RBC I A celebration of “50 Years Wild” to commemorate the anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and a half-century of wild and special places, area residents and visitors are invited to an afternoon of wilderness education, primitive skills demonstrations, live music and food.
The event will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday on the front lawn of the Rio Blanco County Courthouse in downtown Meeker.
Special presentations will include backcountry Leave No Trace skills with Glenn Ryan and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Rocky Mountain Regional Mule Packstring. Shawn Welder will demonstrate an outfitter’s camp, complete with a campfire and Dutch oven cooking demonstration by Jeff Madison.
Watch an exciting demonstration on how the USFS uses cross-cut saws to cut down trees. Teams of two will compete for time, so the public can vote for their favorite team and win prizes.
Children can explore their wild and creative skills in leather crafting with Colorado saddle maker Bob Klenda,and wild mask making with the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council.
During the event, Wendll’s Wondrous Things will be a hosting two book signings. Folks can meet Paul S. Sutter, author of “Driven Wild,” and Ralph Swain, author of “Wilderness Ranger Cookbook.”
Other booths joining the event are the Rio Blanco Historical Society, the Bureau of Land Management, the USFS and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
A beer garden will be available for those 21 years of age to enjoy, featuring BeWildeRed from the Bonfire Brewing Co. of Eagle. Local restaurants will also be serving food.
At 5 p.m., the ERBM Recreation and Park District will host a free concert featuring Winter Park’s “Hotter N Grits,” also on the courthouse lawn.
For more information, call the Meeker Chamber of Commerce at 878-5510.
