DEL NORTE – As this busy summer begins to slide toward fall in the Valley, Del Norte is gearing up for its annual Covered Wagon Days and the four-day event is set to be a grand time for all.
Beginning on Thursday, Aug. 1, the town will be a great place to come for an afternoon of fun, farmers markets and music in the park. Kathy’s Fabric Trunk will be hosting the annual quilt show and the Rio Grande County Museum has opened an antique quilt and clothing show for all to enjoy. The San Luis Valley quilt Guild will be selling their $10 items to raise money for several charity projects for the coming year.
The Town of Del Norte will be hosting its Thursday night Music in the Park and Mercado Del Norte will be set up in the Del Norte Town Park for an evening of live entertainment and fun for the entire family.
Friday will feature the annual Veteran’s Dinner at the High Valley Community Center with proceeds going toward Veteran services and places like the Homelake Veteran’s center in Monte Vista. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the door.
Saturday will be a day packed full of fun beginning early in the morning with the Val Alto Pancake breakfast and followed by the Bees Knees 5K walk and run that takes participants along trails in some of Del Norte’s beautiful back country. Whether looking to fill up on pancakes or participate in the 5K, both are at the High Valley Community Center.
By 7:30 a.m., people can also wander to the Del Norte Public Library’s annual Booksale. This event is a great place to come and stock up on books for the coming winter or even as a gift for the bookworms out there! All proceeds from this event go towards the library.
The annual Covered Wagon Days parade kicks off at 10 a.m. along Grande Avenue which will be closed this year from 10 a.m. until noon. This year’s theme is “The good, the bad and the ugly” which should bring out the true old west side of Del Norte.
Following the parade is the annual Ice Cream Social at the Rio Grande County Museum and the barbecue lunch fundraiser at the Del Norte Fire Department.
Saturday afternoon brings people to the Del Norte Town Park where there will be vendors, a car show and something for everyone to enjoy. Sunday morning is the annual fly-in breakfast at the Kent Rominger Airport and church in the Town Park followed by a barbecue lunch.
For a full schedule of events, visit www.coveredwagondays.com.
