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COVERED WAGON DAYS
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017
Schedule of Events
PRESERVING OUR WESTERN WAYS Thursday, Aug. 3 Quilt Show through Aug. 6, Kathy’s Fabric Trunk, 610 Grand Ave., 6 p.m. Meet Your Neighbor Night, Knights of Columbus, Potluck sponsored by the Del Norte Ministerial Alliance. David Pacheco
Jerry Gallegos
Friday, Aug. 4 6 p.m. 7 p.m.
Pig Roast to benefit the SLV Veterans, at the big tent next to Jack’s Market, music by Fred Hargrove and Oden Dean Live music by The Rifters, Wildwood Sounds, 850 Grande Ave.
Saturday, Aug. 5
James Sanchez
Young Ernie Martinez
Parade honors ‘Band of Brothers’ as marshals DEL NORTE—A beautiful memorial stands in a peaceful setting in the little village now known as Seven Mile Plaza or simply “The Plaza.” A highway sign at the Five Mile Hill on Highway 160 going east out of Del Norte will direct the visitor to turn left at a well-marked turn on the highway to “The Plaza.” The “Plaza” has been known by “Plaza Arriba” and “Los Valdezes” and later as the “Seven Mile Plaza.” It is also called home by a group of young men who answered the call of their country and left this beautiful place nestled beside the Rio Grande to the ugliness of war in Vietnam. The little village of 50 families sent 11 of their young men to war. After returning from the war, Ernie Martinez and Henry Gallegos stated that they stayed together as a group for about nine months,
helping each other work through what they had been through and had seen. Gradually, they moved on with their lives, some married and got jobs and some stayed here and some moved to other areas, but they will always be the “Band of Brothers.” The Band of Brothers include Herman Sanchez, Army (died 1999); Tom Gallegos Marines and his brother Jerry, Army; Alfred Gonzales, Army and his brother Ruben, Navy (died 1999), Ernie Martinez, Army; David Pacheco, Army; Jim Sanchez, Army and his brother Mike, Army; Larry Lujan, Marines and his brother Henry, Army. To the Band of Brothers and all who served, we salute you who sacrificed for our freedom and the service to our country. *Not all photos available.
Pancake breakfast Aug. 5 DEL NORTE—In conjunction with Del Norte’s Covered Wagon Days Val Alto Women’s Fellowship Club will host the 41st Pancake Breakfast Saturday, Aug. 5 from 7-9 a.m. the southwest corner of US 160 (Grande Avenue) and Columbia, the High Valley Community Center. This year the delicious homemade
pancakes will be prepared and donated by the Kerr family of the Mystic Biscuit Restaurant and Coffee House. The menu consists of pancakes, sausage, orange juice, coffee and tea for only $6 for adults and $3 for children. Profits go to local charities. For information, please call Suzie Off 719-657-2350.
7 a.m. Del Norte Public Library Book Sale (until noon) at 750 Grand Ave. 7 a.m. Val Alto Pancake Breakfast at HVCC, 595 Grand Ave. 7:30 a.m. “It’s the Bee’s Knees” 5K Trail walk/run at HVCC, 595 Grand Ave. 8 a.m. Pie Sale, Ruth Marie Center 9 a.m. Merchant Open House, town of Del Norte 10 a.m. Parade, starts at Cedar Street and Grand Ave. 11 a.m. Del Norte Volunteer Fireman’s BBQ, firehouse, 880 Grand Ave. 11 a.m. Car Show, Columbia Street 11 a.m. Ice Cream Social, Rio Grande County Museum, 580 Oak St. 11 a.m. Tractor Club homemade ice cream sale, Columbia St. at Grand Ave. 12 p.m. Kids Bike Safety Rodeo, Kristi Mtn. Sports, 680 Grand Ave. 12:30 p.m. Historical Wagon Tours, departs across from Rio Grande Museum 1 p.m. Dog Daze Dog Show, HVCC, 595 Grand Ave. SLV Renegades Encampment, near the big tent next to Jack’s Market 1 p.m. Tractor Pull by SLV Antique Iron Club, near the big tent next to Jack’s Market 2 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Seven Falls Native Dancers, big tent near Jack’s Market 2 p.m. DNHS Mud Volleyball Tournament, NW corner Spruce St. & 2nd St. 8 p.m. Dance with Gunbarrel Junction, HVCC, 595 Grand Ave.
