VALLEY — From memorial services to train rides and theatre to museum openings, the San Luis Valley offers a multitude of activities this Memorial Day weekend.

Stay in the San Luis Valley and enjoy pleasant weather, great events and socializing with friends. The weekend temperatures are predicted to be in the 70’s all weekend long. Temperatures are predicted at 79 and 78 on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and 74 and 73 on Sunday and Monday, respectively. No precipitation is expected throughout the weekend, from Friday through Monday, with sunny skies shining down on the weekend’s events throughout the Valley.

In addition to the events below, many Valley schools are hosting graduation ceremonies this weekend.

Following are many of the events occurring throughout the Valley this year from Fort Garland to Creede and Antonito to Saguache:

Alamosa service

ALAMOSA — The American Legion will host a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 28, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Alamosa Cemetery, followed by services at the Spanish Cemetery and a potluck at 12 p.m. noon at the Legion. Bring a favorite dish to share.

Homelake service

MONTE VISTA — The Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake will host a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at 3749 Sherman Ave., Monte Vista, with Honor and Color Guards, USS General Patrick Bell Tolling, wreath presentations, Ft. Garland Memorial Regiment and keynote speaker Patricia Robertson.

Cinnamon rolls will be served following the observance in the Old Dining Room.

The Homelake History Center and Museum will be open following the service until 1:30 p.m.

Saguache museum opens

SAGUACHE — The Saguache County Museum celebrates 60 years with a variety of events from a parade to barbecue on Sunday, May 27.

The day’s events will begin with breakfast from 7-11 a.m. at Otto Mears Park in Saguache, with pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee for $5.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. in downtown Saguache on Fourth Street with Grand Marshalls Virginia Sutherland, Mary Morffit and Sarah Simmeth. The theme this year is “Diamonds Are Forever.” Banner carriers are the MTV cheerleaders. Call Lynn at 256-4279 for parade information.

Lunch will be served from 12-2 p.m. featuring barbecue pork sandwiches prepared by Bull in the Woods Grill Masters Joe and Trish Gilbert. Cost is $8 a plate. Hot dogs will also be available for $5 a plate complete with lots of fixings.

Vendors will be set up in the Otto Mears Park. Call Helen at 221-1195 for vendor information.

The Saguache County Museum will open from 8:30-11 a.m. and reopen after the parade from 12-4 p.m., with admission $7 for adults and $1 for children under age 12. See the new exhibit featuring an authentically restored sheep wagon by Barbara Maat and the memorial case honoring the sheep industry.

Also, check out Trish Gilbert’s display of wildlife photos at the Hazard House.

CRT opens

CREEDE — Creede Repertory Theatre will open its 2018 season on Friday, May 25th, with Neil Simon’s classic romantic comedy “Barefoot in the Park.”

Don’t miss Creede Rep fan-favorites Caitlin Wise (Kind of Red), Dustin Bronson (Around the World in 80 Days), Logan Ernstthal (Arsenic and Old Lace) and, of course, Christy Brandt who has been acting for CRT for more than 40 years, as they bring this delightful time-honored story to life.

Corie (Wise) is a romantic free spirit. Paul (Bronson) is a conservative young lawyer. This classic romantic comedy follows these six-day-old newlyweds as their dream marriage and five-story walk-up apartment fall apart in front of their very eyes. This hilarious and profoundly touching 1963 play by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Neil Simon explores universal questions about love, compatibility and relationships. Sometimes unpacking the emotional baggage is the biggest move of all.

Directed by Michael Perlman, the play is rated PG for mild language

For more information, tickets, and show times, visit creederep.org or call (719) 658-2540.

Taste of Creede

CREEDE — The 30th Annual Taste of Creede Event will be held May 26-28.

On Saturday the main street of Creede will be blocked off and painters will be painting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Silver Chef Competition will be at 2 p.m. on Main Street, pitting local chefs against one another in a cook-off to create a winning dish; at 4 p.m. the Creede Arts Council hosts the opening of the 15th Annual National Small Print Exhibition at the Creede Repertory Theatre; at 7:30 p.m. the Creede Repertory Theatre will feature the play “Barefoot in the Park”.

Enjoy live music and entertainers, craft vendors, food tastings, art, children’s activities, museum tours, sidewalk and sales all day on Saturday.

On Sunday at artists will be working from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; at 1 p.m. a host of artists will participate in the “Quick Draw,” giving them an hour to complete one-of-a-kind works, with art auctioned off at 2:30 p.m.

Jan Thompson has been selected as the Honored Guest Artist for the 30th Annual Taste of Creede Event. Jan is a nationally known painter who has participated in this venue since the early days. She and her husband John own and operate the Loverings Gallery in Creede. Jan will be painting on the main street of Creede both days of the festival. The 30th Anniversary T-Shirt features her painting of a view of the Commodore Mines.

On Monday, May 28, at 11 a.m. will be a Memorial Day service in Basham Park honoring local veterans.

Contact the Creede Chamber at 719-658-2374 or see www.creede.com/taste-of-creede

Fort Garland

encampment

FORT GARLAND — Fort Garland Museum will hold its annual living history military encampment on Memorial Day weekend, May 26 and 27. 

Throughout the weekend the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment and the Artillery Company of New Mexico will present activities and displays that depict 19th century garrison life at Fort Garland. 

All day Saturday the ladies of the garrison will be gathered in the Soldier’s Theatre demonstrating 19th century domestic arts and they invite all to join them for a cup of tea and conversation. On Saturday night at 8 p.m. there will be a Regimental Ball open to the public. Participants must be attired in period costume.    

Sunday morning at 9 a.m. there will be a flag raising ceremony followed by a non-denominational service in the Soldiers Theatre.

The event ends Sunday at 1 p.m.    

Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $3.50 children (6-15) and free to children under age 6, CHS members and active military and their families. 

For more information call Fort Garland Museum at 719-379-3512.

Also, please note that the Pike Stockade, which is also under the jurisdiction of the Fort Garland Museum and normally opens on Memorial Day weekend, will be closed for the 2018 season. Spring winds blew down trees at the site and one of them hit the stockade causing much damage. Repairs to the stockade, clean up and an assessment of trees that remain standing will all need to be made before it can reopen to the public. For more information please call Fort Garland Museum at 719-379-3512.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

ANTONITO — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the highest, longest and most authentic steam railroad in America, will begin its 48th season on Saturday, May 26. 

The 64-mile railroad, which is owned by the people of Colorado and New Mexico, will have rare double-headed trains (trains pulled by two steam locomotives) departing from both Antonito and Chama, New Mexico for the gala opening day. Regularly scheduled trains will continue to depart from both stations daily through October 21.

The Cumbres & Toltec is a National Historic Landmark on wheels that follows 64 miles of tracks that cross the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times, skirting along canyon walls through Toltec Gorge, burrowing through two tunnels, climbing to 10,015-foot high Cumbres Pass and steaming over Cascade Trestle 137-feet above a roaring river. Full day trips include a delicious hot lunch at scenic Osier Station.

Festivities at Antonito, where engines No. 315 and No. 463 will pull the train on May 26 at 9 a.m. will include:

·  A Navajo Nation blessing by Spiritual Leader Harry Sandoval Jr., from the Albuquerque Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

·  Festive Los Vecinos Balidores Folklorico Dancers

·  Famed singer Chris Collins doing a tribute of John Denver songs

·  A color guard from the Conejos County Veteran’s Affairs Office

·  Free coffee and donuts

Originally built in 1880 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western, the railroad was saved from extinction in 1969 when the states of Colorado and New Mexico stepped in and purchased it from bankruptcy to be operated as an historic landmark.

Trains depart from two stations daily and there are nine different ticket options. Special trains include sunset dinner rides, Fourth of July firework trains, a geology train, a Wildflower Express, and others. See www.cumbrestoltec.com.

Sangre De Cristo Museum opens

SAN LUIS — The Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center, San Luis, will open on Saturday, May 26, at 10 a.m. to begin its summer hours. The museum’s summer schedule is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  A donation of $4 for adults and $2 for children is suggested for admission. The museum can accommodate special group tours. Appointments may be made by calling 719-672-0999.

Restoration and rehabilitation will begin July 1 on the Carlos Beaubien Theater and the new Community Kitchen. These projects will be finished by December 31. Construction work will not affect museum operations.

The Sangre de Cristo is still looking for volunteers to assist in reception work at the museum. Training will be provided. Please call 719-672-0999 to volunteer.

Mini Music Festival at Wildwood

DEL NORTE — Wildwood Sounds, 850 Grande Ave., Del Norte, presents Mini Music Festival IX 2018, a fundraiser, on Saturday, May 26 at 1 p.m. Doors open at noon. Tickets are $25. Call 657-4757 or see wildwoodsounds.com.

This is the event that truly helps keep the doors open and great music coming. This will be Wildwood’s 18th year hosting music.  This year there will be seven different acts, some local and some from out of town but for sure an entertaining day of potluck sharing, music listening, friendly conversation and hopefully, perfect weather for outdoor and indoor stages.   

Ticket price is $25 plus a potluck dish (main course, side dish, salad or dessert.)  Everyone, even the musicians, bring food. Doors open at 12 p.m. noon and music starts at 1 p.m. Donors can now make a tax-free donation. Call for more information, 719-657-4757. 

Musicians include: Winner of the South West Indie Award for Best Folk Song in 2016 Robin James whose musical style is influenced by the Blues, Alternative, and Country music and whose vocal range has been termed acrobatic; guitarist and composer Michael Delalla whose compositions and arrangements of traditional tunes are steeped with his classical training and seasoned with his jazz, Celtic and folk stylings; Blue Sky, a four-piece group in the genre of Rock, Country Rock and Blues who perform original and popular songs; Manitou Springs duo The Mitguards who play primarily original folk and roots based Americana music; Charlie Milo Trio, a band featuring a mix of rock, funk, jazz, blues, and roots music; modern folk husband-and-wife duo Moody Little Sister performing New Folk for the American West; and Waverly Rd., a new band with a long history, with members playing together over the last 20 years featuring a mix of Americana, Rock & Roll, Blues & Folk.

Swimming pools

ALAMOSA — Splashland, just north of Alamosa on Highway 17, opens this weekend. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with regular hours the remainder of the season.

HOOPER — The Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park, just north of Hooper about 20 miles north of Alamosa off Highway 17, is operating under its summer hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Thursdays when the pool is closed for cleaning.

Shrine Circus

MONTE VISTA — Just past the Memorial Day weekend, on Tuesday, May 29 at Ski Hi Park in Monte Vista the Shrine Circus will have performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost is $5 for children and $10 for adults. Purchase at door or in Alamosa at Ace Hardware, Best Little Meat House, City Market, Monterey Café, Rio Grande Savings and Loan, Safeway and Southern Peaks Library; in Center at Center Auto Parts, El Azteca, First Southwest Bank, Gunbarrel Station, I & F Supply, Jones Oil, K&J Thriftway, and Town of Center; in Monte Vista at Chamber of Commerce, Rocky Mountain Plumbing Supplies, Safeway and Top Value Grocery; in Del Norte at Jack’s Market; and in South Fork at Rainbow Grocery.

Caption: Artist Jan Thompson’s painting of a view of the Commodore Mines is featured on the Taste of Creede 30th Anniversary T-Shirt./Courtesy artwork