Heritage Days are here again

PORTALES — Classic cars are as much a part of Roosevelt County's heritage as covered wagons, according to Heritage Days Car Show chairman Donny Massey.

Massey said people can always expect a variety of vehicles and eras to be represented at the car show, held in conjunction with Heritage Days each year.

It's all scheduled for Saturday.

Last year's People's Choice in the car show was a '60s Ford Mustang, according to Massey.

Cost to register is $20 per vehicle, and car owners can sign up online at http://www.portales.com or pick up a form at the Chamber of Commerce, 100 S. Ave. A.

"Last year, we had a really great car show. The numbers were really up; we had close to 60 cars last year, and we are getting lots of signups already (for this year), so I think we'll do well on the car show," said Chamber Executive Director Karl Terry.

Another event held each year in conjunction with Heritage Days is Portales MainStreet's Fun Run, which has a new route this year. It starts at the corner of Main and Third streets and travels west on Third to Avenue I, then south on Avenue I to 18th Street and east on 18th Street to Main and the Yam Theatre.

MainStreet Executive Director Sandy Vigil said the event is the longest running event of Portales MainStreet.

"When The MainStreet Program started this event 17 years ago, it was our fundraising boost to start the renovations of the Historic Yam Theatre," she said. "Last year, we had nearly 100 registrants; that's the largest that anyone can remember. This event is still going strong, and we love having our regulars come back year after year."

The event, which features a 5K Run/Walk or 10K Run, will start at 7:30 am. Registration is $20 and can be completed online at http://www.portalesmainstreet.org, picked up at the Yam Theatre, 219 S. Main Street on Friday or on the morning of the event.

Then along with the traditional events held each year with Heritage Days, there are some new activities to partake in this year, according to Terry, such as mechanical bull riding and a pedal car obstacle course by the Portales Police Department, and the train from previous years is returning.

He said as usual, a Cannon Air Force Base squadron will run the children's activities, including pony rides, water fights and more, and he believes there will be new activities from last year's event included in those as well.

The annual Heritage Days parade will go from Avenue O to Second Street to Abilene and disband at City Park, he said.

"This is really shaping up to be one of the best ones we've ever had," said Terry. "We have quite a few more booths than we used to and quite a few activities. Lots of food and lots of fun."

Schedule

(all events at Portales City Park unless noted)

Friday

• 6:30 p.m .: Christian Country Jamboree

Saturday

• 7:30 a.m .: MainStreet Fun Run, starting at the corner of Main and Third streets

• 8 a.m .: Car show registration

• 9 a.m .: Car show starts

• 9:15 a.m .: Parade lineup at Second Street and Avenue O

• 10 a.m .: Parade starts

• 10:30 a.m .: Vendor booths open

• 11 a.m .: Local country music

• 1:30 p.m .: Introduction of pioneers

• 1:45 p.m .: Pioneer cake is cut

• 2 p.m .: Christian Bluegrass Music

• 3:30 p.m .: Cow Girls Rodeo Association barrel races at the Portales fairgrounds

• 7 p.m .: Portales High School ’80s reunion at the Yam Theatre