Sunday, August 6 8 a.m. 10 a.m.
Fly-in and breakfast, Kent Rominger Regional Airport Church Service in the park by Del Norte Ministerial Alliance
COVERED WAGON DAYS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017
Covered Wagon Days preserves Western ways BY LYNDSIE FERRELL DEL NORTE—The 45th Annual Covered Wagon Days is on the horizon for Del Norte and will be packed full of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. The first weekend in August will be dedicated to celebrating the rich history surrounding the town and all the people that helped make the community what it is today. According to a brief history provided by the town of Del Norte, “The Del Norte area was once home to the Old Spanish Trail. This trail was a major trade route running between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles, Calif. Del Norte was originally settled by Europeans who were moving into the area from north New Mexico in the late 1850s. In 1872, Del Norte incorporated as a municipality. By the mid-1870s, prospectors found the nearby San Juan Mountains rich with gold and silver deposits. As many mining claims were registered, Del Norte transformed into the supply base and financial center at the west end of San Luis Valley. When Rio Grande County was formed in 1874, Del Norte became its county seat. During Del Norte’s booming years, the population swelled to over 10,000 people. The town
featured an opera house, library, saloons and dance halls. In 1883, a man by the name of George Darby established the Presbyterian College of the Southwest. This college also had a church and a dormitory as well as several farmlands to support it. The college also boasted the only telescope west of the Mississippi – built as an observatory on the summit of Mt. Lookout. Unfortunately, the college burned down in 1893. In the final part of Del Norte’s boom years, Del Norte was proposed to become the state capitol – it failed by one vote.” Beginning on Aug. 3, Kathy’s Fabric Trunk will feature a quilt show where people can view works of art created by several local artists. Later that evening, guests are invited to the Knights of Columbus building to partake in a potluck. Bring a dish to share and come out to meet the people who make the community of Del Norte a special place. On Aug. 4, there will be live entertainment at the city park provided by Fred Hargrove and Oden Dean. The town will be roasting a pig, prepared by the Mystic Biscuit, to share with guests and invite the entire Valley to come join in on the celebrations. Cost is $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 7-12 and free for children six and
under. The next morning will host the annual parade with the theme “Preserving our Western Ways.” Local businesses and organizations make floats every year to honor the rich history surrounding the town. The Del Norte Public Library will be hosting their annual book sale in the parking lot located next to the library on Highway 160. Hundreds of books are brought out for sale and all proceeds go to the new library project which is still underway. A pancake breakfast will be available at the High Valley Community Center prior to the parade with proceeds going to future projects for the center. The center will also host a dance at 8 p.m. featuring music by local band, Gunbarrel Junction. Tickets will be available prior at The Columbine and Jack’s Market, as well as at the “door.” The weekend is full of activities that include a dog show, mud volleyball, 5K, car show, tractor pull, the annual Del Norte Fire Department barbeque lunch and more. There will be something for everyone to enjoy so mark the calendar and come out to join in on the fun! For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit www.coveredwagondays.com.
