The Spanish Trails Fiesta started in 1935 and for decades was the major event of the year in La Plata County. In a nod to marketing, the name was changed to Navajo Trails Fiesta in 1966. The new name emphasized Durango’s connection to the recently completed tourist highway called the Navajo Trail Highway that traversed the Four Corners. Eventually, the event became simply known as Fiesta Days. Though not nearly as popular as it once was, the event still highlights the area’s rural tradition with a rodeo, parade and other Western-themed events. Here, parade-goers enjoy the “Narrow Gauge Special” float as it nears 14th Street. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Catalog Number: 92.15.46 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)
The Spanish Trails Fiesta started in 1935 and for decades was the major event of the year in La Plata County. In a nod to marketing, the name was changed to Navajo Trails Fiesta in 1966. The new name emphasized Durango’s connection to the recently completed tourist highway called the Navajo Trail Highway that traversed the Four Corners. Eventually, the event became simply known as Fiesta Days. Though not nearly as popular as it once was, the event still highlights the area’s rural tradition with a rodeo, parade and other Western-themed events. Here, parade-goers enjoy the “Narrow Gauge Special” float as it nears 14th Street. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, [email protected] (Catalog Number: 92.15.46 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)