Perry Mason Days

Perry Mason Days

The 10th Annual Perry Mason Days, celebrating the life and times of Erle Stanley Gardner, begins Sept. 29, culminating on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Erle is one of the world’s most prolific writers and author of the Perry Mason stories. We honor him every year in Oroville because he once lived here and attended Oroville High School.  He also lived in Paradise.  We feel that he is worthy of being honored, and thus we hold Perry Mason Days every year as an opportunity to honor him and for the public to learn more about him.
We are also honored that his family chooses to attend the celebration every year, as well.
The event begins at the Artists of Rivertown at 1435 Myers Street in Oroville with a Mystery Show and awards given out on Oct. 26., 4-6 p.m.
In Downtown Oroville restaurants and coffee shops will feature special items: Mug Shots will feature a Perry Mason Mocha, Golden Poppy will feature a Perry Mason Pastrami Sandwich and Coffee Diem will feature Perry Mason Scones.
Then on Oct. 6 The Erle Stanley Gardner Archery Tournament, sponsored by the Butte County Historical Society and the Yuba -Sutter Archery Association, will begin the day’s activities with an Archery Tournament at the Oroville High School Practice Field at Mitchell and Washington Streets at 9:00 a.m.  The public is invited.  To participate it is $ 5; no experience necessary and bows and arrows are supplied.  To watch is free.  Warm-up is at 8:45 a.m. Erle Stanley Gardner is in the Bowhunters Hall of fame.  This activity was suggested by his nephew, Ken Gardner, a few years ago, and we have been having it every since. Erle’s nephews and grandson will be present at the tournament to sign autographs and talk with attendees.
Then off we go to the Ehmann Home at 1480 Lincoln Street in Oroville, at 11:00 a.m., where Erle Stanley Gardner movies will be shown.  A Reception, hosted by Hedda Hopper, will be held at Noon to meet Erle’s family and have refreshments.  Admission is by donation.  At 1 p.m. our number one fan, Valerie Zwirn, from Southern Califonia, who has attended all the Perry Mason Days of the past 9 years, will talk about Erle’s Travel Book, “The Land of Shorter Shadows.”  At  1:15 p.m. Erle’s nephew, Ken Gardner, who has participated in Cowboy Poetry Events, will give his rendition of “Casey at the Bat” and tell how poetry ties in with Perry Mason Days.
At 4 p.m., you are then invited to the Butte County Law Library at 1675 Montgomery Street, Oroville, to witness the awards of the Erle Stanley Gardner Essay contest sponsored by the Exchange Club of Oroville.  Admission is free.
Then on to the Methodist Church for Dinner and a Play,  $10.00, at 45 Acacia, Oroville. Reservations Required.  Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and play at 7:00p.m. Call the church, 534-9455, for tickets.

—News Release from Alberta Tracy