Yuma Crossing Day A Step Back in History

Characters from Yuma's historical past will be strolling along Madison Avenue Saturday morning to relate stories of early days in this area from the 1500s until the 1950s.

This is only part of the annual Yuma Crossing Day, presented by the Yuma Crossing Cultural Alliance, a consortium consisting of cultural organizations and sites in Yuma's Historic North End.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., historical characters in front of the Arizona Historical Society, 240 S. Madison Ave., will include individuals portraying Spanish soldiers and explorers, era 1540-1780; Father Garces, 1780; the Mormon Battalion, 1846-48; riverboat pilots from 1850-'80; a woman prospector and a military wife of the 1870s. Banjo music from those early days will be played, and World War II soldiers also will be represented.

Members of the Yuma Chapter Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc., will demonstrate various stitching techniques. Weavers and quilters will show their wares. There's no admission. The museum and gift shop will be open from 10 to 4.

Yuma Crossing State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Ave., will have ranger-led tours of the Quartermaster Depot at 10 a.m. and noon. A Civil War encampment with soldiers from both the North and South will be set up on the grounds. Entry to the park is from 4th Avenue and 2nd Avenue. Regular admission is charged, $4; anyone 14 and older; $3; 7 to 12 years, 6 and younger, free. $1 off will be given with receipt from the Yuma Valley Railway or Yuma Territorial Prison State Park.

The Yuma Valley Railway, off 1st Street behind the old City Hall, will have train rides on antique equipment, starting at 10 a.m. Call Sam at 782-9629 for boarding fees.

At the Yuma County Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave., historic movies about the "Old Plank Road" in the sand dunes west of Yuma will be shown in the auditorium at 10 and 10:45 a.m. "Steamboats on the Colorado" film will be shown at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. These are free shows.

On Main Street, the notorious Yuma Vigilantes will be having western reenactments and gunfights at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. More live entertainment will be presented.

The Degello Gunslingers of Yuma and the Pistols and Petticoats from Apache Junction will liven up the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fidelgo Joe will show off his trick roping expertise and sing.

Across the Colorado River, on Indian Hill Road, the Quechan Tribal Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no admission charge. Tribal exhibits will be on view. Arts and crafts will be for sale, along with fry bread.

Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Yuma Convention and Visitors Bureau at 377 S. Main St., Suite 102, has visitor information, Yuma merchandise and additional information on Yuma Crossing Day.