OCCHS’ summer Saturday fairs at same time as Farmers’ Market

       After five years as an annual event in Bancroft Park, the Old Colorado City Historical Society (OCCHS) has come up with a new plan for its garden and crafts fair.
       From June 12 to Aug. 29, the OCCHS will host a smaller-scale fair every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on its Old Colorado City History Center property, 1 S. 24th St. As before when it was one event, the multiple fairs are intended as fundraisers to cover ongoing OCCHS costs.
       The fair times will “complement” those of the weekly, popular Farmers' Market on 24th Street, right in front of the History Center between Pikes Peak and Colorado Avenues, according to OCCHS spokesperson Jo Cervone. The market will also start its season June 12.
       “A variety of merchandise, ranging from bird houses to children's items to jewelry, will be available,” Cervone said. “There will be something for every age and taste done by local crafters.”
       OCCHS President Phil McDonald said the plan change for the fair was necessary because of the “prohibitive expense” of renting city-owned Bancroft Park and paying the required insurance. The History Center has far less outside space than the park and “obviously won't be able to accommodate as many people as we could in the park,” McDonald said, “but it will be a more feasible operation.”
       The center itself will open at 11 a.m. Saturdays.
       For more information, call the OCCHS at 636-1225.

Westside Pioneer/press release