‘Palmer,’ ‘Bates’ to help Rock Ledge’s 4th

       Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site will host its annual Independence Day event Friday, July 4.
       Several activities are scheduled in keeping with the 1880s style of the city-owned ranch between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
       Prices are $6 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors and children.
       Here is the schedule (subject to change):
       Morning (no set time), live old-time music by the Beedles in front of the Rock Ledge House.
       10:15-4:15, Garden Shed Candy Scramble.
       10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., carnival games in the barn.
       11 a.m., “America the Beautiful,” read by Katharine Lee Bates (portrayed by Robin Sutherland), at the Rock Ledge House.
       10 a.m.-2 p.m., “Civil War Medicine and Surgery” - presentation by Bob Mallin, M.D., at the Civil War Encampment.
       Noon-12:30 and 1-1:30 p.m., patriotic music by the Fountain Creek Brass Band outside the Orchard House.
       12:30 p.m., the Declaration of Independence, read by General William Palmer (Dave Harmon) with Thomas McLaren ( Alex Scherer) in front of the Orchard House.
       Noon-2:30 p.m., watermelon-eating contests next to the blacksmith's shop.
       1:45 and 2:45 p.m., the Gettysburg Address, read by President Abraham Lincoln (Merell Folsom) at the Galloway Homestead cabin.
       2-3 p.m. and 3:45-4:45 p.m., “Victorian Dance Lesson” by the Victorian Society of Colorado Springs on the Orchard House lawn (music by Shadow Mountain String Band).
       3:15 p.m., “She Wears the Bloomer” - Julia Archibald Holmes, the first recorded white woman to climb Pikes Peak (Beth Harmon). Location TBD.
       The 230-acre ranch is off Gateway Road, just west of 30th Street.
       For more information, call 578-6781.

Westside Pioneer/press release