By Lyndsie Ferrell
DEL NORTE— Del Norte has non-stop fun planned for the coming weekend with their annual Covered Wagon Days festival. This year’s theme honors the women of Del Norte’s history, bringing to light all of the ladies that made the town what it is today. The weekend kicks off Thursday night with a Quit Show at Kathy’s Fabric Truck that will run throughout the weekend. Be sure to stop in to see some magnificent works of art in fabric form.
Later that evening will be the annual “Meet your Neighbor” potluck at 6 p.m. at the River Valley Inn Nursing home. Come meet the community with this fun and interactive event that not only showcases homemade recipes but allows guests to interact with neighbors and friends. River Valley Inn is pleased to host this year’s event and invites the community to come and tour the home, meet the staff and say hello to those who call River Valley Inn their home.
Friday night at 6 p.m., come out and enjoy some amazing BBQ with a pig roast at the big tent next to Jack’s Market on Highway 160 benefitting by the San Luis Valley veterans. There will be live entertainment provided by Fred Hargrove and Odin Dean.
Saturday is packed with events for the entire family as Del Norte prepares to honor the women of the West in the annual parade. The day starts off early with the annual Del Norte Library Book Sale beginning at 7 a.m. The sale is the library’s only fundraising event and all proceeds go to the library to help purchase new books, update computer equipment and pay for activities offered by the library. The library is 103 years old this year and has come a long way in the last two years.
Also beginning at 7 a.m. is the Val Alto Pancake Breakfast at the High Valley Community Center. The Bee’s Knees 5K walk and run kicks off at 7:30 a.m. taking participants from the High Valley Community Center up around D Mountain and back to Del Norte.
At 8 a.m. the annual pie sale will begin at the Ruth Marie Center where people can come and purchase pies with proceeds going to activities held at the center.
The parade kicks off with opening ceremonies on Grande Avenue at 10 a.m., and the annual Del Norte Fire Department BBQ lunch starts immediately after at the fire house on Grande Avenue. All proceeds go to help with training and equipment costs for the department.
While out enjoying the day and everything there is to do, don’t forget to swing into the Rio Grande County Museum to learn about the Women of the West and enjoy an ice cream social that begins at 11 a.m.
There is something for everyone this weekend; a full list of activities can be found at www.coveredwagondays.com. Come on out and join in on the fun!