43rd annual Territory Days in Old Colorado City May 26-28 May 12, 2018With its usual mix of western traditions and modern fun, the 43rd annual Territory Days will take over Old Colorado City May 26-28. The festival will close Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets all three days over Memorial Day weekend for about 200 vendor booths, entertainers at
The event is free, although the rides, several activities and vendor offerings cost money. The event times are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (the 26th and 27th) and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday (the 28th) Most Old Colorado City shops, restaurants and taverns will also be open. According to a press release from Pro Promotions (the event coordinator), “One of the state's largest craft vendor fairs is highlighted with features including pony rides, a kids play area, a petting zoo, cowboy church service, toy train rides, gold panning, magical medicine show, period costumed characters, live birds of prey, native American dancers, magicians and two beer gardens with live music running all three days.” The musical headliner will be national country recording artist Morgan Evans, Monday, May 28 at 2 p.m. in the bandshell in Bancroft Park (in the 2400 block of Colorado Avenue). In addition to Bancroft, entertainment is scheduled
Boosting the Old West flavor at this year's Territory Days' will be: The Old Colorado City History Center, adjacent to Bancroft Park at 1 S. 24th St., will have an operating, old-style, HO-scale model train, set up by Chris Fox, a Lincoln County railroad restoration volunteer. Admission is free. Old Colorado City Historical Society volunteers in costume will provide demonstrations and displays of local history at the Garvin Cabin in Bancroft Park throughout the festival. On Monday (Memorial Day) at 3 p.m. will be the annual Territory Days ceremony that honors soldiers who've died in American wars. The event features units of the U.S. military. This year they will be the 101st Army Winds and the NORAD/US NORTHCOM Joint Color Guard. A free shuttle service will again be provided throughout Territory Days. People can park at the Coronado High School parking lot, with buses running back and forth roughly every 15 minutes. Pro Promotions contracts with the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) business group. Territory Days is the OCCA's most profitable event of the year, with earnings used primarily for marketing the historic shopping district. According to Pro Promotions co-owner Jim Wear, his agency seeks to minimize festival impacts - such as parking and trash - on the neighborhood around Old Colorado City. Anyone with concerns or issues can call Pro Promotions at 487-8005.
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