Courtesy/Palace of the Governors photo archives

DCA News:‘’

Billy the Kid and other desperados once walked what was considered “The Most Dangerous Street in America” in Lincoln, New Mexico. 

Now that street will fill again, this time with Wild West fans enjoying the stories of the Lincoln County War, gun fights, and dangerous escapes during Old Fort Lincoln Days Aug. 4-6.   

Re-live New Mexico of the 1870s and 80s and explore museums and historic buildings. Walk the paths where Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett and other pistoleros of the Old West roamed. Historians will peel back the layers of the Lincoln’s history and how it earned its reputation. You’ll also hear the perspective of Mescalero Apache who struggled with the same dangers as settlers. There will also be food, art and cowboy archaeology. Festivities wrap up each day with a gun sight performance of the “The Last Escape of Billy the Kid” pageant. The Rockin’ “M” Wranglers will perform on the Pageant Grounds each evening.   

“Old Lincoln Days is one of my favorite events,” Matt Barbour said, deputy director of NMHS. “The town’s streets fill with visitors from near and far… people fascinated by Lincoln’s history. It’s also a terrific partnership between NMHS and the community of Lincoln—we all want to make sure the world knows the story of Lincoln County, and there’s almost no better opportunity than Old Lincoln Days.”    

New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (NMHPD) brings its Archaeology Fair to Old Lincoln Days this year showcasing activities like flintknapping, yucca and fiber artwork, and demonstrations of ground penetrating radar. Learn how to use an atlatl to throw a spear! Several local, state, and private groups will be at the fair including the Office of Archaeological Studies, New Mexico State Parks, New Mexico State Land Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Archaeological Society of New Mexico.  

Old Lincoln Days runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the historic site is $7 for adults, kids, veterans, and active military members and their families get in free. Purchase tickets online at www.newmexicohistoricsites.org. 

Schedule of Events:

FRIDAY AUG. 4, 2023 

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Lincoln Market Open | Woods House Orchard 
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Vendors Open | Throughout Town 
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | NM Archaeology Fair | Behind the Courthouse 
• 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Lincoln Historic Site Open | Throughout Town 
• 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Kids Corner and Petting Zoo Open | San Juan Church 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Living History Camps Open | Torreon 
• 11 a.m. | “Mescalero Apache History: Our Story, Our Experience” | Starlyn Bigrope (Mescalero Apache) | San Juan Church 
• 11:30 a.m. | Marrow Bone Springs Gunfighters | Across from the Visitor Center 
  1 p.m. | Maurice Turetsky statue of Billy the Kid unveiled | Lincoln Historic Site Visitor Center 
• 2 p.m. | “The History of Feather Cave” | Peter Meadville and Marian | San Juan Church 
• 3:30 p.m. | Marrow Bone Springs Gunfighters | Across from the Visitor Center 
• 6 p.m. | Pageant Cast Meet and Greet | Courthouse 
• 7 p.m. | The Rockin’ “M” Wranglers Concert | Pageant Grounds 
• 8:30 p.m. | “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” Pageant | Pageant Grounds 

 SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 2023 

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Lincoln Market Open | Woods House Orchard 
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Vendors Open | Throughout Town 
• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | NM Archaeology Fair | Behind the Courthouse 
• 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Lincoln Historic Site Open | Throughout Town 
• 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Kids Corner and Petting Zoo Open | San Juan Church 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Living History Camps Open | Torreon 
• 11 a.m. | Lecture: “The Most Dangerous Street In America” | B. Dickson | San Juan Church 
• 11:30 a.m. | Marrow Bone Springs Gunfighters | Across from the Visitor Center 
• 2 p.m. | Lecture: “A Visual Tour of Lincoln Historic Site” | Scott Smith | San Juan Church 
• 3:30 p.m. | Marrow Bone Springs Gunfighters | Across from the Visitor Center 
• 6 p.m. | Pageant Cast Meet and Greet | Courthouse 
• 7 p.m. | The Rockin’ “M” Wranglers Concert | Pageant Grounds 
• 8:30 p.m. | “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” Pageant | Pageant Grounds 

 SUNDAY AUGUST 6, 2023 

• 9 a.m. | Lincoln Market Opens | Woods House Orchard 
• 9 a.m. | Vendors Open | Throughout Town 
• 9 a.m. | Community Church Service | Community Church 
• 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Lincoln Historic Site Open | Throughout Town 
• 10 a.m. | Old Lincoln Days Parade | Throughout Town 
• 11 a.m. | Pecos Valley Brass Quintet | Courthouse 
• 11:30 a.m. | Concert | Pageant Grounds 
• 1 p.m. | “Last Escape of Billy the Kid Pageant | Pageant Grounds