Here
for more info.
 

March 28,
6-11pm

Saturday

Columbia Fandango & Casino Nite
Learm to dance & Learn to Gamble! $20 Admission - ADULTS ONLY! Free Buggy Rides. Victorian Dress Encouraged! Winnings used to bid on auction items. Lisa Smithson, Chair.
Click Here for more info.
 
April 12 Easter Celebration
Residents & Visitors participate in this event. Many children appear in historic dress. The docents always have a number of individuals participating. Their authentic costuming & characterizations of residents from the gold rush era add a splash of color to this lively event.
Click Here
for more info..
 
April 19, Sunday
1-4pm

The 33rd annual Columbia Wine Tasting
A benefit for the Columbia College Culinary Arts Program, tickets are $45, available by calling 209-588-5089. More than 50 wineries statewide and local food purveyors will be represented. Proceeds benefit the Columbia College Foundation.

 
May 2 & 3 Fireman's Muster
Columbia is home of volunteer fire crews from around the western US & particiipate in a variety of events designed to test their skills in motorized & historic fire fighting endeavors. Parade on Saturday & a dance that evening. Sponsored by the Mother Lode Fireman's Association.
Free! Click Here for more
 
May 28, 29,
30, 31
Columbia Diggins 1852
During the early stages of nonnative Californian occupation of this area, the town was a camp or "tent town". The Columbia Docents dress in period costume & Reconstruct a tent town for the occasion. Click Here for more info.
 
June 6, Saturday at 5pm 1st Annual Sarasaparilla Roundup - Jack B. Douglass Saloon
Presented by Columbia Soda Works
Sarasaparilla Cook-off, Songwriters Contest, Belching Contest, Pasta Feed (while it lasts), Music, Dancing, Hilarity Frivolity. Music by: Faux Renwah, Rose Creek Ramblers.
Come help us celebrate 10 years of serving Columbia and the World! For more info call Cheryl @ 209-532-1830.
 
June 20, 21
Sat, Sun
43rd Annual - Father's Day Fly In
Airplane rides, classic airplanes and other events are conducted all day long at the airport.
The Columbia Airport is approximately a half-mile walk from the park. Click Here for more.
 
July 4 Glorious 4th of July Celebration
Columbia returns to the years gone by for this traditional celebration of our nation's birth. A parade down Main St. starts the activities, races, greased pole climbing, watermelon eating contests, BBQ, fashion shows, & much more hightlight the day. Click Here for more info..
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July 11
Saturday
8-10:30pm
Big Band Street Dance
Click Here for details.
 
Aug 1
10am - 6pm
Battle of Sawmill Flat
For your amusement, a planned "reenactment" (of sorts) of the happening.
For further information Click Here
 
 
Aug. 23
5-8pm
Back to School 1861
Open house at the old schoolhouse on the hill. Including a rare opporutnity to climb the old staircase to the upper floor, ring the bell, experience an 1860s class in session, schoolyard games, music and more. Free!
 
Sept. 12, Saturday
Admisssions Day
The actual day that California joined the Union. It was a few weeks later that the town found this out and celebrated.
Click Here for more info. Free!
 
Sept. 20, Sunday
9-5pm
37th Annual Columbia Art Show
This fine art show features over 45 local painters, photographers, potters and sculptors who will display their fine art on the shady streets of the Columbia State Historic Park. For more info, call 209-536-9047 or Click Here
 
Sept 26 Poison Oak Show
Click Here for more info. Free!
 
Oct 3 Fiddle & Bango Contest
Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocal and Miscellaneous! (The name "Bango" was a misprint on the 1st "t"-shirts and the name stuck!) Free. Click Here for more info. Free!
 
Oct. 10 & 11 Columbia Harvest FestiFall
Traditional American wares, demonsrations of rope making, weaving & candle dipping. Gold Rush period music. Click Here for more info. Free!
 
Nov 27 - Dec 24 Candy Cane Making
Want to make your own Candy Cane? BY LOTTERY DRAWING ONLY!! Get your card in now for next year! Deadline is Labor Day for participating in the candy cane making at 12:00 & 1:00. Click Here for more info.
 
Dec. 4 & 5
Fri. & Sat.
Lamplight Tour
This event is a walking play guided by lamplight thru the historic town. Tour groups are led from scene to scene by costumed docents through the play.
It is a wonderful way to begin your joyous holiday season and fun for the whole family.
Tours last a little more than an hour and will be handicap accessible. Be prepared for cold weather and sometimes rain. Refreshments are served at the end of the tour in a warm building. Click Here for more info.
 
Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20
Sat. & Sun.
A Miner's Christmas
Costumed interpreters recreate the mining camp of the 1850s as homesick miners roast chestnuts and hot cider, and perform live music for park visitors.
19th century toys and games, Victorian Holiday craft making, and Christmas storytelling make this an enjoyable experience for the entire family, an antidote for the big store holiday shopping experience. Click Here for more info. Free!
 
Dec. 11, 12
Friday, Saturday
5-8pm
Merry Merchants - invite you and yours to enjoy an evening of old fashioned Christmas charm in Columbia!
Begin your evening by greeting Father Christmas and receive a gift from the Merry Merchants. Shop in the tradition of times gone by without the hustle and hassle of malls or traffic jams. Listen to the sounds of the season: Carolers and Christmas songs performed by local children & stories told by local storytellers. Click Here for more info.
Free!
 
Dec. 13
11am
All Equestrian Christmas Parade
Sponsored by Mid Valley Unit of Backcountry Horsemen of California.
Click Here
for more info or call 209-599-2620. Free!
 
Dec. 13
5pm
Las Posadas - Gold Rush Style
The familiar nativity procession is given a Mexican and gold rush era flavor in this popular event. The streets are lined with candle filled paper bags as the participants stroll down Main Street to the "manger" located between State and Jackson Streets.
This is a community event that just seems to happen on its own.
Click Here for more info or call 209-532-6604. Free event!
 

See also, City Hotel Special Events page.
Click here for discount coupons redeemable at many merchants

Dates & times subject to change without notice.
 

Other pages of interest on our Website...
Where is Columbia California? (MAP & DIRECTIONS)

Historic Buildings | School Living History Program | Columbia Docents
Friends of Columbia SHP | Columbia Diggins 1852
Contact Us | Columbia Airport Information
July 4th 2004 Parade | Disclaimer | Misc. Photos
Downtown Columbia Map | Tree League of Columbia

© 2000-2009 Columbia Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1824, Columbia, CA, 95310
209-536-1672

Email: info@columbiacalifornia.com

Webmaster Jasper Hamilton