Historic mining, mucking and rock-drilling contests will be featured at the first Comstock Muckfest, a celebration of Nevada’s sesquicentennial anniversary, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Virginia City.
Visitors also can tour local museums and learn about the role mining had on Nevada becoming a state.
The Virginia City Trolley will operate through town. The Gold Hill Depot will offer Comstock Modern Mine Tour, and the Marshall Mint Museum will hold a live minting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dry panning and panning for gems will be available throughout the day.
The cost is free. Admittance to team handrail race competitions or the mucking contests costs $10 per person. Both take place throughout the day, and winners will be awarded a trophy.
Coinciding with Muckfest is the Virginia City Wine Tour Series, taking place on the first Saturday of the month, and the Geocaching Kick-off Rally, which will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Gold Hill Depot.
The wine tour will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $20. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the Visitors Center in Virginia City, located at 86 S. C St.
Muckfest is sponsored by the Virginia City Tourism Commission, Historic Fourth Ward School & Museum and the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture. For more information and a schedule, call 1-800-718-7587, or go to www.visitvirginiacitynv.com.