TONOPAH - Back in 1900, a prospector named Jim Butler struck silver while searching for his lost burro in the area that soon became Tonopah, Nev.
Decades ago, miners and townspeople decided to honor the town's heritage with an annual celebration, Jim Butler Days, featuring all manner of old-fashioned fun, including a parade, friendly competitions, and feats of strength. Back then, arm-wresting championships and mucking and drilling challenges were all the rage.
Well, some things haven't changed much. This year, the 43rd annual Jim Butler Days celebration features something for everyone, from a pancake breakfast to a parade, from barbecue to beer pong.
But ask around, "What's the talk of the town?" and the first thing locals say is that they can't wait to see those old-time mining challenges.
Bob Perchetti, event chairman, and owner of the Clown Motel, has been attending the festival since he was a boy. "This is my 43rd year working on the celebration," he says. "Both my father and my grandfathers were underground miners. From day one, I loved the moving events."
When Bob says "moving events," he means: Who can move a ton of rock and ore off of a slick sheet into an ore car with their bare hands and a shovel the fastest?
"People come from out of state for the mucking and drilling championships," adds Heather Ingalls, manager of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, which is open to visitors during the event.
Highlights also include live music, gold-panning, a chance to test your strength against Town Manager James Eason, who also happens to be Tonopah's reigning arm-wrestling champion, in the Nevada Pro-Am Arm Wrestling Championship Sunday. Check the event schedule for the wine tasting at the historic Mizpah Hotel, craft bazaar, cancer benefit walk and over 20 more events.
What makes Tonopah such a great place for a festival? Just ask Bob: "Tonopah's always been the hub, the center of Nevada," he says. "Tonopah's a place where we've always had good people. Must be something the air, something in the water."
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