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The Miss Clementine Pageant is one of Old Miners Days oldest and most cherished events with roots dating back to the 1950s. It is a colorful celebration of the “Good Ol’ Days with petticoats, parasols, and lace as all ages of women and girls showoff their authentic period outfits and customs. Participants are judged on their authenticity in dress, which often includes antique mementos, family heirlooms, and a wide variety of delicate history. With the addition of numerous vendors, Old West gun spinning shows, shootouts, and live music, this year's pageant is sure to provide a memorable day of "Old Time" entertainment. If you are interested in participating as a contestant, contact Sarah Vasquez. All participants must check in at 10:00am at the Bartlett parking lot.
Clementine Categories
Clementine Rules
Clementine Entry Form

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By popular demand, Wyatt Earp has again consented to entertain us with his fascinating tales from the Old West. Attendees at prior Chautauqua programs may recall Wyatt Earp, yes his real name, the grand nephew of the original famous Wyatt Earp from Tombstone Arizona and his OK Corral experiences. He originally reenacted that role and the following year the role of the almost equally famous Doc Holiday.

This year the audience gets to experience The Story Hollywood Never Told, the title of the show. An older Wyatt Earp will be reminiscing about the earlier days in Tombstone. He will recall his wife, Sadie, telling him: "Wyatt! A person is safer going up against you in a gun fight than on the dance floor", to which he replied: "Well, Sadie, next time I'm up against some desperado in a gun fight, I'll just ask him to dance."

In January of this year, Wyatt Earp received the prestigious "Spirit of the Old West Alive Award #3" for his performance of The Story Hollywood Never Told. He has also recently performed in Paris, France and, prior to that as the historic Wyatt all over the Southwest, Alaska as well as England, Scotland, Ireland and Hungary. The plays are all written by Wyatt's playwright wife, Terry Earp.
The Big Bear Audience can now look forward to this same performance. The free event, celebrating the spirit of the Old Miners Celebration, will be on July 25 at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Big Bear Valley Library, it will be performed at the Summit Christian Fellowship Church across the street from the Library, with a reception following at the Library, 41930 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, tel. 909 866-5571.

Folks come from all over Southern California to Big Bear to participate in this contest, which draws anywhere from 70 to 90 contestants. It is a double elimination tournament and all participants get a t-shirt with their registration. If you are good at this sport be prepared to pitch horseshoes into the night as this contest has been known to extend into evening. The winner gets a trophy and sometimes a big head! But this adult event is very fun and usually a riot of laughs. All levels of experience welcome and signups take place the day of the event, or you can print a sign-up form here.

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This is Big Bear's most spectacular event of the year! The Old Miners Days Parade begins at Summit Blvd and travels west along Big Bear Blvd., up Pine Knot Avenue, west on Village Drive, and ends at the Elks Lodge at Bonanza Trail. This colorful parade is filled with floats created by local organizations, businesses, and non-profits, drill teams, equestrian units, antique cars, and lots of marching bands. Trophies are awarded in many categories for best float design and best representation of theme. Come to this family event and set up the whole family along Big Bear Blvd. for this annual celebration that won't disappoint! Bring the kids, coolers, umbrellas, and chairs on August 2nd to watch this year's spectacular Old Miners Days Parade. Remember to plan ahead and setup early because Big Bear Blvd. closes to traffic from China Gardens to Paine Road starting at 11:00am, and will re-open at 3:00pm. Detours are available, but expect delays.

Parade Entry Application

And Finally . . . The Old Miners "Taste of Big Bear" Food Fair at the Bartlett Parking lot, directly following the parade, with live music, local restaurants offering samples of their specialties ($6 fee), and a Big Thank You to all the people who made the 2009, 60th Anniversary Old Miners Days Events happen!

Award presentations will be held for the "Thunder in Paradise" competition, and the drawing will be held for the 2009, 60th Anniversary commerative gunbelt and pistol set.

For more information on Old Miners Events, contact the individual event directors, or call 909. 866.4607.