Intermountain Region Activities and Events

National Park Service
2006 Park Visitor Information

Intermountain Region

Bandelier National Monument, NM
90 th Anniversary Activities - Bandelier was established on February 11, 1916 - so we're inviting everyone to join us in celebrating our 90th Anniversary this year (as well as the 100th anniversary of the Antiquities Act). For the calendar of upcoming activities, look under heading Management Documents. For more information, call the Visitor Center at (505) 672-3861 x 517.

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, CO
Educators Encampment, June 10-11: Visit the 1840s with teachers, students and living history volunteers and staff perfecting their 19th century skills. The encampment, which begins June 8, trains participants in presenting living history to the public. Event is open for public to view ongoing demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11. Pre-registration is required for the full encampment (participation is limited). For information, call (719) 383-5023.
The Night the Stars Fell” Evening Program, August 12: The Perseid Meteor Shower should light the sky for this evening program which explores another shower which stunned North America in 1833 during the fort's construction. See how different cultures responded to this wondrous event. Program begins at 8 p.m.

Mesa Verde National Park, CO
100 th Anniversary Celebration, June 29 - The park will celebrate its 100 th anniversary. It was the first national park set aside to preserve the works of humankind.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, TX
Moment of Remembrance - (May 29) A brief ceremony commemorating those who died so that we might enjoy the gift of freedom, will be held at each of the mission sites. Local High School color guards and band members will play taps and raise the flag during the Moment of Remembrance.
National Parks America Tour Clean Up Day - (September 9) Sponsored by Unilever and Wal-Mart who recruit volunteers to help the park with resource management projects and area clean up. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer call (210) 932-1002 ext 223.
Archaeology Day - (Oct. 7) Mission San José hosts hands-on activities, exhibits, and lectures for the whole family. Activities will emphasize techniques, information learned from digs/artifacts found at the missions, importance of preservation, and future archeology planned for the park. Assisting is the Texas Historical Commission and UTSA Legacy Program as part of Texas Archeology month.
Day of the Dead - (Oct. 29 & 30) This two-day park sponsored event provides activities and programs to explain the history behind its symbolism and relevance. Ofrendas, or altars, will be constructed in Mission San José Visitor Center and the church.
Artesanos del Pueblo - (Nov. 3, preview reception, Nov. 4 & 5) A Celebration of Folk Art Artists specializing in American, Texan, Mexican, Honduran, and Guatemalan folk art demonstrate and sell their works of art. This free event is sponsored by the park's friends group, Los Compadres. Proceeds are used to benefit the park. A registration fee of $50 is charged for the Nov. 3rd evening preview reception. For more information about this event call Los Compadres at (210) 922-3218.
Los Pastores - (Dec. 30) This Mexican folk play depicts the shepherd's journey to worship the Christ Child and the obstacles the devil puts before them. This traditional play has been presented each year at Mission San José since 1947. Contact: Elizabeth Dupree, 210-534-8875 ext. 227.

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
100th Anniversary of Petrified Forest - Set aside in 1906 as Petrified Forest National Monument under the Antiquities Act and upgraded to national park in 1962, Petrified Forest will celebrate its centennial with a variety of special events, workshops, activities, exhibits, and programs. A special centennial webpage is under development, but a calendar of events is currently at http://www.nps.gov/pefo/100th_calendar.htm.

Big Hole National Battlefield Site, MT
The visitor center provides exhibits and a film on the battle at the Big Hole. Summer hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, May 27 to September 10, 2006.

Tipi pitching (Daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm) - Help put up the park’s tipi and learn about the Nez Perce and their culture. The program is thirty minutes in length and held on the visitor center lawn.

Guided Battlefield Walk ( 1:30 pm) - Experience the Big Hole battlefield from the perspectives of the soldiers and Nez Perce. Walks are ninety minutes in length.

Battlefield Talks ( 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm) - An introduction to the battle at the Big Hole. Talks are fifteen minutes in length held on the visitor center observation deck.

Film - The park film, Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big Hole provides an introduction to the Nez Perce War of 1877 and the tragedy that took place here. The film is shown throughout the day and is closed captioned.

Campfire programs (July 1 to September 2, 2006) -Every Saturday at the U.S. Forest Service May Creek Campground, park staff will give evening programs beginning at 8:00 pm.

Sign Language Interpreter - The battlefield has a sign language interpreter on staff. To schedule these services, please call ahead or e-mail patti_bacon@nps.gov.

Beginning Saturday, July 1 through September 4, 2006 , a cultural demonstrator will be on hand Saturdays at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pmand Sundays at 12:00 pmat the battlefield visitor center. A campfire program will be held at the May Creek Campground on Saturday evenings. Call for full schedule or visit the park web site at www.nps.gov/biho.