craigdailypress.com

The "old west" tradition conjures images of muscular horses ridden by trail-worn cowboys working large herds of dusty cattle, women with narrow waists wearing wide skirts and guns hanging overtly on nearly every man's hip.

Capturing that spirit is the goal of organizers of the 14th annual Grand Olde West Days. The three-day Memorial weekend celebration is packed with activities meant to honor the work of those who settled the West and to give people a taste of what it might have been like.

"The area has a history of ranching and people who worked the land and were rugged individuals. It's a celebration of that spirit," said Carol Wilson, owner of Neolithics and one of the event's organizers.

Advertising for the event this year included an ad in "American Cowboy" magazine, which generated nearly 50 calls for more information. It was a move that Wilson thinks will draw more attention to the event and help it to spread its influence beyond Northwest Colorado residents.

The event was started to help celebrate the opening of the Museum of Northwest Colorado -- hence the "grand old West" theme.

It grew to include three days worth of events that range from sidewalk sales to the popular bull riding event.

"That's always very popular," Wilson said. "We get a full gallery.

"It's amazing how many people come duded up in Western wear ready to watch some bull riding."

Tickets for Saturday's bull riding event are $12 in advance and are available at the Craig Chamber of Commerce, Timberworks or Neolithics. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 at the gate.

The weekend kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday when professional motorcyclists ride into town for the Warrior Classic Motorcycle Freestyle. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds for this extreme event and tickets are $8 each.

The event will be followed by a dance at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion.

Wilson said the response to the annual parade has hit an all-time high. There are more than 50 entries.

"We hope there's going to be people on the sidelines, so many have been calling left and right to sign up."

This year's parade theme is "The Grand Old West -- Then and Now."

Parade organizer Jackie Chase said there are a variety of entries including horses, floats and cars. Alice Riley will be riding her horse in the parade, holding a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol for Grand Olde West Days at the request of U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard.

Monday's events will all take place downtown.

Two blocks of Yampa Avenue will be closed off to traffic allowing residents to wander among the food and craft vendors that will be set up. There will be music at Alice Pleasant Park, historical re-enactments at the museum and food galore.

"It's a fun thing to come to," Wilson said. "People get excited when there's a big gathering, the street's closed and there's music and the scents of decadent food fill your nostrils."

The event is nine months in the planning -- organized by members of Craig's Downtown Business Association.

Volunteers are needed to help clean up following Monday's activities.

"We can always use help at the end of the day," Wilson said. "Most folks are petty darn tired and are ready to go home."

Coinciding with the GOWD celebration will be a four-day Brown's Amusement Company carnival sponsored by the Craig Chamber of Commerce.

Carnival hours are from 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Friday, from 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday and from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday.

Advance tickets are available at the Craig Chamber of Commerce and are selling fast.

"Today's been a steady stream of people and it's going to get busier," Craig Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Vanatta said.

All-you-can-ride tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.