GOLD BAR — A former mayor here is putting a new spin on the town’s old-timey festival.
Gold Dust Days, a celebration of Sky Valley history and the area’s mining heritage, kicks off Friday and continues through the weekend.
Former Mayor Joe Beavers is renewing vows to his wife, Anne, after 50 years of marriage in full-period costume at a Civil War encampment set up for festival.
Re-enactors from the Washington Civil War Association will create a representation of the 1861 Navy gunboat, the USS Tahoma, in U.S. 2 Park.
The ship’s Captain Ernie Sherrill will perform the vow renewal ceremony, complete with cannons firing, an honor guard, a hand-tinted Civil War-era marriage certificate and soldiers crossing swords for the couple to walk under as they exit.
The Gold Bar City Council passed a resolution that allows the re-enactors to use U.S. 2 Park as “international waters,” Beavers said. It permits the firing of cannons and muskets in the park during the festival. The captain also has the authority to renew the couple’s vows.
“It’s just part of the fun. If we’re going to have a gunboat with a captain, it needs to be in international waters,” said Joe Beavers, 72, who served as the town’s mayor from 2009 to 2013.
He met Anne, 71, at John B. Hood Junior High School in Dallas, which was named for a Confederate general.
The couple moved to Gold Bar in 2005 after they retired. Joe Beavers said they’ve managed to stay together for more than 50 years because they both have “poor memories.”
“When we have a fight or a spat, after a while, we can’t remember what we’re mad about,” he said. “That’s worked well for us.”
Another Sky Valley couple, Dave and Christina Sivewright, will be the grand marshals for the Gold Dust Days parade, which is which is scheduled to roll down Lewis Avenue at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Dave Sivewright is the Army Sgt. 1st Class who can often be seen running along U.S. 2 in uniform carrying a large American flag. His wife, Christina, is known for her patriotic project, raising money to line Sultan’s Main Street with stars and stripes.
Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Copple said she expects at least 6,000 visitors during Gold Dust Days. There’s old-fashioned activities, such as panning for gold, gunny sack races and hay wagon rides.
The festival opens at 4 p.m. Friday with a street fair. Kids can decorate their bicycles to ride in the bicycle parade led by Mayor Linda Loen at 6 p.m. Friday.
After the grand parade Saturday, there’s activities scheduled throughout the day, including pony rides, the Civil War re-enactment, drag races the Gold Dust Days royalty performances, a water ball contest, live music and a car show. All-terrain vehicles will be allowed on Gold Bar streets on Saturday.
This year’s car show is in honor of Dennis Blansett, who established the Gold Dust Days contest. He died in March.
The show boasts a new “young gun” category that allows those 21 or younger to enter any car they’re working on this year.
“They’re encouraging young people to bring out their project cars,” Copple said. “It doesn’t have to be a show car.”
Proceeds from the show will benefit a scholarship set up to honor Blansett, a longtime teacher.
Gold Dust Days continues until 3 p.m. Sunday with the street fair, activities and the renewal of vows ceremony at the Civil War encampment.
For a complete event schedule, go to the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce website.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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