Once miners began extracting gold from Nome’s beaches, the race was on. Anyone could work the sand of Nome’s “poor man’s paradise.” All you needed were some tools, some luck, and speed. Good old-fashioned skill also helped. Those skills are celebrated today in Nome’s “Poor Man’s Beach Gold Panning Contest,” held in late July near the Giant Gold Pan in Anvil City Square.
Each contestant receives “pay dirt” with an equal amount of gold, and the one to pan it fastest is the winner. Lots of fun, whether you’re swishing a gold pan, or cheering on participants.
Sponsored by the Gold Prospectors Association of America and Rasmussen’s Music Mart.
