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Southwest Life Health And the West is History Community Travel

And the West is History: Spanish Trails Fiesta Parade – 1962

During the 1950s and into the 1970s, Durango’s Spanish Trails Fiesta parade was so popular it was held on both Saturday and Sunday during the annual August event. Most area high schools sent marching bands, as did a number of service organizations and neighboring tribal communities. One of the most popular participants was the American Legion Post 28 Drum and Bugle Corps, known as the Goldenaires. They are seen here in the distance, nearing the corner of Main Avenue and 12th Street. State champions eight years in a row, they also competed nationally, finishing as high as 10th place in 1956. They disbanded in 1965 after 16 years of performing. The World War II era veterans were becoming older, and many were unable to keep up with the demands of constant practice and marching. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 23.09.7 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)