by Vinny Knowles

Created on: February 24, 2009

Are you looking for some great "Yee Haw" family activities for the family this summer? Check out the Carson City Rendezvous in Carson City, Nevada. Educate your family about the history and customs of the old west in a manner they will never forget.

The festival takes place in May or June (you can check www.carsoncityrendezvous.com for this year's schedule) in Carson City at Mills Park which is located on Highway 50. Most of the events are free of charge which is great for families!

There are events that will interest family members of all ages. Hang out in the Mountain Man Encampment and hear some story telling and songs about the old west. Enjoy the liar's contest and participate in some tomahawk or knife throwing competitions (Arr, Arr, Arr, now that is a man thing!). You little boy scout can try his hand at starting a fire with flint and steel.

Watch a live gun fight. You can also get a feel of what the mail system was like using pony express. They have a live demonstration where mail bags are passed while the horses are running full gallop.

Let your younger children participate in a stick horse rodeo in the kiddy coral. Don't forget to take a camera along because this will be an event you will long remember.

You can visit a Native American village and witness some traditional Native American dances. Who knows you might want to try one yourself! You will see Native Crafts on display like rugs, baskets, and pottery.

You will want to make sure you bring spending money because there is "trader's row" where you can buy items from the old west period such as clothes, beads, hats, powder horns and so on. Your little ones will relive the event for years with the dress up articles you can buy to take home with you.

Did you know that camels were used for a few years to transport silver ore across the dessert? That was a new fact to me! You'll learn that they were actually more adept for the labor, but the cowboys could not tolerate the swaying. They got sea sick! Maybe that is why they are called the "ships of the dessert"! You can experience a camel ride for yourself at this festival and see how you tolerate this mode of transport.

There are also civil war skirmishes being enacted as a part of the living history festival. The Carson City Rendezvous is certainly a spot that you will want to include in your future vacation plans. It is sure to be a family time you will never forget. "Giddy up, let's go".

Sources:
www.travellady.com
www.carsoncityrendezvo us.com
www.cowboy.com
www.familyfun.go.com

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