Stagecoach Days riding into town Oct. 21-23

Back in the 1850s, all a town needed to be on the map in the Arizona territory was a hotel, a saloon and to be along the western stage coach route to drop off some mail.

In a dusty little town called Maricopa Wells, the Butterfield Overland Stage Station was built in the mid-1800s.

The city of Maricopa will celebrate its rich history this month with both the stagecoach and Southern Pacific Railroad. The city’s Founder’s Day will be included with the celebration, as the city was incorporated Oct. 15, 2003.

“Today’s Stagecoach Days celebration is coming together in celebrating the founding of our city while recognizing the rich history of our community by honoring the tradition of the first Stagecoach Days in 1958 when the community celebrated 100 years of the Butterfield Overland Mail Line,” said special events coordinator Brenda Campbell.

Mayor Anthony Smith said, “Stagecoach Days links the two themes in our slogan ‘Proud History – Prosperous Future.’ It celebrates Maricopa’s history as a center of commerce, gives present day Maricopans an opportunity to share their products, and people of all ages can have some good old fun.”

Stagecoach Days will be held Oct. 21-23 with most events at Pacana Park. Along with the carnival rides and the return of the petting zoo, other activities include a vendor village, artisan village, food court, kids corral, stagecoach rides, beer garden, and musical entertainment.

“Dr. Buck will return as the master of ceremonies with his Wild West Show,” Campbell said. “Live music will include a return of the Silver Sage band and other live bands. Also, the community stage will host our local performing groups.”

There will be an old-fashioned melodrama written by Cynthia Morgan.

“This once-a-year tradition gives the citizens a chance to boo, hiss, oooh aaaawh, jeer and cheer our leaders as they portray the various characters like the hero, Dusty Do Right as he takes on Black Bart Bushwacker and his posse of villians,” Morgan said. “This is the fourth year of this new tradition as part of Stagecoach Days. Everyone is encouraged to dress like the ‘Old Wild, Wild, West,’ and they’ll have a chance to win a nifty prize for best costumes.”

Some of the events will be held the weekend before Stagecoach Days. The Maricopa Historical Society is sponsoring its inaugural Historic Golf Tournament on Oct. 16 to raise money for a museum to house Maricopa’s rich history.

“I hope the community will pull together helping the Maricopa Historical Society build a museum for visitors, school kids and residents to know and see their history,” said Brenda Hermanson, historical society board member and fundraising chair. Rotary Club will be hosting its first street dance on Oct. 21. It will be held at the tennis courts at Pacana Park with music provided by a deejay. Barbecue sandwiches, soft drinks and beer will be available.

There will be a Mini-Miss Maricopa Pageant for girls age 2 to 10. “It’s what we would call a natural pageant,” said Pageant Director Jennifer Mix. “In this pageant, every young lady who participates will be a winner and we are doing it to help them build confidence and we get a chance to see their talents on stage. We’re hoping it’s about being yourself and having fun more than anything else.”

Applications to enter the pageant can be picked up at city hall, 45145 W. Madison Ave., or requested via email at [email protected].

Other activities around town will include a 5K Stop the Violence Run organized by Against Abuse. Event organizer Torri Anderson said proceeds will go to Casa de Paz, a shelter in Maricopa for women and children. It is also the first time for the run at Stagecoach Days.