DEL NORTE— “Preserving Our Western Ways” is the theme for this year’s Del Norte Covered Wagon Days. The celebration will begin on Thursday, Aug. 3 and continue until Sunday, Aug. 6.
According to the dictionary, to preserve is to keep alive or in existence. Many of the events planned for the weekend are to keep alive the history of the Del Norte area.
The famous Biscuit Throw that kicks off the parade every year is an actual historical event of Del Norte. In the late 1800s, the Windsor Hotel offered accommodations to the miners when they came down from the mountains. Historians say that these miners, who had not yet found their gold, used biscuits as wagers in their poker games. One of these friendly games turned into a fight and the miners started throwing biscuits, among other things, at each other. The fight spilled out into the street and shots were fired. No one seems to know if anyone was hurt, but the story is always fun to tell. Spectators, near Columbia Street on Grande Avenue, will be treated to a re-enactment of the Biscuit Throw at approximately 9:55 a.m.
The entries in the annual parade are always a mix of old and new. From covered wagons to hot rods, old folks to young folks, horses to motorcycles, the parade has something for everyone. It might be some candy or just a memory, but it is to be enjoyed by all.

“Hayride into History” is a moving history lesson. Attendees will ride on a wagon through the town of Del Norte with a guide describing the history of many of the old buildings. Louise Colville, Rio Grande County Museum director, and the late Mark Jones, among others, have complied the information on the town. The tour will depart from the lot across the street from the Rio Grande County Museum at 12:30 p.m.
The big tent located east of Jack’s Market on Highway 160 will be the site for more preserved history. Although, not exclusive to the West, farm equipment is a big part of the history of our country and of Del Norte. The San Luis Valley Antique Iron Club will be showing off their restored tractors, farm equipment, and other antique iron. They are scheduled to have a tractor pull starting at 1 p.m.
Also at the big tent is the mountain man encampment. They will doing a Dutch Oven cooking demonstration starting at 1 p.m. among other activities.
The Seven Falls Native Dancers will be performing in the big tent at 2 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. This group from Colorado Springs is preserving the culture of their ancestors by teaching the native dance to each upcoming generation. The colorful costumes and intricate dance steps should mesmerize all who watch them.
The Rio Grande County Museum will be hosting a program on the Bunker Site at 2 p.m. at the museum. According to Colville “the Bunker Site is a 16-acre area that was discovered several years ago by ranchers, Bob and Shirley Bunker. It is located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristos on the east fork of the Old Spanish Trail. Excavation and research have revealed that the site may have been used for over a thousand years.”
The museum’s featured artist for the summer is Wade Collins. His paintings and sculptures that “are actual life experiences and his art work is a way of keeping the memories. He celebrates his life with his art and enjoys a life style that the rest of us may only dream.” Collins will be at the museum throughout the day on Saturday.
There are many more activities planned for Covered Wagon Days. For a full schedule of events, go to www.coveredwagondays.com.