Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal File Photo Ava Hahn, 55, a member of the Nevada Civil War Volunteers shows herbal remedies last year to Sumer and Satina Garton from Carson City during the 23rd annual Carson City Rendezvous at Mills Park. The Rendezvous offered 112 vendors, camel rides, gunfighters show and a mountain men camp.
Carson City's rich frontier history will be celebrated this weekend as the 24th annual Carson City Rendezvous comes to life.
Nestled beneath the cottonwood trees at Mills Park, the frontier lifestyle in the days of Kit Carson and John C. Fremont in the mid-19th century will be on display at more than 80 booths and in numerous demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Visitors can witness fire starting with flint and steel, muzzle-loading rifles and pistols and the swift accuracy of tomahawk and knife throwing in the Mountain Man Encampment - a time journey itself back to the songs and storytelling of early Nevada.
The three-day event draws more than 20,000 people to witness Civil War Union and Confederate camps, gunfights and Pony Express relay re-enactments. The Native American Village will feature dancers, artisans and Pueblo de Nevada Spanish music and dance performances to help bring Nevada's rich history to life.
The Nevada Gunfighters of Carson City will host teams from Southern California and beyond throughout the weekend. Saturday afternoon, the female gunfighters will have a Victorian fashion show on the main stage.
Making his first appearance to the Rendezvous is Paul Hirdler, 59, from Ojai, Calif. Hirdler, who was recently ordained with the Universal Life Church, will offer Sunday cowboy church.
"I love horses, the Old West and shows about it," Hirdler said. "Basically, I've liked the Old West from my childhood.
Hirdler said it's the straight-forward, black-and-white way of life he admires.
"It was a nice way of life," he said.
Hirdler said Sunday's church will include the sermon, a lesson from the gospel, and group prayer.
"There will be a script everyone can follow and participate. I will keep it as short as possible, and I'll be dressed as an 1860s preacher."
Hirdler, who is a member of the National Pony Express Association, will participate Saturday in reenactments with the Nevada members of the NPEA.
"I love horses and the Old West," he said. "Hopefully I can continue (this) for years to come."
Other Rendezvous activities include: outdoor cooking at the Dutch Oven Cook-off, camel rides, stagecoach rides and 1800's games. Purveyors of fine comestibles will serve up grub for the gatherings. Dozens of booths featuring handmade crafts will be open for modern trading.
The fun begins Friday at noon when encampments open. At 5:30 p.m., Bruno's Boxing Club presents "A Boxing Invitational" at the Pony Express Pavilion to commemorate the historic 1897 Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight in Carson City. Also on Friday, the Back Forty Band will perform a free show from 7-9 p.m.
On Saturday, opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m. with encampments opening at 11. The evening's entertainment is a concert with David John and the Comstock Cowboys at 7.
Sunday starts with Cowboy Church at 10 a.m. and the booths and demonstrations will open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Chorus on The Comstock will portray men waiting for a haircut and shave. While waiting they joined in song and this later become known as the barber shop quartet.
Most events are free to the public. For a complete events schedule and information, visit www.carsoncityrendezvous.com.
• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
If you go
WHAT: 24th annual Carson City Rendezvous
WHEN: Friday, noon-9:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
WHERE: Mills Park
COST: Most activities are free
VISIT: www.visitcarsoncityrendezvous.com
CALL: 687-7410