The festivities brought out many community members who enjoyed a wide range of activities. For youngsters, there were pony rides by Rockin’ Maddy Ranch, as well as balloon animals by Kathleen Lee and a magic show by Siskiyou County’s Delbert Lee.

Downtown Yreka buzzed with activity Saturday as Gold Rush Days brought a bit of the Old West back to town. The event included the Old West Reenactment Club Shooters.

In the center of Miner Street next to the historic Franco American Hotel was an outdoor recreation of an old west saloon. A group of spectators watched events unfold, many covering their ears in anticipation for what they knew would soon take place. A group of re-enactors mingled about, played cards, or had a drink. An ill tempered, quick triggered character named Butch Brass was none too pleased with the beers served to him by the bartender and he became more and more agitated. Words were exchanged, guns were drawn, and the loud sound of gunfire rang through the air as smoke came out of the barrels of the guns fired.

Roger Esplin, (also known as Butch Brass) explained that the gunfights are carefully choreographed and that they have safety protocols in place. This includes making sure participants fire the weapons from a certain distance and angle them in a way that looks like they are shooting at each other but are, in fact, not aiming directly at the other person. Esplin has taken part in these reenactments in Yreka for seven years.

“It's fun and exciting to be able to do this here each year,” he said.

He said that he and the other reenactors enjoy presenting audiences a bit of history done in a fun, mainly comically broad fashion, and hopes at the same time it sparks in folks interest in learning about and preserving history.

Gary Hanson, who portrayed the bartender, said that reenactments like this are a way to have the younger generation stop texting for a minute and learn a bit about the history of the area and the old west and to educate and help preserve this history.

Ten year old Jaela Linderman of Yreka enjoyed watching the reenactment with her sister, 5 year old Mia.

“It was loud but I liked it,” Jaela said. “It was cool. I liked the very beautiful clothing they wore.”

The festivities brought out many community members who enjoyed a wide range of activities. For youngsters, there were pony rides by Rockin’ Maddy Ranch, as well as balloon animals by Kathleen Lee and a magic show by Siskiyou County’s Delbert Lee.

Live music was performed throughout the day, while folks with a hankering for a bite to eat could purchase items such as tri tip sandwiches, tacos, and hot dogs, as well as burgers and smoothies dished out by the Yreka Elks Club. Many folks enjoyed looking over the vendor tables full of a variety of items, from jams, bird houses with the logos of professional sports teams like the Golden State Warriors and Oakland Raiders, to handmade jewelry.

There was also a beer garden featuring the Etna Brewing Company for those who wished to purchase an adult beverage.