Events aplenty at Westside venues in September-October

Events aplenty at Westside venues in September-October

A scorecard (or at least this newspaper) might be needed to keep track of all the festive Westside events in September and October.

For the second summer, the Pikes Peak Blues Community presented its Paint the Town Blue concerts in Thorndale Park. The free shows typically drew a few hundred people, with donations requested. The scene above was observed during a band break in July.

Westside Pioneer photo

       Below are capsule summaries. Check the Pioneer's Westside Happenings (Page 9) for times, contact numbers, costs (if any) and other details.
       Sept. 1, 8, 15 and 22 - “Music on the Mesa” concert series at Gold Hill Mesa. A different genre each week. Free.
       Sept. 3 - Vintage “base ball” game. On the hay field at the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a team of ranch volunteers (“aided” by suffragettes and one or more former U.S. presidents) plays a Canon City opponent, using 1800s baseball rules. Admission fee to ranch.

Shoppers in the Pikes Peak Farmers Market in July stroll past vendors' stalls between the center of Bancroft Park and the northwest corner of Colorado Avenue and 24th Street (background). Continuing into late October, the summer-Saturdays market has been experiencing another successful season, according to lead organizer Frank Schmidt, with up to 50 vendors at times.

Westside Pioneer photo

Sept. 9 - Komen Race for the Cure (5K walk/run as breast cancer fundraiser), through the Garden of the Gods. Attracts well over a thousand participants, with the main activities in the Rock Ledge Ranch parking area. Fee for participants.
       Sept. 14-16 - Folk Art Festival. Under large tents at Rock Ledge Ranch, 160-some crafters from around the country offer their wares. A major Rock Ledge fundraiser, organized by Old Colorado City's Holly Berry House. Admission fee.
       Sept. 15 - Haunted Histories of Old Colorado City. Evening event by the Old Colorado City Historical Society in Fairview Cemetery, with actors “ghosting” deceased West-siders, often beside their tombstones. Fee for tour.
       Sept. 22 - Aspens on the Avenue. A daytime version of the First Friday ArtWalks (April-December), including artist demonstrations at participating shops/galleries. Organized by the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA). Free.
       Sept. 22 - Intertribal Powwow. Highlights American Indian culture, including dancers and drummers from many areas. Organized by area tribes with the Rock Ledge Ranch Living History Association. Admission fee.
       Sept. 23 - Taste of OCC. Fundraiser by the Old Colorado City Foundation, featuring live band and food/alcoholic-drink sampling in Bancroft Park. Admission fee.
       Oct. 6 - Coronado High School Homecoming Parade. The avenue will be closed between 30th Street and Bancroft Park for marchers, floats and bands. Beforehand, in the park, is a breakfast fundraiser. Free.
       Oct. 6 - Carnegie Day Ice Cream Social. Ice cream giveaway after the parade, outside the Old Colorado City Carnegie Library, in honor of Andrew Carnegie, whose 1904 donation made the building possible. Free.
       Oct. 6 - Harvest Festival. Activities in the fall-harvest theme at Rock Ledge Ranch include pumpkin-choosing, historic house tours and old-time children's games. Free ranch admission, with fee for some activities.
       Oct. 13 - Fossil Day. Inspired by a dinosaur whose bones have been found only in the area of the Garden of the Gods. The GoG Visitor & Nature Center offers presentations, activities and fossils. identification. Free.
       Oct. 20 - Giant Pumpkin Festival. A weigh-off of some of the state's biggest pumpkins, plus other Old Town activities, sponsored by the OCCA. Free.
       Oct. 31 - Safe Treats. Old Colorado City merchants welcome trick-or-treaters to their stores; also, activities in Old Town Plaza. Free.
       Continuing (Saturdays) - Farmers Market and Old Colorado City Historical Society craft fair.

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