The Spanish were the first to explore the American Southwest and they brought with them Catholic traditions including the celebration of Christmas. The Spanish mission was to acquire land for the crown and convert the Native Americans to Christianity. However, many of the native beliefs were absorbed into the holiday celebrations in the Southwest, as [...]

The “Mile High City,” Denver, Colorado, lights up the first weekend of December as the Denver Parade of Lights marches through two miles of downtown city streets. Giant festive balloons, high school marching bands, horse-drawn carriages, costumed characters and performers from throughout the Rocky Mountain region hit the streets of Downtown Denver every year. The [...]

Ever seen hundreds of runners in Santa suits? It happens once a year at the end of November in both Ogden and Provo, Utah. Hundreds of runners don Santa suits, hats and beards and race up the main streets of both towns. Santa’s Helpers (all volunteers) who dress in green shirts and hats hand out [...]

The climate and natural resources of the Animas Valley in Colorado, has made it a gathering place for humans as far back as 14,000 years ago. The first inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who followed the buffalo herds and other game into the area. The settlement of Durango, Colorado remained sporadic for nearly 12,000 years until the [...]

Have you ever wondered what the pilgrims had for their first Thanksgiving dinner? If you’d like to find out, a great place to visit is the Thanksgiving Point Institute in Lehi, Utah. Around the third week of November, just before Thanksgiving, the institute transforms its Show Barn into a 17th Century showplace, complete with the [...]

As Colorado and the Southwest were being settled, it was rare for a Native American to play a prominent role in events, but Chief Ouray and his second wife, White Singing Bird (Chipeta) were two such notable individuals. Chief Ouray was born in what is now New Mexico. Stories say he was born under a [...]