Reenactors perform the Lincoln War Five-Day Battle during Old Lincoln Days. Photo credit: NMHS/DCA
NMDCA News:
LINCOLN — Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the legendary history of Billy the Kid and the town of Historic Lincoln during Old Lincoln Days, co-presented by Lincoln Historic Site, the Friends of Historic Lincoln, the Billy the Kid Pageant committee, and members of the Lincoln community. The annual event takes place Friday, Aug. 1–Sunday, Aug. 3, and includes reenactments, lectures, children’s activities, carriage rides, a parade, live music, food, vendors, and the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” pageant.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s celebration of Old Lincoln Days which will include expanded children’s activities, as well as live musical performances,” Oliver Horn said, regional site manager at Lincoln Historic Site.
The site will host lectures in the San Juan Bautista Church as part of the monthly Lincoln Lecture Series.
Schedule of speakers:
- 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1: Archaeologist Charles M. Haecker will discuss an archaeological survey done at Fort Stanton from
- 2–3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1: Lisa L. Sparks will give a talk on prehistoric lifeways of Lincoln County
- 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2: Brandon Dickson will talk about the “Most Dangerous Street in America”
- 2–3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2: Prince G. McKenzie will talk about “The Evolution of the Colt Frontier Six Shooter and the Winchester 73”
Children’s activities will be offered outside of the San Juan Bautista Church and the Convento by the site, Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum, Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Department, and other community partners.
These activities include crafts, hands-on exploration, and educational information from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 2, children of all ages can participate in a “Where is Billy?” seek and find throughout town. A list of locations will be available at the Anderson Freeman Visitor Center and participants can receive a prize for completing the hunt. See a complete schedule of activities online.
Admission to Lincoln Historic Site buildings and activities is $7 per adult and free to children 16 years and younger, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, Friends of Lincoln members, and MNMF members. Site admission can be purchased at the Courthouse, Anderson Freeman Visitor Center, or online using a QR code posted around the site. Visitors will receive a wristband to show when entering historic site buildings and participating in site events. Admission for the Billy the Kid pageant is separate and is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free to children five and younger. Tickets are only available at the gate beginning at 10 a.m. and cash is recommended.
About Lincoln Historic Site
Lincoln Historic Site is one of the most widely visited state historic sites in New Mexico and is the most intact nineteenth century town in New Mexico. Through a gift from the Hubbard Family Trust, the historic site includes 17 structures and outbuildings, ten of which are open to the public. Most of the buildings in the community are representative of the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest. Learn more about Lincoln at nmhistoricsites.org/lincoln.
A reenactor offers a living history demonstration during Old Lincoln Days. Photo credit: NMHS/DCA