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ELKO, Nev. – The California Trail Interpretive Center is celebrating “The Rhythm of the Trail” at California Trail Days, an annual event that brings pioneer history to life. Musical performances will be ongoing both days.

The California Trail Interpretive Center will present the 15th annual pioneer reenactment, California Trail Days, on May 19-20, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The family friendly event is free and open to everyone.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the pioneer encampment and Shoshone summer camp. Young visitors can learn how to shoot a bow, pan for gold, play pioneer games, and much more.

 “From children’s activities and demonstrations to history programs, we have something for everyone at this year’s event,” said Park Ranger Greg Feathers. “We also encourage folks to join us by the campfire for Shoshone storytelling on Saturday night.”

The following is a program schedule:

Saturday, May 19

10:00 a.m., South Fork Room: Legends, Lies and Lore of the American West

The history of the American West is often intertwined with mythology. Many of the myths make colorful stories, but inaccurate history. Join former Trail Center Manager Dave Jamiel as he separates fact from fiction with many prominent legends, lies and lore of the American West.

11:00 a.m., Lobby:  The Anatomy of a Wagon:  How a Wagon Works

Wagons were indispensable for thousands of emigrants. Join Frank Tortorich to learn how a wagon works. Tortorich is a historian, author, and member of the California Trail Heritage Alliance.

11:00 a.m., Plaza: Guided Tour in Spanish

California Trail Center Interpreter Isabel Sanchez will provide tours of the pioneer and Shoshone camps in Spanish. The tour begins on the plaza.

12:00 p.m., Lobby:  Frontier Music with Hank Cramer

Hank Cramer is one of the best-loved folksingers in the American West. He is widely known for his booming bass voice, smooth picking on a vintage flat-top guitar, and his wry sense of humor. He has a repertoire of over a thousand modern and traditional songs, spanning the genres of Celtic, Appalachian, maritime, cowboy, and plain old folk music.

1:00 p.m., Lobby: Shoshone and Paiute songs with Gayleen Roy

Gayleen Roy is a Paiute Shoshone singer from Yerington, Nevada. Follow along as she sings traditional lullabies, hand game, circle dance, and flag songs.

2:00 p.m., Plaza: Guided Tour in Spanish

California Trail Center Interpreter Isabel Sanchez will provide tours of the pioneer and Shoshone camps in Spanish. The tour begins on the plaza.

2:00 p.m., Shoshone Summer Camp:  Eagle Warriors Youth Drum

The Eagle Warriors Youth Drum is a drumming group from Owyhee, Nevada. The students, from Owyhee Combined School, began drumming as part of an afterschool activity in the spring of 2016, with the help of local elder, Elena Atkins, and facilitator Colene Paradise.

7:00 p.m., Shoshone Camp: Shoshone Fireside Stories with Andrea Woods

Listen to Shoshone legends such as why the Coyote has amber eyes and why the blue jay has black feet. Andrea Woods is a member of the Wells Band.

Sunday, May 20

10:00 a.m., South Fork Room: William Ormsby, The Overland Routes and the Creation of Nevada Territory

During the late 1850s, Major William Ormsby and his friends created provisional Nevada Territory as part of a broad political and military strategy to control the central overland route and change the face of the far-West. This talk and slide show outlines Chris Bayer’s books researching that effort. The story is central to the California Trail as well as to the founding of Nevada. Copies of his book will be available for sale.

11:00 a.m., Lobby:  The Anatomy of a Wagon:  How a Wagon Works

Wagons were indispensable for thousands of emigrants. Join Frank Tortorich to learn how a wagon works. Tortorich is a historian, author, and member of the California Trail Heritage Alliance.

12:00 p.m., Lobby: Gold Rush Songs with Chris Bayer

Enjoy gold rush mining songs from 1849 to 1863. Chris Bayer will bring his old banjo to inform and entertain with the stories and tunes that defined gold rush songs. The program includes important reflections on mining and western culture.

1:00 p.m., Lobby: Shoshone and Paiute songs with Gayleen Roy

Gayleen Roy is a Paiute Shoshone singer from Yerington, Nevada. Follow along as she sings lullabies, hand game, circle dance, and flag songs traditionally sung by the tribes that inhabited the Great Basin.

3:00 p.m. Lobby: Shoshone Songs with Lois Whitney and Katherine Blossom.

Listen to and learn about traditional Shoshone songs. These songs will focus on the Great Basin and the creatures that shared this landscape with the Shoshone people.

For more information about programs at California Trail Days, visit www.californiatrailcenter.org or call (775) 738-1849.

The California Trail Interpretive Center is located eight miles west of Elko on I-80, Hunter exit 292. The Center is Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.