Upcoming Events in
Billy the Kid Country

(The capital of Kid country is Lincoln, and its Mecca is Fort Sumner, where the Kid's grave is marked by a granite gravestone and surrounded by a fence so souvenir hunters won't chip away bits of the marker as mementos of their foray into the Wild West. In Lincoln we can visit the old L. G. Murphy store-Lincoln County Courthouse building, inside of which are bullet holes from one of the Kid's six-shooters, and the adobe Tunstall store, behind which are the graves of Alexander McSween and John Tunstall. And if we are there during the first week of August, we can see the three-day pageant "The Last Escape of Billy the Kid," an outdoor drama that re-creates the Kid's jailbreak in April 1881. As one observer has commented, "You can dissolve a marriage, separate an egg, split a deck of cards and take a boy from the country-but down in Lincoln town they just can't shed themselves of Billy the Kid." ) excerpt from "Inventing Billy The Kid" by Stephen Tatum



 Old Lincoln Days
 August 4th, 5th, 6th 2006
 Schedule of Events
 Weather in Lincoln, NM 

Take a trip back in time to the 1800s. "Last Escape of Billy the Kid" pageant, street vendors, food, parade (Sunday, 11am starts at the east end of town), mountain man camp. Lincoln, NM (505)653-4025

Lincoln tops magazine's list of "Best In West"

 (In the first weekend in August each year, the town on the Rio Bonito relives its past with Old Lincoln Days and the Billy the Kid Pageant. Three days of parades, music and celebration are climaxed with a re-creation of The Kid's famous escape.
    Seldom has an area been so dominated by the name and legend of a single man, and one wonders how well the Lincoln County War would have been remembered without William Bonney.

 As western historian Robert Utley noted:
    "The Billy the Kid of legend bears only remote resemblance to the Billy the Kid of history, but for more than a century he has held people everywhere enthralled.
    "Even today, the outlaw of sunny disposition and deadly trigger rides boldly across America's mental landscape ... For those who would know the reality, New Mexico's Billy the Kid country offers a graphic introduction." )

From an Albuquerque Journal newspaper  article. 

Note of Interest

At the Pageant Grounds is the traditional enactment, by mostly the same people as in past years, of “The Last Escape of Billy the Kid,” with showings at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. John Shrecengost has played Billy the Kid for 11 years and pretty much has it down.

“I’ve been in the pageant since I was a baby,” said the 25-year-old Shrecengost, whose mother, Diane, is the director.

excised from the Ruidoso News; The Kid tries one more escape,
 By Sandy Suggitt/Vámonos Editor, pageant photos also by Suggitt

Welcome To New Mexico Wild Bunch, Cowboy Fast Draw Club. The purpose of the NEW MEXICO WILD BUNCH is to reenact the legends and nostalgia of the historic gunfighters of the old west from 1850 through the early 1900's. All the guns, holsters, gear, clothing, hats and boots will be of that period. All the guns used in the competition and the shooting matches will be single action .45-caliber only (NO exceptions). Any gun made in that period or an authentic replica is acceptable. All shooting matches will be shot with wax bullets using black powder as a kicker.
(CLICK ON PICTURE FOR MORE DETAILS)
BILLY THE KID INVITATIONAL
FAST DRAW SHOOTING COMPETITION
An "OLD LINCOLN DAYS" Special Event
AUGUST Sat 5th & Sun. 6th, 2006 ,  IN OLD LINCOLN, NM
east end of town at THE ELLIS STORE 

Annual Smokey Bear Days, Capitan, NM

May 5th & 6th, 2006- This event includes fire prevention and safety displays, the smoke house for young children to tour, Smokey Bear (of course) he makes unexpected appearances and will pose for a photo with you or your family, vendors (to include Smokey Bear Merchandise, lots of other merchandise, and food), kids events (new this year), a car show, and new this year a Parade on the 6th of May at 10:00 am, and of course our now annual Chainsaw Carving event with an auction to follow.  And, last of all music all day Saturday to be topped off with a Street Dance on Saturday evening.

