The Fifth Annual Mancos Melt is looking to help even more people shake off the winter blues with kid-friendly events including the introduction of carnival and an old time movie night.
"I hope it gets the families involved," said Rena Wilson, the event founder.
The recently re-formed Mancos Historical Society will be the beneficiary of the Mancos Melt this year, and as a result, the society members became a driving force behind new events, said Wilson.
The historical society is looking to revisit the past with a Roaring Twenties Mancos Melt that will hopefully raise funds to revitalize historic preservation in town, Terri Dainty the projects director for the society.
The society was re-formed in December and set some concrete goals. The members want to fund restoration of the Mancos Opera House, document all of the historical landmarks in town, create a town museum and help keep arts in school, Dainty said.
By scheduling the new kids movie night over the fashion show the evening of March 14, Dainty hopes it will free up more parents. The same is true for the carnival and the bed races scheduled during the day March 15.
The new carnival at the library will feature a scavenger hunt and face painting. To make history come alive for kids, they will create a 1920s version of The Mancos Times and have the opportunity to talk with historian Fern Ellis, played by Midge Kirk. Ellis wrote the history of Mancos in Come Back to My Valley.
Through the historical society, Dainty hopes to energize arts in school by helping to restore the Opera House giving the students in town a performing arts center.
"Art is history," Dainty said. By entwining the two, Dainty hopes to create community energy around both in town.
If the Opera House becomes the main center for the community to gather for school band performances, plays and other events, Dainty said she hopes the community will become invested in the future of the building.
To help bring people into the building, there will be a dance on March 15 in the Opera House.
Suzanne's school of dance will giving lessons on the Charleston and the Tyrannosaurus Jazz from Fort Lewis College will be playing.
Favorites from past years will also be returning to the Mancos Melt including the golf tournament and the kick-off wine tasting at Olio.
To join the fun, drag out your best flapper dress or pinstripe suit March 13, 14 and 15.
