For a few days this past weekend, Downieville had a brief opportunity to experience the California Gold Rush like it was in 1849. Downieville Gold Rush Days returned to Downieville after a ten-year hiatus on Thursday, August 8th, and wrapped up on Sunday, the 13th. The four-day event drew over 1,000 people and dozens of gold mining and prospecting equipment vendors that provided demonstrations. Taking over the Downieville School gym, the events included professional seminars on prospecting and mining techniques by real-life pros and geologists.

People of all ages, from professionals to weekend gold panners, came in from near and far to pan the legendary Downie and North Yuba rivers as the organizers were granted special access from Comstock Gold Prospectors, who own the claims, to strike it rich in Downieville. All weekend hundreds of folks lined the Downie River in town from Hansen Bridge to the forks and on the North Yuba to just above the town. There were historical tours and even an old-fashioned gunfight on Main Street. By 4 pm on Sunday, all the restaurants in town were out of food.

Nearly a year in planning, the event was organized by Josh Reinke, the owner and editor of the International California Mining Journal (ICMJ). Founded in 1931, the ICMJ Prospecting and Mining Journal is available in print and digital format and distributed monthly to paid subscribers, newsstands, and various trade shows, with over 30,000 monthly readers and approximately 31,000 monthly website visitors. They have subscribers in every state and 21 countries. The journal gives miners a voice, a marketplace for goods and services, and articles to help teach them something new.

A resident of Grass Valley, Josh started his company Reinke Mining Adventures & Services in 2008, which provides access to over 30 gold claims throughout California with monthly outings and consultations. From a long line of gold miners and loggers, Josh’s great great grandfather moved from Oregon to Grass Valley in the 1880s. Josh and his wife Sherrie took over ownership of the ICMJ in 2021 with the goal of one day making Downieville the home of the ICMJ, and this year’s event was the first step in that direction.

Beyond being well attended and injecting cash into our local businesses, the community of Downieville got a real boost from the Downieville Gold Rush Days. The ICMJ donated $3500 to Downieville Schools for facilities and $1300 to distribute amongst the Downieville Museum and other non-profit organizations in the community. Downieville Gold Rush Days will return next year with bigger and better plans.