DEL NORTE — Rio Grande County Museum will celebrate Covered Wagon Days Aug. 3 with the annual ice cream social along with opening new exhibits on Del Norte, Monte Vista, Ski Hi Stampede, wood working tools and toys.  High Valley Community Center students have helped to arrange the exhibits as part of the community services that the center provides.  The museum is grateful for the help that they have given this summer.

The ice cream social starts immediately after the parade on Saturday continues through the afternoon.  Donations are accepted as part of the fund raising that the nonprofit Rio Grande County Museum, Inc. does to help provide services for the museum.  There is no admission on Aug. 3.  This is a great opportunity to visit the museum, eat ice cream and visit with friends and relatives.  The patio will be open for those who wish to be outside. 

The book store will also be open and is stocked with new books, jewelry by Patty Poage, crocheted items by Jean Hanna and Judy Nicolais and greeting cards and prints by Sharon Edward.  The Pioneers of the Territory of Southern Colorado series of books by the members of the Territorial Daughters is available.  Volumes II through VI are available.  The book store sales also help to support the museum.

The San Luis Valley Quilt Guild will be showing quilts with the museum starting July 30 through Aug. 10.  They will be selling quilt blocks for $10 on Aug. 2 and 3 to help with their charity projects.

The Rio Grande County Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday except on special event days.  For more in-formation, please contact the museum at (719)-657-2847 or check out our Face-book page.  The museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, just south of the stoplight.