Dolores' biggest weekend to begin

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Dolores' biggest weekend to begin

Escalante Days, reunion, music festival planned

By Jim Mimiaga Journal staff writer

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 7:26 PM

The 39th Annual Escalante Days celebration in Dolores is ready to go.

Vendors set up in Flanders Park at noon Friday. .

One of the main events, the 17th annual Escalante Days Mountain Bike Race, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8. The race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dolores, will begin at 9:50 a.m. from Sixth Street and Central Avenue.

There will be three courses with prizes for each class. The expert course is 35 miles, sport course is 21 miles, and the beginner course is 13 miles. All courses ride along Boggy Draw Trail.

The registration fee is $40, and interested riders can register online at www.Active.com until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, or register in person the day of the event between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for $50.

This year's mountain bike race is taking a new route, so the winner in the expert class will take home $1,000 for setting a record time.

Day and night of music

In addition to the traditional events, Dolores River Brewery will host the third annual Escalante Days and Nights music festival, with live music beginning Saturday at 2 p.m. and running through midnight, at the Dolores River Brewery's indoor and outdoor stages 10 bands, 10 hours, $10.

The bands are Brad Sitton, Carcosa, Last Nickel, Michael Pak, Niceness, O & Co., Stanley Maynard McNeil, Sweet Water Station, The Wedding is Off, and Wake Up Laughing.

The five-year reunion

Coinciding with Escalante Days is the Dolores All School Reunion, which celebrates classes dating to before 1939.

The reunion takes place every five years, and all events are open to the public. Organizer Santiago Lopez said more than 350 people have pre-registered, up from 172 in 2010. The reunion's Facebook page states that 863 alumni have been contacted.

Alumni are coming in from all over, including Australia, the Philippines, Alaska, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Arizona.

This year's alumni royalty are Victor Sundquist (Class of 1938), Annabelle Stickle (1939), Ruby Gonzales (1949), Jeanne Smith (1946), and MaryAnn Findley (1965).

Football teams hold fundraisers

Coach James Biard and the middle school football team are joining with the middle school girls basketball team for their fundraising event.

The two teams have had a tree donated to be planted next to the Josh Everin Memorial and will sell raffle tickets, with the chosen winner to have his/her name included on the plaque dedicating the tree.

They will also be raffling off handmade goods included knives, hatchets and a lamp.

The teams will donate part of the money raised to either Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled Veterans Foundation, then the football team will use funds for shoulder pads and the basketball team for shooting shirts.

Coach Chris Trusler and the high school football team will be working at the concession stand at the softball fields in Dolores during the tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

They will be selling baked goods, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks, with money raised going towards new equipment and to aid with the cost of the football fieldhouse renovation.

K-9 fundraiser

There will also be a pancake fundraiser for K9 Search and Rescue on Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the "Dog House" next to the Dolores Fire Station at 35 Railroad Ave. The cost is $5 per plate.

Escalante weekend

The Dolores All School Reunion, Escalante Days, and a Dolores River Brewery music festival all converge Aug. 7-8.
All School Reunion
Friday, Aug. 7
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Registration at Dolores Fire House. Barbecue from 5 p.m. to midnight, cost is $16. Vanishing Breed with fellow alumnus Ellis Miller will provide music entertainment. Bring a lawn chair and jacket.
Saturday, Aug. 8
6 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Registration at K9 Search and Rescue fundraiser pancake breakfast ($5 per person). Takes place at the 'Dog House' next to the Dolores Fire Station.
10 a.m.: Escalante Days parade begins at 10 a.m. Classes are invited to decorate a car, build a float, make sings and show your class spirit.
11 a.m.: Dolores School buildings will be open for everyone to enjoy the senior pictures that adorn the halls. Pamphlets will be available for a self-guided tour of the multi-million dollar science, math, and vocational agriculture building.
1 p.m.: Reunion program begins at the Dolores High School Gymnasium. Awards will be given at this time.
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Open house at the Dolores Community Center for all attendees. There will be a memory table and slide show.
8 p.m. to midnight: A dance at the Dolores Community Center. Cost is $5 per person. Local favorite Ralph Dinosaur will play a variety of music. Alcohol will be served at the BBQ, Open House, and Dance, and IDs are required.
Commemorative Dolores High School, All School Reunion stainless steel mugs will be available for $20 at registration, the BBQ, Open House and dance. Mug holders are given a discount on beer.
More information: Call Santiago at (970) 882-0180.
Escalante Days
Friday, Aug. 7
12 p.m.: Vendor set up in Flanders park
5.30 p.m.: Children's Parade
6 p.m.: Bike Rodeo
7 p.m.: Ice Cream Eating Contest.
Saturday, Aug. 8
6 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast K9 Search and Rescue fundraiser ($5)
7 a.m.: Softball tournament begins (contact Leo at (970) 749-3718 for info)
9 a.m.: Four Corners Community Band
9.50 a.m.: Escalante Days Mountain Bike Race
10 a.m.: Coming Home Parade
11 a.m.: Galloping Goose rides (hourly until 4 p.m.)
11 a.m.: Chainsaw Contest
12 p.m.: Watermelon Eating Contest
12.30 p.m.: Balloon Toss Contest
1 p.m.: Arm Wrestling Contest
2 p.m.: Penny Hunt
2.30 p.m.: 3-legged Race
3 p.m.: Dolores Rotary Raffle Drawing
3:15 p.m.: Stomp Rockets
3.30 p.m.: Kiwanis Duck Race
3.45 p.m.: Egg Toss
Info: Go to www.doloreschamber.com, click events for more information.
Escalante Nights at Dolores River Brewery
Saturday, Aug. 8
2 p.m. to midnight: Inner Orbit Sound system and the DRB presents 10 bands for 10 hours for $10 bucks.
The bands are Brad Sitton, Carcosa, Last Nickel, Michael Pak, Niceness, O & Co., Stanley Maynard McNeil, Sweet Water Station, The Wedding is Off, and Wake Up Laughing.