Visit the Fort to celebrate La Veta’s origins during Francisco Fort Days on July 3oth
Francisco Fort Day in La Veta (306 South Main) has something for everyone! Rain or Shine! Accommodations are being made for rain. All events are free and open to the public.
The day begins at 7:30 am with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the La Veta Methodist Church and serenaded by the Orphan Valley Singers! They are a highlight not to be missed.
Music during the day, The Rambling Rangers at 9:30 and 1, Michael Rael, Questa, NM, singer, and storyteller at 10 and 12, the Red Wing Rustlers at 11 and 2, Ken Saydak, on the piano in the 1880 Saloon at 2:30. The band Destino will round out the day with music on Francisco Street.
Demonstrators and historical characters include Mountain Man Michael the Woodman Briscoe at 9 and 11:30, John Carson, Kit Carson’s great-grandson, at 10:30 and 12:30, and Will Prator, Buck skinner, in the plaza. Demonstrations by Mike Kerner in the Blacksmith Shop, David Steffen making adobe bricks, and Teresa Vigil giving information on local herbs and plants. Lectures by Ken Valles on cattle drives at 10 and 2, Bob Kennemer, local naturalist at 12:00, and the history of the Fort’s musical instruments with David Enke at 1:30. There will be demonstrations on braiding sweet grass and a historical picture pop-up museum, so bring your photographic treasures.
Vendors include the Tenorio’s from Santa Domingo Pueblo, Frog Hollow Brooms from Weston and other local southern Colorado crafters, bakers, and growers. Food provided by Mario the Corn Master and Abomb hotdogs. Kettlekorn and other treats.
Kids! A scavenger hunt through the museum, the kid corral with balloon sculptures, face painting and crafts for all interests, make a yarn doll or leather key chain to take home. Learn how to grind corn with a mano and a matate. Games include bean bag toss, a pinata, chicken poop bingo and a duck race.
Francisco Fort Day is a long-standing tradition in La Veta and this year is supported by The Friends of the Museum, the Huajatolla Heritage Festival and Foundation, the Colorado Creative District, the Methodist Church of La Veta, the La Veta Public Library, the La Veta Mercantile and the Town of La Veta. Come to Francisco Fort Day and see where history and creativity live in La Veta. Life’s too short not to be at the Fort!
Performers on Stage in Plaza (In case of rain-alternate location La Veta Mercantile)
7:30 to 9:30 Pancake Breakfast and Orphan Valley Singers
8:00 Fort Open
9:00 Michael Briscoe, Mountain Man Stories
9:30 Rambling Rangers, Band
10:00 Michael Rael, Singer and Story Teller
10:30 John Carson, The Story of Kit Carson
11:00 Red Wing Rustlers, Band
11:30 Michael Briscoe
12:00 Michael Rael
12:30 John Carson
1:00 Ramblin Rangers
1:30 SouthWest Dancers
2:00 Red Wing Rustlers 2:30
2:30 Ken Saydak on the piano in Saloon
3:00 SouthWest Dancers
3:30 to 6:00 pm Destino Band on Francisco Street
The Library 10:00 am & 230 pm Ken Valles, The Origin of the Cattle Drive 12:00 to 1:00 pm Bob Kennemer, Edible, Medicinal, Useful and Dangerous Plants of the Spanish Peaks. and 1:30 to 2:15 pm Dave Enke F Fort instruments
On-going Sandy Dolak -Pop-up Museum, personal historic photos Teresa Vigil-Herbalist, etc... Charlene Velarde, Braiding Sweet Grass, Ribbon Dresses Mike Kerner--in Blacksmith Shop Will Prator--Mountain Man-Buck Skinner in Plaza Dave Steffen--Adobe West Wing
Kid's activities in Merc Patio: Sharona Whitely, Brittany Yepson face painting, balloon sculptures, yarn dolls, leather key rings, yarn dolls, etc... Corn Grinding on Matates Chicken Poop Bingo Two times during the day Duck Race Race Early Afternoon
Food--Mario and Abomb Hotdogs, Kettle Corn all day long