8-9 Founder's Day

The 6th annual Bridgeport Founder's Day Celebration, which honors the pioneer spirit of the early settlers of the Eastern Sierra is Sept. 1 and is sponsored by the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, the Mono County Historical Society and the Mono County Tourism & Film Commission.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. with team branding at the Centennial Livestock rodeo arena on the west side of town and free hay rides at the Bridgeport Ranch Barns & Terrace next to the rodeo arena, courtesy of Ted Holloway of Smith Valley.

Various activities, demonstrations and booth sales are offered on the courthouse lawn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Live music is by the Swauger Creek Bluegrass Band.

The Delta Gold Diggers from the Stockton Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America will demonstrate gold panning techniques and will allow visitors to try their luck.

Tony Baratti, NPFA President and 3-time Word Champion Mule Shoer from Dayton, will exhibit his farrier skills. A fly fishing demonstration will be presented in the afternoon.

Booths will include Paiute basket weaving and arts and crafts, cowboy leathercraft, photography, luggage and cutlery.

Visitors wishing to dress up in clothes from another era can have their photos taken by Revelations of Carson City.

Historical information and sales will be available from the Friends of Bodie and the Mono County Historical Society.

Historic walking tours will be offered and a historical talk in costume about Eleanor Dumont, AKA Madame Mustache, will be presented at the Bridgeport Library by Bodie State Park Interpreter, Terri Geissinger.

The Memorial Hall will present the annual quilt exhibit. Artists Alan Lugena and Patricia Babbitt will display their watercolor paintings of local scenes.

Indian tacos will be available outside the hall, prepared by members of the Bridgeport Indian Colony.

The Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department will host an open house at noon and the Bridgeport Gun Club will have a blackpowder shoot at their open range.

Memorial Hall will be the site of a melodrama presented by the Bridgeport Theatre players at 4 p.m. The Bridgeport Gun Club will serve a spaghetti dinner plus trimmings between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a dessert auction and a historical program narrated by Terri Geissinger, Bodie State Park Interpreter.

More information at Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, bridgeportcalifornia.com or (760) 932-7500.