Medicine Bow to turn 100

By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer

Medicine Bow turns 100 next year, prompting resident Kenda Colman to organize a celebration.

The event comes at an opportune time, converging with a proposed influx of energy workers and an effort to revamp the town’s rodeo grounds.

The Centennial Committee met for the first time last week and emerged with grand ideas for a two-day birthday party in June 2009.

According to Colman, the prized idea is to ask all the town’s organizations to host an activity. For instance, the Fire Department might hold a dinner. Or, the rodeo arena committee might have a rodeo.

“It may not be a full-swing rodeo like the old days, but maybe something reminiscent,” Colman said.

In the preliminary concept, each organization would absorb event costs as well as proceeds. However, Colman said her committee members suggested setting some of the funds aside to continue the celebration in coming years. It could be a revival of Bow Days.

“If (the 2009 event) is successful,” she said, “we’ll see Bow Days return.” If nothing else, Colman has ideas to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Virginian hotel two years later.

Because the town has history in air, train and car traffic, Colman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad, an antique model car group and a collector of old airplanes to participate. She also hopes to recruit an American Indian group because of the town’s name and history. The event should also involve a parade, a dinner and games for children.

The Centennial Committee hopes to provide overarching support for the town’s organizations by helping to write grants and plan events.

“We’ll see how much of a celebration we can do with the money we get and the people who contribute,” Colman said.