Dust, smoke and history

Visitors and locals alike lined Main Avenue on Saturday morning for a long-standing tradition – the Durango Fiesta Days parade, celebrating its 79th year.

Along with the march, the weekend kicked off a rodeo series and the 10th annual La Plata County Cowbelles ChuckWagon Cookoff, where contestants prepared meals for 70 people.

Before the procession, Miss Adelaide Carson of Miss Goodies’ Can Can Revue was ready to strut her stuff against the backdrop of downtown’s historic hotels. In full Victorian garb, Miss Carson – aka Jennifer Craig, a local marketer – said she loves to entertain, celebrating the history of Durango while doing so.

The ladies perform re-enactments of saloon-girl dancing – their handmade attire taking up to 90 hours to make.

“People don’t dress like this anymore, and that’s what Fiesta Days is all about,” Craig said, primping feathers in her hair and waving ruffles of her skirt. “It’s cowboy tradition of those Wild West days.”

Soon, the La Plata County Mounted Patrol trotted by the crowds on their steeds, an American flag held high.

From a canvas-covered wagon led by two stout Clydesdale horses, La Plata County sheriff candidate Sean Smith tried out a make-do sheriff’s star pinned to the lapel of his long, dark overcoat.

“I think this is about the heritage of La Plata County,” Smith said, double-barreled shotgun in hand. “We’re trying to tie people in to how (Durango) started.”

Cindi Brevik, president of the Fiesta Days committee, called it 79 years of history.

“It’s important,” she said. “Our lives have become so fast anymore. It’s important to slow down, look around and take in the history of a particular place.”

At the county fairgrounds, dust lifted as rodeo riders began saddle broncin’, calf ropin’ and bulldoggin’; while next door at the Senior Center, chuck wagon chefs were busy at their kitchens – shaded, outdoor wagons, wood fires and iron kettles. Camp smoke hung in the trees.

Sam Howell’s beans had been cooking since 10 a.m.; his recipe evolves. His 40 pounds – each – of meat and potatoes take all afternoon to cook. Howell, of Odessa, Texas, said true chuck wagons cooked for about a dozen.

“But they didn’t eat nearly as good,” he said. “Occasionally, they’d have meat, but that was salted bacon more than anything.”

Families or friends, many dressed their part – a nod to earlier days.

“To find out where you’re going,” said parade and rodeo announcer Brett Wellden, “you’ve got to know where you’ve been.”

bmathis@durangoherald.com

Today’s events

Events take place at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. For more information, call 749-4960 or visit http://durangofiestadays.com.

9 a.m. Cowboy Church will be held at the fairgrounds’ grandstands.

10 a.m. Pancake breakfast.

1 p.m. Championship rodeo performance.

The Rough Stock Challenge will immediately follow the rodeo.