28 years ago, Jerry Harmon, Jim Wilcox, and friends, were looking for a way to help educate the public about two major industries in the Juneau community. Together they came up with the concept for Gold Rush Days – a two-day celebration to pay homage to the mining and logging industries, two industries that helped shape the city of Juneau.
Gold Rush Days is an action-packed celebration consisting of local fair foods, activities for the children, and meet-and-greets with local politicians. The celebration’s main attraction is the ongoing competition for the coveted All-Around Resource award. Contestants compete in mining specific events such as, jackleg drilling, and also logging events, such as pole climbing.
Mining education is an important aspect of Kensington’s relationship with the Juneau community. Kensington is a large supporter of the Juneau Gold Rush Days in many ways. The operation provides equipment, manpower, and monetary donations to the event each year. This connection allowed me the opportunity to not only attend but also participate.
This Chicago girl decided to put her skills to the test and compete in this year’s mining and logging events. Needless to say, I did not win Best Female Miner or Babe of the Woods, BUT I had a blast and came away with the following five take-aways.
If you happen to find yourself in Juneau while Gold Rush Days is occurring, you must make it a point to drop by and experience this wonderful event. Who knows, you may just win third in axe throwing.
![]() Kensington employees and the Gold Rush Days Committee pose with the poster from the very first Gold Rush Days. |
![]() Jerry Harmon, one of the founders of Gold Rush Days, and I posing for a quick picture in between events. |
![]() Kensington employee, Eddie Petrie, faces off against a fellow competitor in the log rolling competition. |
![]() Kensington employee, David “Sully” Sullivan, keeping close eye on the jackleg during the jackleg competition. |
![]() Spectators cheer on contestants during the pole climbing competition. |
![]() Kensington employee, Dominic Hoy, competes in the Men’s Team Hand Bucking event. |
![]() Jeremy Whitmore, a Kensington employee, cheers on his fellow contestants. |
![]() Gold Rush Days comes to a close with the final event, Loggers vs. Miners tug o’ war. |
![]() The hardest event I participated in – the dreaded Horizontal Chopping. |