Bent’s Fort hosting July 4 programs

Beginning July 4th, the public is invited to discover stories from the borderlands along the Arkansas River in the 1800s throughout 2024. “Stories from the Borderlands” is a regular series of programs which will explore the complex histories found at the fort.

Visitors young and old are invited on Thursday, July 4, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm to celebrate American Independence with a series of activities and programs.

• 1:00 p.m. — Tolling of the Bell to Ring In each State in the Union.
• 1:30 p.m. — “Stories from the Borderlands” Program – Bicentennial Commemorations
• 2:45 p.m. — Water Bucket Relay – A popular pastime of Independence Day celebrations in the past. This program is kid focused, please note children may get their clothes wet.
• 3:30 p.m. — Flag Give-away – enter a drawing for a flag that has flown over the fort – register when you enter the fort.
• 4:00 p.m. — Fort and Parking Lot closed

“Stories from the Borderlands” will be offered monthly throughout the remainder of 2024. Each program will last 45 minutes and explore a different facet of the Fort’s story:

Bicentennial Commemorations— Thursday, July 4, 2024, 1:30 p.m.

This program will explore how the 1976 Bicentennial became a catalyst for commemorating history in southeast Colorado, leading to the reconstruction of Bent’s Old Fort and the beginning of the Amache Pilgrimage.