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Tombstone Helldorado Days 2023

Tombstone Helldorado Days 2023 will be back again. Visit Tombstone, Arizona, during Helldorado Days for the most real-life wild west celebration!

There are gunfight reenactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows, and other entertainment at Helldorado every third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.

Tombstone Helldorado Days 2023

Ed Schieffelin founded Tombstone in 1877 while he was part of a scouting expedition against the Chiricahua Apaches, staying at what was then called Camp Huachuca. Despite warnings from the soldiers in the camp, Ed set out into the wilderness, “looking for rocks.” As it turned out, he found his desired stone near Goose Flats, which was silver! Reminiscing on the warnings given to him, Ed used his sly sense of humor to name his first mine, ‘The Tombstone.’

As soon as word spread of Ed Schieffelin’s silver strike in southern Arizona, prospectors, cowboys, homesteaders, lawyers, speculators, gunmen, soiled doves, and business people flocked in. In 1879, a town was established on the closest level spot to the mines, known then as Goose Flats, and was named “Tombstone” after Ed Schieffelin’s first mining claim.

The Second Amendment City of Tombstone will celebrate the 94th anniversary of Helldorado Days in October of 2023. Most of us know Tombstone, Arizona, as that classic western town where the “Shootout at the OK Corral” occurred. We consider it home to western legends such as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. The town’s early days saw a great deal of conflict that sometimes ended in violence, giving it a reputation for gunfights and as a picture of “The Wild West.”

Tombstone Helldorado Days 2019 The Second Amendment City (2)

The Helldorado Days is a festival that first took place in 1929 and occurred annually in October. The original festival in 1929 was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Tombstone. The original and this year’s event feature musical groups, dancing, historical reenactments, food, a parade, and many other entertainments.

Vigilantes dedicated to keeping the historical town of Tombstone alive

Ladies  in Period Costume – Tombstone Helldorado Days 2023

This year, the 90th anniversary of the festival takes place on October 18, 19, and 20th. The festival focuses on celebrating Tombstone’s western heritage. Of course, guns were and are an essential part of the festival, and this year visitors are welcome to participate in the raffling off of a magnificent Henry firearm. Henry Repeating Arms is one of the top-five long gun manufacturers in the USA, and they guarantee their owners will be 100% satisfied with their product.

Rifles

Henry Firearms

The town and its legends, including the “Shootout at the OK Corral,” have been featured extensively in the media, perhaps most notably in the 1993 western film titled Tombstone. The film stars Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday, along with an impressive cast of actors in supporting roles.

The movie follows Wyatt Earp and his two brothers as they attempt to start a peaceful town life but are drawn into a conflict with an outlaw gang, the Cowboys. They are eventually forced to fight, and with the help of Doc Holiday, they carry out justice against the outlaws, but not without a price.

OK Corral in Tombstone

Reenactment Of the Shootout at The O.K. Corral – Tombstone Helldorado Days 2023

Tombstone traders

The World Famous Wells Fargo Stagecoach

The town started in the 1870s as a mining camp and grew as it became a rich source of silver. Upon the formation of Cochise County in 1881, Tombstone has named the county seat.

Telegraph service was extended to the town shortly after. The city boomed with growth but declined as the mines were exhausted. Modern-day town thrives mostly on tourism, with just under a half million visitors yearly.

The town is a magnet for history buffs because the original town is mainly preserved. Reenactments of gunfights occur daily for tourists, but the celebration of Helldorado days takes the fun and excitement to a whole new level.

Townspeople and visitors will enjoy various activities, including a parade, reenactments, specials at local establishments, and much more, including the shootout at the OK Corral.

Longhorn restaurant

The O.K. Corral Gunfight Site

Tombstone at Night – Second Amendment City

In Tombstone, support for gun rights runs deep. Tombstone, more or less, became famous for guns. Without guns, there wouldn’t have been any shootout at the OK Corral, and well, that’s one of the most significant events that make the town so well known.

In Tombstone’s early days, everyone carried guns, and it was no doubt a dangerous place. With the conflict and violence, it’s no surprise that even those not looking for trouble felt the need to be armed for protection.

The United States Constitution rolled up on an American flag

Tombstone Second Amendment City

On Jan. 10, 2017, Tombstone’s mayor, Dusty Escapule, signed and read a proclamation stating that Tombstone is America’s “Second Amendment City.” “The citizens are accustomed to having firearms around,” said Escapule after the declaration. “Just stop and look up and down Allen Street. Most of the guys are carrying a gun.” Guns are a natural part of Tombstone, and residents firmly believe in the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment.

With calls to End gun violence, no more silence!

A prominent local businessman voiced his support for the proclamation. Gordan Anderson, the owner of the Larian Motel, is a long-time supporter of gun rights and the Second Amendment.

While voicing support for the proclamation, Gordon has also shown commitment to gun safety in his business, stating that guns and alcohol are dangerous. He said, “We’re about rights; we’re not advocating violence. The mission is to educate people on Tombstone’s core beliefs, history, current events, and future.

Tombstone Arizona

Mayor Escapule has also stated that he would like to see other mayors in Arizona step up and do as he did, proclaiming their cities as those that support the second amendment. “The Second Amendment City” isn’t the only slogan Tombstone now has.

Another one is the “Town Too Tough to Die.” From its rich history to the Helldorado Days, which involves numerous gun shows and reenactments, to this proclamation, Tombstone has made itself a monument of gun rights and the second amendment. It may be interesting to see if this kind of advocacy gains traction and takes place in other cities across America.

police car

Read more – Why You Should Visit Tombstone, Arizona, in 2020

Rene Peters
Herm Peters is a travel blogger and Food Blogger.

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