Heritage Festival returns in new location, same fun activities
Overland Trail Museum’s annual Heritage Festival is moving to Pioneer Park this year, but you can still count on many of the same fun activities, as well as a few new ones.
Part of the four-day Heritage on the Plains event, the Sunday festival will kick off at 10 a.m. with Church in the Park hosted by Sterling Foursquare Church and First Baptist Church at the big pavilion. Immediately following church, at approximately 11 a.m. will be an opening ceremony with a flag raising and National Anthem at the softball fields.
“We’re really excited about our opening ceremony because our own Zach Pomeroy has been working on his Abe Lincoln interpretation and he’s going to be reciting the Gettysburg Address, which will be a really neat way to kick off our part of the event,” said museum curator Kay Rich.
The address commemorated the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place exactly 159 years ago on July 3, 1863.
Immediately following the opening ceremony there will be a performance by dance group Boots in Motion at the big pavilion.
The highlight of the day will be when the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association’s Star Base-ball Club of Colorado Territory takes on the High Plains Hitters, a group of individuals from Sterling community who enjoy playing baseball. First pitch for the 1860s style baseball game is set for noon.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship from First Farmbank there is no cost to attend the baseball game. In fact all of the day’s activities are free, though you will need to bring some money if you plan to enjoy lunch served by the Sterling Lions Club and Merino Volunteer Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Afternoon activities will include live musical entertainment by the Atomic Drifters, a rockabilly, country rock and 50s rock band, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the big pavilion. The band is popular in Sterling, having performed at July Jamz and past Heritage Festivals.
“People absolutely love them and they’re going to be a lot of fun,” Rich said.
In addition to the live music, Mike’s Train Company, sponsored by a donation from Wal-mart, will be providing rides all afternoon throughout the park for children and adults on their model of a late 1800s steam engine train. Plus, the Colorado Flatlanders Car Club will be there, giving a preview of their 30th annual Rod Run, which will be held July 8-10, at Pioneer Park.
Other activities will include Blacksmith Sam, who will be giving demonstrations throughout the day in his mobile blacksmithing trailer, leather crafting, carnival games, face painting and homemade root beer — “a lot of the activities that we have when we have Heritage Festival here at the museum,” Rich said.
All activities run until 4 p.m.
If you plan on attending the festival, please be aware the main roads inside of the park will be closed and you won’t be able to actually drive into the park due to the train running and people walking around the park. Rich said available parking areas will be clearly marked.
The Heritage Festival is sponsored by the City of Sterling, Logan County Commissioners, Logan County Lodging Tax Board, First Farmbank and Wal-mart.
Rounding out the four-day celebration will be the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Jam presented by the City of Sterling and Mega Music on Monday starting at 5 p.m.
in the Home Depot parking lot. Musical entertainment will be provided by ZZ Top tribute band El Loco Fandango. There will also be an appearance by Wild Bill, a free bounce house, horse and wagon rides, giveaways and fireworks starting at dusk in Pioneer Park.
If you aren’t able to watch the fireworks Monday, North Sterling Boat Club will be putting on its fireworks display Saturday evening at North Sterling State Park.
“I think it’s going to be a great weekend. We’re excited; it’s been kind of fun to partner with other groups to do this and I think it’s giving us a great chance to show off what this community has to offer. People can enjoy downtown, the beautiful Logan County Courthouse Square on Friday night and Saturday (for July Jamz and the Art of BBQ Cook-off) and then Pioneer Park is such a premier park; it’s so beautiful and even if it’s a really hot July day there is tons of shade, so I think it’s a great opportunity to show off our community,” Rich said.