I was at the wheel, driving peacefully through a long, uninteresting desert landscape when suddenly my husband yelled “Oh CRAP!” I slammed on the brakes yelling “What, WHAT?” while looking around frantically for whatever it was I must have been about to run over on the empty stretch of road. “I forgot my glasses!” As I tried to get my breathing and heart rate back under control, I asked, “Didn’t you put all your accessories out before we packed?” He was of course, talking about the period-correct glasses that he had planned to wear for the upcoming costume competition. It wouldn’t be until after our arrival in Yuma for a two-day re-enactment event that I would realize that I had also forgotten to pack a vital part of my costume – my bustle!

All the Recollections blog talk about packing period clothes brought this incident back to mind, as we are once again preparing to travel from Prescott, Arizona to Durango, Colorado for their annual Durango Heritage Celebration. This three-day event will take place October 11 – 13 this year, and 2012 will mark our third time to attend this event. Chairperson Suzanne Parker plans variations in each year’s activities, and while the lovely “last dinner on board the Titanic”, and the Grand Victorian ball have filled completely, other activities still have room. The Brunch and Fashion show require

Sheriff Thompson

tickets and some are still available, and there are still seats available on the period-clothes-only Heritage run of the Durango and Silverton railroad. Other sessions do not require reservations but have limited space. There will be a session called “Who was Sheriff Thompson?” Presented by his great-grandson Dr. Greg Stillwell, attendees will hear about this colorful gent’s life and death. Dr. Stillwell will also have on hand many items that belonged to Sheriff Thompson.  There will also be a Hat Workshop – actually presented in four sessions by four different ladies on several aspects of making and embellishing hats. They will also be offering hats and accessories for sale at the Animas Museum. There will be costume contests for both ladies and gents (so remember to pack those glasses and bustles!)

If you have never attended the Durango Heritage Celebration, I would highly recommend it. The mountain scenery is lovely (the awful fires in Colorado did not affect Durango), the weather is cool, and it is so fun to dress in period attire and immerse yourself in the event. For more information, please go to the Durango Heritage Celebration site at http://durangoheritagecelebration.org