Info: Capitan Chamber of Commerce, Mary  1-505-354-2273     

11th Annual White Oaks Miners' Day,
Saturday - June 3, 2006

 Visit the Artists of White Oaks and  the three museums while in White Oaks , the Miner's Tool shed Museum, Miner's home, and the White Oaks Schoolhouse Museum. Mark Remington - the event emcee  will be providing music through out the day. Bring your mail to the White Oaks Postal Station to be canceled with a special U.S. Postal Service Stamp for this day only. The White Oaks Market Place will be the source for a variety of arts, crafts, gifts, food booths, rides, amusements, live demonstrations, Friday night dance, "Madam Varnish" contest, old west shootout, Smokey Bear, trick dogs, petting zoo, parade, dance, children's costume contest, and more!!!! .  For more info, call George@ 505-354-7021

Lincoln County Sheriff's Posse, White Oaks Miners' Day Trail Ride
On Miners' Day, Saturday, June 3, 2006, Starting at 2:00 PM, $25.00 per rider

This is a rare opportunity to ride these historic trails and see the remnants of what was once an integral part of a bustling and booming mining community. Bring your trusted steed and enjoy this Posse led ride. Along the ride you will enjoy a commentary on the various  points of interest. The last part of this 3 hour ride will be through mountain woods East of White Oaks featuring spectacular vistas and scenic beauty. For details and reservations call Casteel Martell at 505-354-5802.

The World's Richest
  Billy the Kid Tombstone Race
SAT., JUNE 10, 2006—6pm

Ft.Sumner, New Mexico

The Billy the Kid Tombstone Race will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Sumner High School Football Field. The famous race has gained national recognition and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and the Today Show. The tombstone, which marks Billy the Kid’s grave at Fort Sumner, has almost as much history as the famous outlaw himself. The stone has been stolen three times since placement by a historical society in the 1940's, and once spent 27 years under a boxcar in Texas following a theft. After its most recent disappearance, the tombstone’s recovery in California was shown on national television. The race is the World’s Richest Tombstone Race, with over $4,000 in cash prizes. It is run over a simple, but grueling, 25 yard course. In the open division, two hurdles (4 and 5 feet) must be scaled while carrying an 80 pound stone during two laps of the four lap race. In the women’s division and the over age 35 division, contestants carry a 20 pound stone and women only have a step at the 5 foot barrier.

Entry deadline is 5:30 p.m. on race day, and the entry is $15. All contestants must be on the field by that time.

ANY CONTESTANT WHO HAS WON FIRST PLACE, TWO TIMES, IN ANY  CATEGORY IS INELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE TOMBSTONE RACE.

Contact: Sandy Paul, Fort Sumner/De Baca County Chamber of Commerce
Call (505) 355-7705 or (505) 355-7393

The 51th Smokey Bear Stampede and Rodeo.
Capitan, NM

July 1-4 , 2006- The 50th Smokey Bear Stampede and Rodeo.  This is Capitan's really big event and it features a rodeo and dance each day, barbeque, and on the 4th there will be a parade with "Back to the Fifties" as the theme, crowning of the Rodeo Queen, finals for the rodeo, and to top it all off a really big fireworks display if it isn't too dry. Info: Capitan Chamber of Commerce, Mary  1-505-354-2273     

August 3-4-5th: Pony Express Trail Ride: Carry US mail (registration/fees cut-off-July 27th) over old-west trails of Billy the Kid. Chuck wagon meals on historic trails. 3 days & 2 nights. Ride departs White Oaks and concludes in Old Lincoln Days 10am on Sunday at the US Post Office (Tunstall Store). Info:  Tom 505-354-2664

August 12, 13, 14th,2006 : De Baca County Fair, (De Baca County Fairgrounds SE of Ft. Sumner) Rex Buchman 505-355-2381

Ft. Sumner is a friendly western village where you can take a pleasant stroll along the historic Pecos River, or take your kids to the grave of outlaw Billy the Kid.

DE BACA COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE
Weather in Ft. Sumner, NM

August 8-12th, 2006: Annual Lincoln County Fair: Capitan Fair Grounds. Livestock show, dance and lots more to do and see! Info: Capitan Chamber of Commerce, Mary  1-505-354-2273     

LINCOLN COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE
Weather in Capitan, NM

Fort Stanton, NM, 150 Years Of Service~Event Schedule
Fort Stanton Celebrates 151th Anniversary
(Event Schedule)

Fort Stanton LiveAugust 12, 13, 2006:
Fort Stanton was established on May 4, 1855 to protect Hispanic settlements along the Rio Bonito from Apache raids. Home to Kit Carson, John "Black Jack" Pershing, Billy the Kid, and hundreds of Buffalo Soldiers, the fort remained an active part of the Western frontier until it was decommissioned in 1896. Click on for directions to Fort Stanton

     The 16th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium   
 "SALUTE TO THE RODEO COWBOY"

Click for more Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium info.OCTOBER 6, 7, & 8, 2006: Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium: Hubbard Museum of the American West. Cowboy poets, musicians, chuckwagon cooks/craftsmen plus a great concert (TBA)  Info: Museum, 378-4142

 

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