Plan to Attend Rock Creek Trail Days June 7-8

[Bumpus]

NGPC news release, 5/19/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Western history buffs are urged to circle June 7 and 8 on their calendars to remind them to attend Rock Creek Trail Days at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (SHP).

The famous incident in which James Butler Hickok killed David McCanles and began his bloody career as a gunfighter will be re-enacted at the site of the original shooting on the East Ranch at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on June 7, and 11a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 8.

There will be mounted cowboy action shooting demonstrations on the East Ranch at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on both days.

There will be a number of historic interpretations on the East and West ranches. Among them will be black powder gun demonstrations, living history of the early trail period, brain tanning leather, Dutch oven cooking, blacksmithing, frontier survival skills, Pony Express runs, frontier cabin life, knitting and tatting demonstrations, stagecoach rides and a variety of other demonstrations and entertainment.

A program by Joan Wells, a trick roper, will be presented on the West Ranch at 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening, followed by the popular buffalo stew cookout at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $9, childrens tickets (for those 13 years and younger) are $6. Tickets will be available until noon on June 7 at the park visitor center (402) 729-5777 or the Fairbury Chamber of Commerce (402) 729-3000.

The Rock Creek Station SHP is located at 57426 710 Road, Fairbury. The visitor center will be open daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. A park entry permit is required of all vehicles entering the park.