Thanks to Jim Meyers for his contribution covering the renewed tradition of Bailey Day, an Old West Fest in Bailey.
There’s one day a year when the whole town of Bailey gathers for fun, laughter, shopping, meeting new friends and renewing old friendships and, of course, a taste of the Old West! For an entire day, Saturday, June 19 from 10 am until 8 pm, Main Street in Bailey will be closed to traffic and will be transformed into the Bailey of the 1800s.
The history of Bailey Day goes back to the ’60s and ’70s, back in the days when you could still have a parade with floats and horses right down the middle of Hwy 285! Those days are long gone, but the spirit of “Mountain Strong Together” is alive and well in this beautiful mountain community with the ever-present melody of the Platte River flowing through town.
So, what is Bailey Day Old West Fest all about? It’s about getting out in the fresh air after more than a year of being cooped up with Covid—that’s what it is! This is a day for the whole family, and we guarantee a day you won’t soon forget.
There will be live music at both ends of Main Street, featuring groups such as Jewel and the Rough, The Woodland Park Band, and the John Weeks Band ending the day with some blues and rock tunes to dance the night away. Over 100 local artisans and vendors will line the streets selling everything from handmade soap to wood carvings and handmade leather goods. It will be a great time to get some early Christmas shopping done!
Everyone is encouraged to dress the part, wearing their best old-time western outfits. To that end, a costume company will be on hand from which you can rent your Victorian dress and your cowboy duds for the day.
When you get a “hankering” for something to fill your belly, you will be able to choose from our local barbeque smokers, or grab a street taco, or visit half a dozen other food vendors of your choosing. And to wash it all down, you can slide on over to the Bailey Saloon and pick from a long list of craft beers to satisfy that powerful thirst.
The kids will love the petting zoo and the horses, and they can try their skill as a Native American warrior in the archery zone. Besides all of that, we’ve got an entire area set aside just for the kids, with jumping castles, arcade games and much more.
Of course, no Bailey Day Old West Fest would be complete without those rascals from the Park County Regulators wandering around town, up to no good for sure! There will be gunfights (all safe, of course), bullwhip and fast draw demonstrations, and you never know when a couple of those outlaws might just run afoul of the law right on Main Street!
Throw in a watermelon eating contest and the High Noon Auction, and you’ve got an entire day of incredible fun for the whole family!
Bailey Day Old West Fest is a free event for all comers. Parking will be available at Crow Hill Bible Church, located at the top of Crow Hill where you can catch a shuttle down to the drop-off point at Main Street. Parking is at a premium in downtown Bailey, so we strongly urge all visitors to make use of our shuttle service.
The event will start at 10 am with a rousing kick-off by the Regulators that you won’t want to miss! Those interested in being vendors and/or sponsors can find the applications at Baileyday.org. And please note: we’re asking all of our vendors to dress in their best, authentic old west outfits, or rent them from Saunders Costumes, who will be present starting the Thursday before Bailey Day (costume rental is included in the vendor fee).
