Las Vegas Daily Optic from East Las Vegas, New Mexico • Page 18

A Fiesta, Rodeo One In Early Las Vegag For the first time in recent In recent years with the rodeo years the Cowboys Reunion Ro- in August and most recently in deo and the West Las Vegas June and the Fiesta still on the Fourth of Jwly, the two became separated and distinct events often forcing people from out of town to choose between the rodeo and Fiesta. Fiesta will be held together, but in the early years of the rodeo and fiesta, way back in the 1920s and 1930s, the two were inseperable. It is hard to determine what events belonged to the West Las Vegas affair and which to the This year, although the activities are being handled by two committees, 4hey are being de- Cowboys Reunion in the years signed to suplement and com- before the cowboys Reunion was discontinued during ihe 1930s. Citizens of both communities joined together to make the Fourth of July the high spot of the year in Las Vegas, and people came from all over the United States to attend the events here. VISITORS TO LAS VEGAS FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION JULY 2-3-4-5 The 27th Annual RODEO and the OLD TOWN FIESTAS CREDIT BUREAU OF LAS VEGAS 503 Sixth St.

pliment each other with the committees working together. As in 1929 when there were five Fourth of July dances two in East Las Vegas and three in West Las Vegas, there will be dances at the Elks club featuring Western music and dances in West Las Vegas featuring Spanish and modern music this year. Among the early features of the Las Vegas Fourth of July Fiesta were street dances, speeches, numbers presented by local talent on the Plaza, etc. In 1939, when the Fiesta alone was carrying on the tradition for instance, a street dance on Bridge St.Jnaugrated the three- day Fiesta sponsored by the merchants and organizations in West Las Vegas. Independence Day speeches by Mayor Pablo Lopez, Judge Luis E.

Armijo and M.E. Noble were also featured. On the second night of the celebration 70 Community pupils, under the guidance of Mrs. Mary Trujillo and Vicente Gallegos presented a song-and- dance number at the Plaza Park. Pablo Mares, music instructor at the Community Center, and his tipiea orchestra also took part in the Fiesta entertainment.

A street dance on the first night of the Fiesta was held between Lincoln and Douglas Avenues on Sixth St. During the dance the Segura and Gallegos sisters provided entertainment. The Fiesta Parade that year took two hours and was led by Sheriff Ceferino R. Quintana and the Fiesta Queen and followed by the colors, American Legion Bronson Cutting Post members and floats: men, women and children on horses and FUN FOR ALL! LAS VEGAS JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION FOUR BIG DAYS JULY 2-3-4-5 i ATTEND The 27th Annual Rodeo AND Old Town Fiesta A HEARTY WELCOME FROM BEN'S GROCERY WHERE YOU FIND THE BEST FOOD SPECIALS New Polaroid Color Pack Camera for only 54.95 We've got to be kidding. But we're not.

Polaroid has just introduced an economy model of the famous Color Pack Camera. It's called the Model 104. Same great film. Same fast loading. Same electric eye.

Same big color prints in 60 seconds (black and whites arc ready in just 10). Yet Polaroid has figured out a way to bring il to you for only about half the price of the original model. Come in and make us prove it. MURPHEY'S DRUG STORE YOUR REXALL STORE S. H.

GREEN STAMPS The Mounted Patrol Lu Daily ud EdMfaa GREETINGS AM) WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL OLD TOWN FIESTA AND THE 27th ANNUAL RODEO FKOM YOUR PARADE MARSHAL GEORGE MALOOF Manager of MRS. O. MALOOF PAYLESS GROCERY lit Bridge Street A small group of the Vegas Mounted Patrol The New Mexico Mounted Patrol is more than just a group of men interested in horses and riding, although its members do make a pretty fine addition to the local scene when riding in Fiesta parades around the State. The Patrol was created by the 1941 Legislature, "to assist in the enforcement of law by cooperating with all law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies of the State of New Mexico when requested by them and under their direction and control; to act as an official bodyguard to the Governor of this State or to distinguished visitors upon the call of the Governor." Each member of the 12 troops is required to furnish and maintain his own and dress uniforms, saddle rifle and sidearm, and in most instances a horse and trailer to transport the animal when the State Police calls for mounted riders. Members are authorized by statute "to place special identification tags upon regular motor vehicle license plates, cost thereof to be paid by such members." Each such tag indicates the troop number, and the individual's office in the troop or his tenure of service.

Between such times as the "Mounties" are called upon by the State Police, a continuous program is carried on, training them in first aid, traffic control and traffic safety, marksmanship and gun safety, and self-defense. Any or all of these skills are apt to be needed when the Mounted Patrol it, called to aid in a search for escapees or fugitives. Other situations that bring the Mounted Patrol into action include search for lost persons, recovery of bodies after in fact any occurrence in a given area that calls for more police officers than the area sustains. The Mounted Patrol of that area are called upon before State Police are brought in from other areas. It is perhaps this factor of prompt availability that gives the "Mounties" their special value to the State Police Force with its capable leader, Chief John Bradford, 9 captains and 12 sergeants, and 152 well-trained men.

The Mounted Patrol consists of 175 men. Welcome Rodeo Visitors We extend a CORDIAL INVITATION TO YOU to come in and visit with us. (This is the place to come for fun!) DANCING NIGHTLY TO THE MUSIC OF A LOCAL BAND DRINKS THE YOU LIKE THEM IN A PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE BOTTLE SHOP LOUNGE 1130 North Grand Avenue ERNIE DOROTHY then automobiles. Between 35 and 40 floats were expected in the parade held on July 4. Other Fourth of July events tied in with the eaiiy fiestas and rodeos were fireworks displays, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Cowboys Reunion Association, Fiesta Committee, merchants, through the years.

In 1929 there was a display of aerial given from a Swallow air-plane piloted by Bob Crooks, representing the Bob and Lester Flying School which was conducted from the local airport. The plane flew over the territory just outside the city limits and persons could see the display from the airport or from the city. During the day time rides were also given in the airplane which carried seven passengers. Both the Fiesta Committee and Mounted Patrol sponsoring the Cowboys' Reunion Rodeo arc attempting to revive the spirit of the old Fiesta and the early Cowboy's Reunion when the two together drew thousands of people to Las Vegas for the Fourth and didn't let them have a dull moment. The great seal of the State of New Mexico was designed originally by W.

G. Ritch in 1881 for his own use as the seal of the secretary of the territory of New Mexico. The Road-runner, New Mexico's State Bird, is found in (he southern parts of the state and in the river valleys east of the Rio Grande. ENJOY THE FIESTA ATTEND THE RODEO JULY 2-3-4-5 Daring the holidays, visit MS! for your picnic and outing goodies LUNCH MEATS WATERMELON PICNIC SUPPLIES WELCOME! SPONSORED BY NEW MEXICO MOUNTED PATROL, TROOP 3 LAS VEGAS NEW MEXICO LEGION PARK NORTH SEVENTH STREET EXT. Friday Saturday Sunday Monday BIG PARADE SATURDAY JULY 3 10 A.M.

RODEO DANCES FRIDAY SATURDAY JULY 2-3 ELKS CLUB BAREBACK BRONC RIDING SADDLE BRONC RIDING CALF ROPING BULLDOGGING BRAHMA BULL RIDING GIRLS'BARREL RACING SQUARE DEAL MARKET Seath Pacific PIMM 425-7412 SHOW DAILY 1:30 P.M. SUNDAY 2 PJH ADVANCE TICKETS ADULTS CHILDREN 5Oc BOX SEATS $2.00 $2.50 GEN. ADMISSION $1.50 CHILDREN (under 12) 75c SEE YOU THERE.