Colfax will take a step back into history with this weekend’s Railroad Days celebration.

Organizers have planned a two-day festival that will pay tribute to the city’s historic roots. Living history displays, horse-drawn wagon rides, an outdoor quilt show, music and dancing, free railroad films and classic children’s activities as well as a model railroad train display are planned.

Visitors are encouraged to make their first stop one of the two information booths – one behind the gazebo in Roy Toms Plaza and the other at the Chamber of Commerce office in the historic railroad depot.

“At these booths, visitors can pick up a ‘golden ticket’ to play the game of visiting our business vendors on Saturday,” said Connie Heilaman, co-chair of this year’s festivities. “The $1 ticket includes a chance to win prize. The drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. You do not need to be present to win.”

The business fair, showcasing local businesses will be set up in the Roy Toms Plaza parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An antique and art faire will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday in the same location.

Gold panning lessons for youth will be available both days next to the historic passenger depot. Cost is $2 per child.

Sierra Vista Center

Members of the Toy Train Operating Society, Sacramento Valley Division, will set up the club’s model railroad layout at Sierra Vista Community Center on Saturday and Sunday.

Children of all ages will be able to watch the collection of S, O and standard (pre-war) gauge model trains as they wind through the layout built by members.

Outdoor games, including Pinewood Derby and Gutter sailboat races, will be set up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Classic games, including tomahawk throwing and a rail spike driving contest, will be played at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

All ages are invited to dress in period costumes for the “stroll around town” starting at 1:20 p.m. each day in the Conestoga Room.

Scarecrow contest

Residents are invited to enter a traditional or unique scarecrow for the Chamber of Commerce’s contest on Saturday.

Scarecrows will be displayed at various locations along Main and Grass Valley Streets. All figures must be able to stand or sit on their own props.

Entries can be delivered to the Lot of Arts on Main Street between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Local officials will award cash prizes to the winners. Judging will be based on originality, creativity and presentation.

Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. There is no entry fee to participate.

For more information on the scarecrow contest, call 906-3791.

Music

Old time, traditional and bluegrass music unique to America will be presented throughout the festival.

The Ghost Pine Ramblers, formed by Colfax residents J.D. and Jenny Gardemeyer and Kory Rosander of Sacramento, will be performing at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Library Park.

A precision dance team, the Thunderfoot Cloggers, will demonstrate clogging, a uniquely American style of dance at 10:30 a.m. and noon at the Lot of Art Park on Main Street.

The Ragtime dancers will perform Sunday at 12:20 and 2 p.m. in the Lot of Art Park.

Also scheduled to perform are the Begin Family of Weimar, Colfax’s popular Lyrical Locos, acoustic guitarist Tim Ackerman and vocalist Mary Walker.

Disc jockey Lucas Rosen will be playing tunes during the Business Fair on Saturday in the Roy Toms Plaza parking lot.

Throughout town

An outdoor quilt show, featuring traditional and modern quilts made by residents, will be set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Free railroad films will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Colfax Theater.

Rides in horse-drawn wagon pulled by draft horses will be offered Saturday and Sunday by the Empire Horse and Carriage Company