“Gold Rush” cast member Andy Spinks answers questions at the April Grant County Chamber of Commerce meeting.

JOHN DAY — The cast of the reality TV show “Gold Rush” were special guests at the April 21 Grant County Chamber of Commerce meeting, and a big hit with all those attending.

Chamber President Jerry Franklin said cast members Andy Spinks, Dave Turin, Todd Hoffman and his father, Jack Hoffman, most of whom are from the Sandy area, are happy to be back in Oregon, after spending the past seven years mining in the Yukon and Guyana. They shared stories of those experiences, answered questions, gave autographs and posed for photos with the standing-room-only crowd at the Outpost Restaurant.

According to Chamber President Jerry Franklin, the popular program has 170 million followers and is broadcast in nine different languages.

Franklin said he became acquainted with the show’s personnel some months back.

“They were nice enough to accept my invitation to show up here in John Day for our Chamber meeting,” Franklin said.

The Chamber provided them with lodging and meals, Franklin said, and Dave Traylor gave a private tour of Sels Brewery in Canyon City and a history lesson on mining in the Canyon City area where gold was discovered in 1862 before miners moved on toward Baker County.

Franklin said John Day and Prairie City merchants were generous with gifts and gift certificates in hopes of drawing the program’s business to Grant County.

“We believe that they all went away with a very positive feeling about our area and the warm friendly reception that they received,” he said.

They have a new mine just outside of Hereford, Franklin said, and he is hoping to attract their business interests toward Grant County.

“I think we have made some new friends, and they are really down to earth folks, who understand that our area has experienced some economic setbacks over the years and their presence could help stimulate our economy,” Franklin said.