Ticket feature: Old Timer Days begin today in Melrose

File photo One of the many floats in past parades at the annual Melrose Old Timers Days celebration. Activities start today with judging for the Most Attractive Yard and the annual parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Freedom New Mexico

A parade, a car show and reunions are all in the works for the Melrose Old Timer Days today through Saturday in Melrose.

Melrose Chamber of Commerce President James Townson said judging for the Most Attractive Yard Contest was set for today.

Friday, a music festival with local musicians is set for 7 p.m. at the PE Complex, Townson said. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students in first grade through high school and free for children in kindergarten and younger.

Townson expected the festival to last about 2 1/2 hours.

Saturday features a senior citizens’ early morning breakfast at 7 a.m. The Old Timer Days parade line-up is set for 9 a.m., with the parade to begin at 9:30 a.m.

After the parade, Townson said, participants can head to the park for the Melrose Downs Turtle Race, followed by recognition of Grand Marshals Delores and Eldon Blackburn.

“They’ve been a real big part of the Melrose community for many years,” Townson said.

An auto show in which attendees can vote for their favorite cars is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

Parade awards, class and family reunions, and food vendors and arts-and-crafts booths are also planned. Townson expects people to linger in the park until 1:30 or 2 p.m.

There is no admission fee for the parade or events in the park.

The annual event dates back to 1952, as near as Townson can tell. He said Old Timer Days started as a potluck dinner but grew to its current three-day span.