 As sunset falls over the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Hot Club of Cowtown performs the closing set on the main stage at the annual Fiddles, Vittles & Vino in July. A fundraiser for the the 1880s-style working ranch, the show was a sellout. Rock Ledge has five more events scheduled through mid-November. See article at right and/or the Westside Happenings (Page 9) for details. Westside Pioneer photo
|
Below are capsule summaries of the major annual events scheduled through early November. See the Pioneer's Westside Happenings (Page 9) for times, contact numbers, costs (if any), and other details - as well as other Westside goings-ons.
Sept. 7 - 1800s-style baseball game. With the hay field for a ballpark at the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a team of ranch volunteers (and perhaps a couple of former U.S. presidents) will play nine innings against players from a Denver-area vintage baseball league. Under loose interpretations of early baseball rules, spectators can influence umpire's calls and even “field” thrown or batted balls that come their way.
Sept. 13 - Komen Race for the Cure (5K run or walk as breast cancer fundraiser), through the Garden of the Gods. The event routinely attracts well over a thousand participants, with the main activities in the Rock Ledge Ranch parking area.
Sept. 18-20 - Folk Art Festival. Under large tents on the Rock Ledge Ranch hay field, 160-plus crafters from around the country will offer their wares. The event is organized by Old Colorado City's Holly Berry House shop as a major Rock Ledge Ranch fundraiser.
Sept. 19 - Coronado High School Homecoming Parade. The avenue will be closed between 30th Street and Bancroft Park for marchers, floats and bands. The student-government organizers will start the event an hour later this year (10 a.m.), in hopes of more community involvement. Beforehand, in the park, will be the school's Pancake Breakfast as a parade fundraiser.
 An umbrella was a good idea during the hot morning temperatures of the 24th annual Good Times Car Show in Old Colorado City Aug. 16. Sponsored by four local car clubs, the event typically parks some 400 classic cars along Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets. Westside Pioneer photo
|
Sept. 19 - Carnegie Day Ice Cream Social. Ice cream will be given away outside the Old Colorado City Carnegie Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., in honor of Andrew Carnegie, whose donation allowed its construction in 1904. The event will coincide with the Coronado parade, as it wraps up across the street in Bancroft Park.
Sept. 26 - Intertribal Powwow. The event at Rock Ledge Ranch will highlight American Indian culture, including dancers and drummers from the region as well as outlying states.
Sept. 26 - “Haunted Histories of Old Colorado City.” A nighttime event at Fairview Cemetery. New this year (replacing the previously annual Cemetery Crawl), it will feature “ghosts” telling the stories of local historical figures. (See separate story, Page 10.)
Oct. 3 - Harvest Festival. The public will get free admission to Rock Ledge Ranch. Activities will include pumpkin-picking, historic house tours and children's games.
Oct. 17 - Giant Pumpkin Festival. Sponsored by the Old Colorado City Associates, the event attracts growers with some of the biggest pumpkins in the state, exceeding 1,000 pounds at times in the past. It will be in the Old Town Plaza, 25th Street and Colorado Avenue.
Oct. 31 - Safe Treats. Old Colorado City merchants will welcome trick-or-treaters to their stores; plus, there will be activities in Old Town Plaza. 634-1190.
Nov. 14 - “Everything But the Oink!” Demonstrations at Rock Ledge Ranch of hog processing, sausage-making, soap-making and other activities associated with 1800s-era pre-winter farming activities.
Westside Pioneer article