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Did you miss GMF Bronc Day AGAIN?!?

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Contributed by: Holly Heiman on 8/5/2008

There is a little town, nestled in a nook off Highway 24, called Green Mountain Falls, in case you didn't know. And in this little town, once a year, a 70-year-old celebration of the Old West takes place.

Every August, usually the first weekend, Bronc Day takes place.
This year, like most, the events centered around the Gazebo lake.

I got up and walked to the fire station around 9 o'clock - I only live a few hundred feet down the street from there - got my two pancakes, sausages, eggs, coffee and orange juice after placing my bills in one of the rubber fire boots at the front. After about 30 minutes, the parade started, with all the cuteness of small community parades...little kids in costumes, a doggie retinue, followed by gunfighters and Darth Vader; gobs of candy thrown into the street by vivacious little boys & girls barely tall enough to reach out the back windows of the huge fire trucks they were in.

A full western rig from the Gold Canyon Gunfighters of Colorado Springs, including lots of brightly decked out fancy women, came almost last. Later on, they had a high noon gunfight, with several gunslingers hiding out in the small constructed western town on the hill overlooking the lake.

A large new Springs' Metro bus was parked, touting the NEW Ute Pass Express bus service that's supposed to start in October this year! Making stops in Woodland Park, Crystola, Green Mountain Falls and Cascade! Yeah! Lets hear it for public transportation! I expect to see every one of you 2,000+ commuters on the bus too! Let's make it two or three buses!

Next up, my pals from the Ute Pass Historical Society (where I spend some of my time every week) had the 1888 Land Office opened up, complete with nice new photo exhibits, and the full traveling book shop! (Did you know the Land Office is next in line for restoration now that the Gazebo is finished? The floor and roof is rotting out of this 120 year old structure. Contact the Ute Pass Historical Society to donate or help out - 686-7512).

Arts and crafts booths lined up next to the huge kid's Bouncy house and Air slides! Wow - and the kid's activities were all for free too! Now THATS what I call community.

I made my way past all the craft & rock booths and found slightly crusty Dandelion the clown (Bill Davis) from Cripple Creek, making balloon critters for adorable little be-ribboned kids. He fit in perfectly to the old west theme with his long slicker and straw hat.

I heard a commotion over at the Pantry (a restaurant I don't recommend for those with food allergies)...and saw a meticulously dressed lady in a Victorian dove grey hat and gown, starting a speech on the evils of drunkenness! Modenia Kramer, portraying Mrs. Swayze, (no, not related to Patrick) had her full Women's Temperance Union League, including the jilted bride (Beth Kosley), the widow of a drunk (Sherry Zirges), and assistant with her own personal bottle of 'medicine' (Dorrie Guyar). What a heck of a lot of fun that group was!

After checking out the Gold Canyon Gunfighter's town on the hill, I saw a little person walking with her Dad, and a "Bronc Day" banner across her chest, and realized I was in the presence of royalty! Low and behold, sweet little 8 year old Sage was one of the two Bronc Day princesses. You'll see in the photo what a cutie she is!

Finally, as I made my way back, and stopped at the Mucky Duck's food booth (profits entirely donated to fund the Bronc Day event!), I caught sight of Green Mountain Falls' own Mayor, Dick Bratton. He is such a friendly, easy-going guy, I made him stop and asked him what he'd like to say for the paper: ' ...The Bronc Day Committee is thrilled with the turnout of this year's Bronc Day, and especially all the volunteer help.' Thanks to everyone that made it possible - gotta keep the spirit of small local communities alive and well!

Please take a look at the photos attached to this story, as they show it best of all.

Author's side note: Being an animal lover, I can't forget on that blistering summer day the heat-exhausted little dog dressed in tight black pleather, standing a few inches above the roasting blacktop, and the owner who dragged it from the shade it sought out when the long (for its tiny legs) parade was over. It was one of several dogs in the parade, temperature being in the upper 80's. She laughed it off (while the dog was obviously in distress) agreed that, yes, her little yorkie probably was hot... - if I only would have thought quicker, and asked if I could help her find the little dog some cool water, and then remove the awful vest....hmmm..well, guess I'll save that for another story! "People who like to torture their animals because they CAN!"

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Tyler Stevens

posted on 8/17/2008 @ 8:22:41 AM

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Great catch Randi! Yes, I'm the Mayor of GMF, Dick Bratton is our town's "Mayor Pro Tem" which is like a Vice Mayor in other municipalities. To Confuse things, he was GMF's Mayor for many years prior to my first term in 2004. Sage & Coco loved the shot of themselves - Thanks for covering Bronc Days. Dick Bratton did a wonderful job coordinating a large group of volunteers.

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Submitted By: Randi Hitchcock

posted on 8/12/2008 @ 6:48:34 PM

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Great story, but isn't the town mayor Tyler Stevens?

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Holly Heiman

Green Mountain Falls , CO

Holly Heiman has posted 12 stories and 4 comments since joining on 6/28/2007. Holly Heiman 's average story rating is 4.62.

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