Waterfront Days in Old Sacramento

Get ready for some fun this Memorial Day Weekend at the Old Sacramento Waterfront during the FREE Waterfront Days heritage event on May 24-26, 2019.  With a wide variety of activations taking place throughout the historic district, the inaugural celebration blends crowd-favorite offerings with exciting new entertainment options for all ages to experience and enjoy.

“May has already been a remarkable month for commemorating the history of Sacramento and the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on the Old Sacramento Waterfront,” said Brooksie Hughes, Old Sacramento District Director. “We felt this was a perfect time to extend the series of heritage events by creating a new experience that will continue to grow and expand in the years to come.”

Daytime guests to the Old Sacramento Waterfront will be entertained by talented period musicians roaming about (expert juggler, trick roper and others), a Shakespearian Comedic Play at Waterfront Park with multiple performances each day, the Gold Rush Fire Brigade brass band and other Old West theatrics, always-popular historic re-enactments, horse-drawn carriages, plus key elements of Tent City set up on the 1849 Scene that depict daily life during the Gold Rush with gold panning, blacksmith and cannon fire demonstrations, hands-on children’s arts and crafts, and much more. Also, eye-catching rail equipment such as the J.W. Bowker and Union Pacific Caboose from the California State Railroad Museum’s collection will be on free public display for the extended holiday weekend.

Then, as the sun goes down, the action moves to the Embarcadero for the Waterfront Days Country Dance & Beer Garden Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. The FREE outdoor musical entertainment will feature country artist Brad Johnson & The Killin’ Time Band on Saturday and The Rob Staley Band on Sunday.

While additional activities may be added later, below is a Waterfront Days schedule that highlights key activities:

Friday, May 24 – Education Day

• • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  Various activities for local school groups

1 p.m.: “Quest for the Gold Spike” melodrama at the Eagle Theatre

Saturday, May 25

• • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Outdoor heritage festivities
  • 1 & 3 p.m.: “Quest for the Gold Spike” melodrama at the Eagle Theatre*

6 to 10 p.m.: Brad Johnson & The Killin’ Time Band (Embarcadero)

Sunday, May 26

• • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Outdoor heritage festivities
  • 1 & 3 p.m.: “Quest for the Gold Spike” melodrama at the Eagle Theatre*

6 to 10 p.m.: The Rob Staley Band (Embarcadero)