Territory Days! (05/23-05/25) And Westside/OCC shout -out (Colorado Springs, Colorado City: neighborhood, shop)

[lalahartma]

Territory Days is a 3 day street festival held each year over Memorial Day weekend commemorating Old Colorado City as the first territorial capitol of the Colorado. "Territory Days" will celebrate it's 34th year on May 23, 24 and 25 this year. This celebration has grown from a small neighborhood craft fair into a three-day street festival which hosts over 200 craft, commercial and food booths, and has over 100,000 attendees from around the country.

2009 marks the Sesquicentennial celebration (150 years) for Old Colorado City.


Old Colorado City | Old Town... New Experience (http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/content.php?id=98 - broken link)

I have to say, after picking up a pizza at Pizza Rustica and driving around, etc, I was reminded that the westside and the OCC may very well be the best part of Colorado Springs!

[Maynerd]

Territory Days is a terrific event, but parking is a nightmare. They have shuttle busses (free!) running from Coronado HS. I strongly recommend avoiding bringing your car to OCC. Park at Coronado and avoid the hassle.

Oh, and leave the dog and the stroller at home.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by lalahartma

Territory Days is a 3 day street festival held each year over Memorial Day weekend commemorating Old Colorado City as the first territorial capitol of the Colorado. "Territory Days" will celebrate it's 34th year on May 23, 24 and 25 this year. This celebration has grown from a small neighborhood craft fair into a three-day street festival which hosts over 200 craft, commercial and food booths, and has over 100,000 attendees from around the country.

2009 marks the Sesquicentennial celebration (150 years) for Old Colorado City.


Old Colorado City | Old Town... New Experience (http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/content.php?id=98 - broken link)

I have to say, after picking up a pizza at Pizza Rustica and driving around, etc, I was reminded that the westside and the OCC may very well be the best part of Colorado Springs!

ssshhhh - we're trying to keep that a secret

[MMichelle]

It's a mess. I went once - no need to do it again. Food is really bad, people everywhere - cheap merchandise sold ... not so cheap. To take in an event like that I'd rather go to the state fair and take in a show.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by MMichelle

It's a mess. I went once - no need to do it again. Food is really bad, people everywhere - cheap merchandise sold ... not so cheap. To take in an event like that I'd rather go to the state fair and take in a show.

My thoughts were somewhat the same. It's a street fair with lots of craft vendors and carnival food. There are a few "honest" exhibits that have some connection to the days when Colorado was a "territory" and not a state. One example are the hobbyists who pan for gold and set up a demo, but they put those folks on a side street and use the main street for the commercial stuff. I think we've been twice, no desire to go again, though a different story for families who want to take the kids to something fun, noisy and free.

I prefer OCC on a midweekday for an uncrowded lunch and walk-about.

[mtngigi]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

My thoughts were somewhat the same. It's a street fair with lots of craft vendors and carnival food. There are a few "honest" exhibits that have some connection to the days when Colorado was a "territory" and not a state. One example are the hobbyists who pan for gold and set up a demo, but they put those folks on a side street and use the main street for the commercial stuff. I think we've been twice, no desire to go again, though a different story for families who want to take the kids to something fun, noisy and free.

I prefer OCC on a midweekday for an uncrowded lunch and walk-about.

Agreed ... haven't been to one in years. All I do is eat my way up and down the street, with food that's bad for me, and that's about it - but I'm sure it is fun for folks with kids. Sorry about posting that link, Mike ... I didn't know and now I do.

[McGowdog]

Nice time down there and had to duck a thunderstorm or two...

[jplmr]

Nice pics! Glad to see that someone enjoyed it! My family and I went down there and got soaked from head to toe bone deep. We tried to go eat at the greek resturant to avoid the hail and rain but there was an hour wait so we ran back to the bus and went home. We are gonna try again today!

[otowi]

Mom and I went on Sat. and had fun and got three hours in before the rain - plenty of time.

[janetjanetbobanet]

Got in an hour and a half today before the skies opened. Fun while it lasted!