Huck Finn's Jubilee, an annual bluegrass and country music weekend in Southern California’s Victorville at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park, is an ideal event for grandparents with RVs to bring their grandchildren and together revel in the spirit of Mark Twain, author of the classics Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
Although music is a main draw at the three-day festival, which celebrates 35 years in 2011, families can also attend a circus, take hot air balloon rides, build rafts, paint fences, and participate in a treasure hunt and greased pole contests.
The festival can be a perfect destination for grandparents taking grandchildren on graduation trips.
Fishing Derby, Arm Wrestling and Mark Randall as Mark Twain
A variety of fun games take place at the festival, such as arm wrestling championships, a cow-chip toss; and a “blind bogie” fish derby, where five winners receive a ribbon and $50 each. One of the Saturday highlights is a liar's contest, which is open to all tall-tale tellers.
The jubilee includes a Huck Finn look-alike contest, a performance of Mark Randall’s one-man show, Mark Twain Live. Throughout the weekend, leading bands play on four stages.
The 2011 dates are June 17-19, which is Fathers Day weekend.
The event is a major attraction for parents and grandparents with recreational vehicles, since there is a slew of camping space including 250 sites than can be reserved in advance. The park is located about 85 miles east of Los Angeles in what’s described by promoters as “an oasis of trees and meadows along the course of the high desert’s Mojave River near Victorville.” Hiking, horseback riding, boating and fishing are among regular activities at the park.
Affordable Admission for Camping and Shows
According to the promoters, all of the concerts, the circus, the Wet Saloon play area and most of the games and contests are included with admission.
The cost of attending the Huck Finn Jubilee is reasonable. For those who arrive Wednesday the charge is $95 for each person 13 years and older, $20 for ages 6 through 12, plus $20 for the camping unit for Wednesday night. Those arriving Thursday also pay $95 for those 13 and older and $20 for kids 6 through 12.
Friday arrivals pay $85 and $20, respectively, while those arriving Saturday pay $55 and $10.
The area has space for dry camping and tenting as well. Those who don’t wish to camp have their choice of numerous hotels and motels in Victorville, including leading chains such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express.
Grace Lichtenstein - I prefer "seasoned" to "senior" but whatever term you use, I have been an outdoor adventurer for most of my adult years. I am a cycling ...
