Heritage Festival kicks off Friday in Yermo

Families looking to have some fun while avoiding crowded malls on Black Friday may want to head to Calico Ghost Town's Heritage Festival.

"It's a time for folks to gather on the weekend of Thanksgiving and come to Calico to see some of the trades and shows of the West," said Jamie Murphy, events special coordinator. "It's basically a celebration of Western heritage."

The festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

The restored mining town in Yermo will host country singer Tony Vice and the Billhillies Band.

There will also be Native Indian dancing, adobe brick-making and a medicine-man show.
A number of activities are planned for children, Murphy said. There will be adobe brick making, quilting, wool spinning and black smithing demonstrations. A rope maker will be on hand to teach children how to make ropes just as early California settlers did.
During the festival, there will be old-fashioned games for children to play -- hoop and stick, cat's cradle, ring fling and pick up sticks.

Admission is $5 per person or $10 per carload of six people. Tickets include admission to Maggie's Mine, the Mystery Shack and panning for gold.

For more information, go online to www.calicotown.com.