Dangberg kicks off August with ‘Calamity Jane’

August events open with a Chautauqua of Calamity Jane and a presentation on “Tales Along El Camino Sierra” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Chautauquan Kim Harris will present "Calamity Jane: Heroine of the Plains" 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

“Perhaps no woman embodies the spirit of the Western expansion more than Martha Jane Canary better known as "’Calamity Jane,’” Harris said. “She challenged society's standards of behavior for women, and at the same time was admired for her generosity, honesty and lack of pretentiousness.”

Harris has portrayed living history characters at various venues including Genoa Cowboy Festival, Pipers Opera House, the Gold Hill Hotel, Dangberg Historic Park and The Lake Tahoe Chautauqua Festival.

She currently serves as the park's events manager and is the owner and operator of Western History ALIVE! where she portrays several Chautauqua characters including stagecoach driver Charley Parkhurst, Libbie Custer who was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer and Lizzie Borden. Admission is $10 for adults, and free to Friends of Dangberg members and youth 16 and under.

Author David Woodruff will give a presentation on his book series “Tales Along El Camino Sierra,” 10 a.m. Aug. 7.

“Iconic Highway 395, originally known as El Camino Sierra, is a magical ribbon of blacktop that has been taking people on a sentimental journey for over 100 years,” Woodruff said.

Bring your own seating and no pets allowed - service animals only. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy as no food or beverages will be sold at these events. All events are held outdoors.

"We are extremely pleased with how our 2021 Summer Festival has been attended. We appreciate the support of our presenters, and their enthusiasm for their topics is what draws the attendees to our events," said Kim Harris, the park's events manager.

This event is sponsored by Douglas County, Carson Valley Accounting, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dr. James the Dentist, Edward Jones Investments - Tim Cleveland, Horse Tales, D&B Cabinets, Holiday Inn Express - Minden, Hone Company, Jacobs Family Berry Farm, Mangia Tutto, The Pink House, and Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation. Additional support for the park is provided by Robert E. Schilling Charitable Fund and TruNorth Wealth Management.