Territory Days

It was Memorial Day recently. It was originally called Decoration Day, and is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. It is celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer for many people. Here in Old Colorado City, Memorial Day weekend is the weekend of Territory Days fair.

Territory Days began in 1975 as the "Rampart Range Sertoma Territory Days Parade and Buffalo Barbeque". In 1976 the named was changed to Territory Days to commemorate Old Colorado City as the first capitol of the Colorado Territory in 1861. Territory Days has grown from a small neighborhood craft fair into a three-day street festival which now hosts over 180 craft, commercial and food booths. Between 80,000 and 150,000 guests, (depending on the weather), enjoy this event every Memorial weekend.

It was a nice warm day and we were lucky we found parking quite easily. It certainly felt like the start of summer for us :)

Hubby was happy he found roasted Turkey Leg for his lunch

And roast corn

Rounded up with a root beer float and croissants for Mommy from the French bakery (not really a summer fair food, but I like it!)



Aiden was happy he was finally let out of the stroller :)



Mommy getting lassoed by a Cowboy

Fun aside, do we really remember why we are having this holiday? Not so much for us. It was a day off for Daddy. I asked Kathryn about it and she did correctly say that it was in memory of the soldiers that died in wars for us. I should find a way to celebrate this holiday. Hmm...