Gunfight at the O.K. Corral 125th Anniversary

On Oct. 26th through 28th, 2006, Tombstone, Arizona celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the historic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Attendees will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to walk where Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil & Morgan Earp fought the Clantons & McLaurys in the legendary Oct. 26th, 1881 gunfight that made Tombstone famous.

On Thurs., Oct. 26th, a special reenactment of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral will take place behind the O.K. Corral on the exact spot & time of day (2:30 p.m.) as the original Gunfight. Each day, various confrontations that surrounded the Gunfight, & the Gunfight itself, will be reenacted on the streets of Tombstone.

The Tombstone Courthouse State Park will host a rare exhibit of Wyatt Earp artifacts. For the 1st time, the public will be able to view the only map of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral drawn by Wyatt Earp himself, as well as drawings of Wyatt's revenge killings of Cowboys Curly Bill Brocious, John Ringo, & Frank Stilwell. Other documents include an arrest warrant signed by Wyatt, a receipt from the O.K. Corral signed by the owner, John Montgomery, & tax receipts signed by Wyatt's rival, Sheriff Johnny Behan. Photographs on display for the 1st time include original pictures of Doc Holliday; "Old Man" Clanton; Tombstone's "surgeon to the gunfighters," Dr. George Goodfellow; Tombstone's founder, Ed Schieffelin; Wyatt's 1st 2 wives, Urilla & Mattie; & photos of Geronimo with his Apache warriors taken by Tombstone's photographer, C.S. Fly.

At noon on Sat. Oct. 28th, a funeral procession for the 3 cowboys killed in the Gunfight -Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury, & Billy Clanton--will be reenacted in Tombstone for the 1st time. Costumed visitors in antique buggies & on foot are invited to follow the horse-drawn hearses down Allen Street & pay their respects.

The Tombstone Repertory Company will perform Gilbert & Sullivan's 1878 comic operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore, nightly in historic Schieffelin Hall. Wyatt Earp met his 3rd wife, Josie Marcus, when she appeared in Tombstone playing the part of Cousin Hebe. It is rumored that the Earps & Doc Holliday will attend these performances.

125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL

Michael Hickey's Western History Symposium & Book Exposition will host panel discussions & book signings by well-known Western writers in Schieffelin & the American Legion Halls. Participants include Tombstone's Historian, Ben Traywick, Dr. Paul Hutton, Bob McCubbin, Lee Silva, & Gary Ledoux. Descendants of the original gunfighters, including Terry "Ike" Clanton & Wyatt Earp, will discuss their famous ancestors.

Additional panel discussions of the Gunfight and the Old West will be held in the Bella Union Opera House with the support of the Tombstone Lions Club. These panels will involve historians & well-known authors such as Bob Boze Bell, editor of True West Magazine, Allen Barra, Professor Steve Lubet, Paul Hutton, Jeff Morey & Robert Palmquist.

As sponsors of the Anniversary Celebration, True West & Wild West magazines & The Tombstone Epitaph newspaper are devoting their Oct. issues to the Gunfight. There will also be a showing of the movie "Tombstone" every evening on Allen Street. Film stars who have played important historical characters in movies involving Tombstone will discuss their roles Saturday afternoon in Schieffelin Hall & will also sign autographs.

On Sat. evening, the celebration will close with an 1880s Grand Costume Ball & Casino Night at the Bella Union Opera House. The evening will offer 1880s dancing, gambling, entertainment, food & drink. Period music will be provided by Tucson's Old Arizona Brass Band.

This historic Anniversary Celebration of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral brings a unique combination of Wyatt Earp artifacts, knowledgeable historians, & skilled reenactors to "The Town Too Tough to Die." Join them & be a part of history. The schedule of events can be found at www.okcorralgunfight.com. "You're a daisy if you do!"

Most events in the town will be free. Regular park fees apply for events in the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. Regular park fees are $4 per person for ages 14 & up; children aged 13 & younger are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is located on the corner of Toughnut and 3rd Streets, 2 blocks off Highway 80, in Tombstone, Az. For more info call Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park at (520) 457-3311.