Join the Buckeye Chapter of the GPAA for our annual Gold Rush Days, held Labor Day Weekend at the GPAA Swank Claim along the beautiful Clearfork River near Butler, Ohio. Gold Rush Days are a weekend packed full of gold prospecting and family oriented events. From common digs to kids games and duck races to metal detecting, there is something for everyone at Gold Rush Days! Free camping for GPAA members. Directions to Swank Claim and our schedule of events are outlined
below. We hope you can join us! If you have any questions, please contact us via private message or email ohiobuckeyegold@gmail.com
Directions to Gold Rush Days
Swank Claim Address: 1099 Cutnaw Rd. Bellville, OH 44813
GPS Coordinates: N 40° 35.885' W 082° 27.602'
PLEASE NOTE: The schedule below may change with the addition of a couple of events. Please be sure to check back closer to the event for the final schedule, and the master schedule during the event at the main pavilion.
Saturday, Septmeber 5, 2026
Note: * Denotes Location of Event
8:00AM - Flag Raising and Pledge of Allegiance *Pavilion
8:15AM – Volunteer Meeting At The Pavilion *Pavilion
9-11AM – All Age Common Dig (Adults and Kids)*Common Dig Location
10:00AM – Prospecting Store Opens / Raffle Sales / Metal Detecting Registration *Pavilion
10:00AM – Duck Sales Through the Day
11:00-6:00 - Food Truck (Grunt Grub)
4:00PM – Speed Panning Competitions *Pavilion
5:00PM - Raffles *Pavilion
5:30PM – Live Auction *Pavilion (Please drop off donated items by 4:00PM at the
Buckeye Chapter store).
9:00PM – Movie Night! Join us for a family friendly movie. Weather permitting. Popcorn will be available. *Main Pavilion
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Note: * Denotes Location of Event
8:00AM - Flag Raising and Pledge of Allegiance by *Pavilion
8:15AM - Volunteer Meeting At The Pavilion *Pavilion
9-11:00AM – Adult Common Dig (14 Years And Over) *Common Dig Location
9:00AM – Kids Games and Crafts *Meet at Pavilion
10:00AM – Prospecting Store Opens / Raffle Sales *Pavilion
10:00AM – Duck Sales Through the Day
11:00-6:00 - Food Truck (The Rolling Rubins)
12-1:00PM – Kids Common Dig (Under 14 Years) *Common Dig Location
4:30PM – Gold Pan Racing – Both Classes*Common Dig Location
5:30PM - BCGPAA Fundraiser Gold Auction.
6:00PM – Raffles *Pavilion
8:00PM – Prospector Campfire *Firepit near main pavilion. Bring your chairs, a few beverages, and kick back as we close out another great Gold Rush Days! (Family friendly
Common Dig
Join us for our traditional Common Dig! You will have the opportunity to prospect for gold like many generations before us have. Learn how to use prospecting equipment, identify great gold holding materials, and of course share in the traditional nugget draw! Every paid and working participant will receive a split of the concentrates at the end and be eligible for prizes and the nugget draw. Fees: Adult Common Dig - $6.00 Kids Common Dig – Free
Kids Crafts / Activities
Bring the kids to the Pavilion to enjoy a fun time making crafts! Our volunteers will help them create a neat project that they can take home. All ages of kids are welcome!
Live Auction
Putting on Gold Rush is very challenging, and it does come with a price tag. Join us for our silent and live auction where we will have donated items (from visitors like you) up for auction. These donated items are what help us to raise the funds necessary to offset the expenses of Gold Rush. Feel free to bring items to donate for these auctions. Donations will be accepted all day on Saturday at the main pavilion at the raffle tables. We truly appreciate your support in this cause!
Speed Panning Competitions
Think you have what it takes to be the quickest hand at panning on the Swank Claim? Show your stuff here! Registration is free…just show up and try your luck at speed panning your pan down and retrieving the seeded gold nuggets. Winner of the competition will receive a trophy!
Gold Pan Racing
Have you converted your gold pan into a raceboat? How about a jet propelled (ok Alka Seltzer propelled) floating green plastic disc? Or perhaps just a plain gold pan that you have faith in. This event always has some creativity involved. Bring your pan to the location prior to the event time to be entered. Registration is Free! We will have 2 classes: Standard and Modified. More information to come soon!
BCGPAA Fundraiser Gold Auction
We will be holding a special Gold auction on Sunday before the major prize raffle. This raffle will start with a bucket of cons from the Ohio GATS panning zone. Gold will be added by those wishing to donate to the fundraiser as the bidding goes up. Who knows...perhaps a surprise or two! We do accept CC payment, so bid high and often to support your chapter!
