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Trails and rails narrators onboard AMTRAK.

May 6 - September 3, 2012: Trails and Rails Trips
Narrated excursions aboard Amtrak's Sourhwest Chief depart La Junta, Colorado on Mondays and Fridays for overnight trips to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Folllow the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail up and over Raton Pass while learning th stories of people, plants and animals along the way. For more information, call (719)383-5024.

NPS

Conestoga on the Santa Fe Trail

May 12-13, 2012:  Wagons Ho! Trail Transportation through Time
The park joins with several trail organizations for a two-day look at wagons used along the historic trails of the West. Displays, demonstrations, and presentations will introduce the vehicles on Saturday. On Sunday, the wagons will take to the trail for an excursion along the trace of the Santa Fe Trail.  For more information click here or call (719)383-5023. Those who would like to bring their wagon and possibly livestock, read the introductory letter and register by using the form, Wagon and Livestock Form and mail to: Bent's Old Fort NHS, 35110 Highway 194 E., La Junta, CO 81050.

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Trade carried on in the camp.   

June 2-3, 2012: fur Trade Encampment
The park's largest living history event for 2012 takes place this weekend and celebrates the trappers, traders, and tribes associated with the fur trade in the Southwest. Their camps, set up near the fort, will be open for touring. More than 50 living history volunteers bring the post back to life during the event!

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Kids work in the adobe pit making bricks.

July 14, 2012: Kid's Quarters

Seven to eleven year-old children are invited to "step back in time" and experience the life of a trapper, trader, laborer, craftsman, Indian, soldier or other roles. Kids learn and practice 19th century skills and experience living history for themselves. Call for an application after May 1, 2012. 

Sara Holt

DAR members at the 2010 reenactment

September 8, 2012: Daughters of the American Revolution Marker Reenactment
In September 1912, the Daughters of the American Revolution, who became the first true caretakers of the fort as a historic place, dedicated a marker at the site of Bent's Old Fort. Using written accounts and photographs from 100 years ago, the park will recreate the event and rededicate the marker with the help of the D.A.R.

Lorenzo Trujillo

Visitors join in with the broom dance.

October 6, 2012: Hispanic Heritage Day
One 19th century visitor remarked that , "Spanish is the prevailing language spoken at the fort..." Come visit as the rich and colorful history of Mexico's frontier comes alive with period adobe work, music and dance, trading, cooking, storytelling, livestock use demonstrations and other special programs and exhibits.

NPS

The Pinata break.

December 7-8, 2012: Holiday Celebration
Witness for yourself the joys, pleasures and pastimes of the 1840s at an isolated trading post. The spirit of the season comes alive with wagon rides, games, toy making and other holiday festivities. The event begins, Friday evening December 7 with candlelight tours of the fort and continues all through Saturday, December 8 culiminating with another evening of candlelight tours. For reservations for the eveing tour, phone (719)383-5026 after November 1, 2012.