Staff Report
The 73rd annual Los Alamos Valley Old Days Celebration is set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29, when both residents and visitors celebrate Los Alamos’ historic Western culture.
Highlights include Friday evening’s chili cook-off dinner, a two-day Peddler’s Market and Artisan Faire, and Sunday morning’s “Greatest Little Small Town Parade.”
The celebration is sponsored by the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, a nonprofit organization of men, women and families dedicated to preserving the town’s unique Western character and hospitality. To learn more about this organization or Los Alamos Valley Old Days Celebration, visit www.LAVMC.org.
Friday, Sept. 27
5 – 9 p.m.: Old Days Kick-off/Chili Cook-off Dinner and Silent Auction. Enjoy chili, corn bread and all of the fixings prepared by local restaurants and Santa Ynez Valley chefs. The silent auction will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. and proceeds will benefit local youth and families. A full-service bar will open at 5 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. The event will take place at the Men’s Club at 429 Leslie Street in downtown Los Alamos.
Saturday, Sept. 28
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Old Days Classic Car Show. Vintage cars, hot rods, race cars and many more will be featured on Bell Street (Highway 135) in downtown Los Alamos. Information and entry forms are available at www.LAVMC.org.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Peddlers’ Mart, Artisan Faire and Food Booths. Booths selling hand-made artwork, collectibles and much more will line Bell Street. Information and entry forms are available at www.LAVMC.org.
3 p.m.: Cow Pie Bingo. Spectators can watch to find out where a cow will “do its ’do’” on a bingo board, and the winner will be awarded a $500 cash prize. There are 222 spaces available for $20 each, which can be purchased in advance. The event will be held on the corner of Bell Street and St. Joseph Street. For more information, call Shirley Williams at 805-478-0789.
6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.:Tri-Tip Dinner and Dance. Tri-tip beef barbecue will be served until 9 p.m., followed by dancing and live music by the T-Bone Ramblers. A full-service bar will be available as well. Tickets at the door will cost $25 for dinner and dancing and $15 for just the dance. The event will take place at the Men’s Club at 429 Leslie Street in downtown Los Alamos.
Sunday, Sept. 29
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Peddler’s Mart, Artisan Faire and Food Booths. Booths selling hand-made artwork, collectibles and much more will line Bell Street. Information and entry forms are available at www.LAVMC.org.
9:30 a.m.: “Stampede” 5K Run/Walk. Registration will take place in Ferrini Park from 8 – 9:15 a.m. There is an entry fee of $25 per runner and all proceeds benefit local youth sports. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in seven divisions and trophies will be awarded to the first overall finishers.
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.: Non-denominational worship service. Rev. Warren Einolander from the Cottonwood Community Fellowship in Los Alamos will lead the service in Ferrini Park. All ages are welcome.
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: “Greatest Little Small Town Parade.” The parade will start at the corner of Bell Street (Highway 135) and Augusta Street, travel west down Bell Street and end at the intersection of St. Joseph Street. Equestrians, bands, floats and other community groups, including the 2019 Old Days Grand Marshals, Shelia Glaser and John Taller, will be featured. Apply at www.LAVMC.orgby Sept. 17 or contact Mary Anne Christensen at maclosalamos@aol.comor 805-344-4064 for more information.
12:15 – 2:30 p.m.: Tri-Tip Beef Barbecue. The barbecue will feature Santa Maria-style oak-grilled beef, beans, bread, locally made salsa and a full service bar. Tickets will be available at the door and cost $12 for adults and $10 for seniors 55 years or older and children under 10 years old. The event will take place at the Men’s Club at 429 Leslie St. in downtown Los Alamos.
3 p.m.: Chicken Poop Bingo Finale. Spectators can bet and watch to find out where three chickens will “do their ’do’” for three rounds to win cash prizes. There are 512 spaces available for $5 each, which can be purchased in advance. The event will be held in Ferrini Park. For more information, contact Sheryl Woods at lavsc@yahoor.comor 805-588-7421.
5 p.m.: Celebration concludes.
