YERMO, CA — Calico Ghost Town is throwing a milestone celebration this September, and the Old West is coming alive.
Calico Days returns September 26–27, 2026, and this year’s event carries extra significance: it marks 60 years since Walter Knott donated the historic mining town to San Bernardino County . The two-day festival runs from 9 AM to 5 PM at 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA 92398 .
“Six decades of dusty streets, old mines, train rides, memories, and generations of visitors coming out to experience a little piece of the Old West,” organizers wrote in a social media announcement. “There’s a whole lot of history in these hills, and we’re pretty lucky to still be making new memories here.”
A Town Born of Silver
Calico’s story began in 1881 when prospectors discovered silver in the surrounding mountains, staking the Silver King Mine and giving birth to the town . At its peak, an estimated 3,500 people called Calico home — a diverse mix of Americans, Chinese, English, Irish, Greek, French, and Dutch nationals . The mines produced an estimated $86 million worth of silver** and **$45 million in borax over three decades .
But when the Silver Purchase Act drove down prices in the 1890s, the boom went bust. The post office closed in 1898, and by 1907, with borax mining also ending, Calico was completely abandoned .
Walter Knott’s Vision
Walter Knott — the farmer behind Knott’s Berry Farm — had a personal connection to Calico. As a young man, he worked as a carpenter there, and his uncle John King was a founding partner of the Silver King Mine . In 1951, Knott purchased the entire town from the Zenda Mining Company and spent years meticulously restoring it using old photographs .
In 1966, Knott donated Calico to San Bernardino County, ensuring its preservation as a Regional Park . This year’s Calico Days celebrates that gift and the six decades of history that followed.
What to Expect
The weekend is packed with old-fashioned contests and entertainment:
- Miners Triathlon – a test of frontier endurance
- Bucket Brigade – relay-style water-carrying contest
- Burro Run – a crowd favorite
- Costume Contest – dress in your best Old West attire
- Silver Coin Guessing Contest – test your luck
- Egg Toss Contest – don’t drop it
- Frying Pan Contest – show your skillet skills
- Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
- Beard & Mustache Contest – start growing now
- Sing for a Pie Competition
- Pie Eating Contest
- Lil’ Buckaroos Burro Run – for the little ones
- Making Slime – a modern twist
- Gunfighter Shows – the Calico Mountain Volunteer Gunfighters in action
- Quick Draw Competition
- Classroom Sessions – lessons from the 1800s
- Victorian Muse Theatre – live performances
- Pico Pistolero’s Snake Pit of Scoundrels
- Maggie Mine – explore an authentic silver mine
- Calico & Odessa Railroad – scenic train ride
- Mystery Shack – optical illusions and puzzles
- Gold Panning – try your luck like the miners
A Shared September with Daggett Days
Organizers noted the connection between Calico and its neighboring community: “The History of Silver Valley is coming alive as we celebrate Daggett Days (Sep 12th & 13th) and Calico Days (Sep 26th & 27th). These might be separate events, but these two shared a story unsurpassed, tied at the hip.”
If You Go
What: Calico Days – 60th Anniversary Celebration
When: September 26–27, 2026 — 9 AM to 5 PM both days
Where: Calico Ghost Town Regional Park — 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA 92398
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 4–11, free for children 3 and under
Parking: Available on-site
Camping: Reservations available through San Bernardino County Regional Parks