The Rifters to perform at WWS DEL NORTE — Wildwood Sounds, 850 Grande Ave., Del Norte, presents for Covered Wagon Days The Rifters, dance and show on Friday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 657-4757 or see wildwoodsounds.com. The Rifters formed in 2002 in the fertile and creative music scene of Taos, New Mexico from members of two popular bands already active in the area. Jim Bradley and Don Richmond of Hired Hands, and Rod Taylor of the Rounders, who had all known one another for years playing in the acoustic dance-oriented Americana music scene of northern New Mexico, decided to join forces to form The Rifters. Putting out more music than it seems should be right for three guys on stage, the Rifters employ a wide range of acoustic and electric instruments, combined with soaring three-part harmonies, to provide a mesmerizing variety of music from driving blue-gramagrass to ethereal desert beauty. The years of playing to the dance crowds in their northern New Mexico homeland has given their music a toe-tapping rhythm that is engaging and undeniable. With a pedigree of bands like
The Rifters Hired Hands, the Rounders, and South by Southwest among them, the Rifters are truly a musical voice of their region of high desert vistas and mountain majesty. And just what sort of music do The Rifters play? From the liner notes to their self-titled first CD, released in July of 2004 on Howlin’ Dog Records: “It’s music that comes from where we come from – both from the high desert and mountain landscape of our home and from the background and experiences of our lives – sort
Courtesy photo
of a laid-back high-energy gentle giant old blue-buffalo-gramagrassy, cowboy, folky, shake-a-leg with a smile sort of thing. A rift is a split or a gap, sort of the like the Rio Grande Rift that we all live on or around. But this music is more about bridging gaps. For us the music is what ties all the different times and places together. We hope you enjoy it.” This is a sweets and snacks potluck. Bring a favorite healthy snack to share, and as always coffee and tea are on the house.
Register now for the Bee’s Knees DEL NORTE—It’s time for the Bee’s Knees 5K Trail Run/Walk, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 5 in Del Norte at 7:30 a.m. The race will begin and end on Highway 160 (Grande Ave.) at the High Valley Community Center (same location as last year), which will be the site of the Val Alto Pancake Breakfast. Racers will
begin on pavement, proceed to the dirt trail around D-Mountain, then back on pavement around the Del Norte elementary & middle school to Highway 160 to the finish. The course will be marked. Entry fee is $15; mail entries and make checks payable to: It’s the Bee’s knees 5K, 425 Grande Ave, Del Norte, CO 81132 The deadline
to register for a guaranteed t-shirt is Thursday, July 27. Race day entry is $20. (Any donations will go to the Covered Wagon Days and the Del Norte XC Team) Awards will be given to the top three men and top three women, as well as first male and female master and oldest and youngest finishers.
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11TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER & AUCTION
August 12, 2017 Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Auction at 7 p.m.
%FM /PSUF 4DIPPMT #VT (BSBHF r 1055 French St., Del Norte Tickets: $12 Available at the Hospital & Clinics and at door Dinner by Smokin’ Johnnys BBQ
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017
Photos by Anthony Guerrero
Top: Color guard led the 2016 parade. Left: Biscuit throw reenactment. Right: Spectators near Columbia Street were treated to a reenactment of the late 1800 biscuit throw fight during last year’s Covered Wagon Days.
RGCM hosts events during Covered Wagon Days DEL NORTE— The bunker site is a 16-acre area that was discovered several years ago by ranchers, Bob and Shirley Bunker. It is located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristos on the east fork of the Old Spanish Trail. Excavation and research have revealed that the site may have been used for over a thousand years. The traveling display currently showing in the Rio Grande County Museum was developed by Lorrie Crawford and Anita McDaniel, director of Ft Garland Museum. Wade Collins will also be at the museum during Covered Wagon Days as the featured artist. His paintings and sculptures will be on display through the middle of August. His paintings are actual life experiences and his artwork is a way of keeping the memories. He celebrates his life with his art and enjoys a lifestyle that many only dream of. He loves the mountains and his studio is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Collins will be at the museum on Saturday, Aug. 5 following the Covered Wagon Days parade. The Bunker Site program will be at 2 p.m.
Courtesy photo
The Bunker site exhibit was put together by Lorrie Crawford and Anita McDaniel, director of the Ft. Garland Museum. For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at 657-2847; email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org and visit the Rio Grande County website and the museum Facebook page.
JACK’S MARKET 657-3505 Del Norte
Ice & Snacks for a Great Picnic!
Come on in for Covered Wagon Days and cash in on BIG savings!