Empire Mine State Historic Park hosts annual picnic celebration Saturday

Empire Mine State Historic Park (10791 East Empire Street, Grass Valley) will host its annual picnic celebration Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring live mining-era music and historical demonstrations. The event includes performances by the Nevada County Tommyknocker Cloggers, Buffalo Crossing, Highwater and the Kin, Cast Iron Shoes and Twisted Licorice on clarinets. Visitors can participate in vintage children's games, try hard rock mining activities and watch volunteers demonstrate blacksmithing and mining equipment operation. The grounds will feature classic Model A automobiles and tours of historic buildings and gardens. Orlo Steele, the last living miner who worked the Empire Mine, will share mining memories and answer questions at the mine shaft. A Mine Disaster Rescue melodrama at noon will feature the Grass Valley Fire Department's vintage fire truck responding to treat "injured miners." Doors open at 10 a.m. with activities beginning an hour later. Visitors may bring picnic lunches or purchase food, including ice cream, pasties and hot dogs. Admission is $5 per person, with children 5 and under admitted free. Fourth-graders and their families receive free entry with the California State Parks Adventure Pass. The event is organized with the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation, which supports educational programs for Western Nevada County's three state parks. For more information, visit facebook.com/EmpireMineSHP/ Discovering family-friendly destinations and adventures beyond our backyard. Got story ideas, questions or comments? Email Jessica at jessicah@goldcountrymedia.com.