Helldorado Days

The 85th Anniversary and memorial weekend of the OK Corral gunfight.

Friday is reasonably quiet with some tourists, re-enactors and the odd SASS cowboys around. Plenty of picture opportunities and comments from people about Texas Flower and my dresses. We spent most of the day wandering in and out of shops. Jack wasn't feeling so good so spent some of the time sleeping off a bug while Texas Mac found a couple of old but new guns at the gun show.

Saturday was a different story! Lots of people in town, still plenty of pictures taken and comments which was amazing! Got to meet a lovely lady who's work I've admired for a long time now on Facebook, the lovely Karin McKechnie-Lid and husband Adam. The atmosphere is electric with lots of people dressing in saloon outfits, cowboys, vaqueros, and victorian gowns. There are families, bikies, Australians, Germans and many more!!

Sunday is the big parade day! Another hearty breakfast to get us on our way before battling the crowds for sidewalk positions ready to see the parade. There were so many groups, rodeo queens, Miss Teen or Miss whichever town, steam punk circus, mini cars and trucks to all the cowboys and cowgirls, including an appearance from a few of the Outlaw Gang.

A thunderstorm with hail hit but there is always dressmaking to talk about on the sidewalk before it cleared and they were able to do the walk down firing blanks into the air just before the next shower hit.

In the afternoon we made a visit with Doc Holliday and his show at the Undertakers. Very interesting, learnt a few more facts about Doc…….or did we?! I can tell you now, between playing Faro and listening to him it was mesmerising dear friends, a very cosmopolitan experience! (as I say that in my best Doc/Val Kilmer sounding voice)

Monday and we have a guided tour set up with Dr Jay. He is a local and historian on Tombstone having appeared on the History Channel as well for documentary's regarding Tombston and the series Gunslingers. Lots of information regarding buildings that still have original panes of glass in them, stories of Chinatown and China Mary, Addie Borlin (I hope I've spelt it correctly) Big Nose Kate and much much more. If you ever get the chance his humour and knowledge are well worth the tour!