MARK WAITE / PVT The Death Valley '49ers left Pahrump Monday, headed for a stopover in Shoshone for the Old West Days celebration there this weekend before the group hits the trail again to finish the trip at the 60th encampment held at Furnace Creek in Death Valley every year. The encampment activities will span five days, Nov. 4-8. Advertisement

The Death Valley 49ers left Pahrump Monday and, after spending this weekend as part of the Shoshone Old West Days celebration, will make their way to Furnace Creek, Calif., for festivities next weekend during the 60th Death Valley '49ers Encampment Nov. 4 through 8.

The all-volunteer organization, with support from the National Park Service and Xanterra Inc., has spent many hours pulling the annual event together.

Some of the activities during the five-day encampment include vendors, several art shows, mineral exhibits and demonstrations, lots of different musical talent, a Model-T Ford display, ranger talks, four-wheel-drive tours, a horseshoe tournament and of course, the annual golf tournament.

The festivities start Monday and really kick into gear starting Wednesday with films, a pampered pet parade and a "songs of the west" show.

Thursday is the start of the invitational art show, the pioneer costume contest, an artists' quick-drawing and auction and the "Coyote Howl," another cornucopia of western music.

Friday will celebrate the arrival of the wagon train with a "Hootenanny Breakfast," an anniversary program, a western musical and another evening at the fiddler's stage.

There will be a parade, a prospector's wheelbarrow race, a pick and fiddle contest and another musical performance.

Many of the participation events this year require membership in the organization. Volunteers will have a sign-up booth set up in Shoshone this weekend and several booths at Furnace Creek. Membership not only supports the encampment, established to preserve pioneer life and educate the public, but it supports other educational programs and the generous scholarship awarded to an area graduating student each year.

There won't be time to get bored with all the festivities planned. According to Marvin Jensen, spokesman for the Death Valley '49ers, the highlights listed above barely scratch the surface. To see a complete list of activities and times, go to www.deathvalley49ers.org.