A celebration of local history takes place in downtown Salida this weekend as Salida Heritage Days starts Friday. The three-day event, September 27-29, 2019 focuses on building community through history education and an “alcohol-free” way for locals and visitors to enjoy the past and present Salida.
A Victorian lady waits in the lobby of the Palace Hotel. Photo by Jenny Wright
The celebration is piloted by Steve Chapman, who also heads the walking history tours in the area. Chapman “wanted to create a true family-friendly event” that celebrates a personal connection to local history. Chapman says he feels that Salida’s history is often overlooked and has not been given its due.
He explains that the 139-year history of the city has all the adventure and intrigue that surrounding cities boast and that there has not been an opportunity for this history to be presented in an enjoyable, comprehensive way. Chapman’s concept for this event is to abandon the traditional idea of having a central location with booths and vendors.
Instead, Salida Heritage Days has events all over downtown, which are hosted by local businesses. In doing so, attendees will have the opportunity to shop and explore these businesses along with enjoying the presentations and demonstrations.
Friday kicks off the festival with Chapman’s Salida Walking Tours offering a Wild West History Tour, which carries a cost of $20.00.
At 3 p.m. Friday, a live demonstration of a 1919 Chandler and Price 10-by-15, hand-cranked platen printing press takes place at the Book Haven and is free to the public.
The 146 Taproom is hosting a meet and greet and then a costume party and music. On Sunday there is a community picnic in Alpine Park which features old-fashioned favorites like sack races, stick horse races, a pie baking contest, and an apple cider press demonstration. For the full schedule and more information, visit www.salidaheritagedays.com or drop by the event’s information center at the Salida Palace Hotel, located at 204 N. F St.
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