2022 Bent’s Old Fort 4th of July Celebration Photo Gallery by Cindy Smith

Description: Park Ranger Jake Koch (clerk/trader), Park Guide Eric Smallwood in leather coat (trader), and Volunteer-in-Park (VIP) J.R. Thompson (clerk/trader) raise a 27-star 1840's version of Old Glory over Bent's Old Fort. (Photo by Cindy Smith)


Published: 07/05/2022
Byline: Smith

2022 Bent’s Old Fort 4th of July a Huge Historic Celebration 

Over 300 people celebrated Independence Day in 1840's fashion at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. 

Park Staff and Volunteers led the visitors to the fort in a grand parade, and reenactors gave presentations including a historic weapons demonstration, and the reading of the declaration of independence.

Visitors to the fort competed in a traditional water bucket relay and a piñata break.

See the Complete Photo Gallery at the Bottom of This Article.

Volunteer Shelby Eck on mule in front (hunter), Volunteer Timmery Foster on paint horse (hunter), Park Guide James Osborn pulling wagon (buffalo hunter - hard to see in this photo), Park Ranger Jake Koch 4th from last (clerk/trader), Park Guide Eric Smallwood last (trader). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer Twyla Gomez in front left (laborer), Park Guide Eric Smallwood in back left (trader), Park Ranger Jake Koch in center (clerk/trader), Park Guide Mary Belew (laborer) and Park Guide Adan Muñoz on right (clerk/trader). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Park Guide Mary Belew (laborer). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer J.R. Thompson (clerk/trader)(Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer Will Prator (hunter). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer Leon Davis with flutes (carpenter). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer Joel Snively (hunter). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Volunteer Louise Bean (hunter). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Park Ranger Jake Koch (clerk/trader) and Park Guide Eric Smallwood (trader). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Park Ranger Jake Koch (clerk/trader) and Park Guide Eric Smallwood (trader) Begin Unfolding and Raising the Flag. (Photo By Cindy Smith)

With flag from left: Park Ranger Jake Koch (clerk/trader), Park Guide Eric Smallwood in leather coat (trader), and Volunteer-in-Park (VIP) J.R. Thompson (clerk/trader). (Photo By Cindy Smith)

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site attracts visitors from across the globe to Southeast Colorado. Locals who attended the 2022 Independence Day Reenactment enjoyed an afternoon of 1840's era fun while celebrating America.

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas. For more information about this and other activities, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/beol or call the park at (719) 383-5010.

Special Thanks to Alicia LaFever of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. 

Related SECO News Categories:

seconews.org/entertainment

seconews.org/santa-fe-trail

seconews.org/today-is-history

Photo Gallery by Cindy Smith Below...



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