Early settlers day is soon approaching and the committee has been hard at work.

Plans are being made for the yearly event which will take place on Sept. 12.  Activities are planned throughout the day.

The day will kick off with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast downtown.

The bed race is to begin at 9 a.m. Teams are being signed up now. Interested people may call the chamber for registration information and to sign up.

The golden fish tags are in. Bruce from Bruce's Fish Farm will be tagging the fish as he collects them from his pond. Bruce is donating 20 catfish that are 15 - 20 inches. As people fish in the city pond and catch these tagged fish, they are to take it to the stage to claim their prize.  The fishing derby is for ages 14 and under.  If fish are pulled out after Early Settlers Day, people are asked to take their tag to the La Junta Chamber of Commerce office to receive their prize.  Prizes have been donated by Hook, Line & Sinker and Jerry's Custom Painting.

A softball tournament is being organized by Scott Sutherland. The tournament will take place at Veteran's Field. Teams of 10-12 players may call Sutherland at 468-2404 by Sept. 10 to register.  The entry fee is $125 per team.

Kenny Arguello is organizing a Bike Poker Run. Registration will be at the Kiva after the parade.  Anyone wishing to donate may call Arguello at 468-9381. Procedes from the run will go to Justin Rodriguez to help with expenses.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will follow the original route north on Santa Fe, east on 2nd, then south on Colorado Ave. Parade registration will continue through Sept. 1. Parade entrants must be registered to be judged and recognized in the parade.

After the parade there will be a 4-H produce stand fundraiser downtown.

There is still plenty of room downtown for a car show if anyone wants to show their car.
Tri-County Family Care Center will be available at Dr. Karney's office at 10th and Colorado Ave. Bring a child to have a car seat checked.

Sign up for activities in the park will be after the parade. Some of these activities include: a talent show, a Guitar Hero battle at the south gazebo, a skateboard contest being sponsored by AVRMC and Alure Facials, bingo, a treasure pit (to begin at 11:30 for ages 3-6 at the playground and ages 7 - 10 at the volleyball pit), a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and dunk tank being sponsored by the Cub Scouts.

B.J.'s is sponsoring a horseshoe tournament. Sign up is after the parade. Entry fee is $5 per person and everything goes back to the pot.

The senior dinner is being sponsored by Evergreen Gardens, the Senior Center and Casa del Sol. It will be at the gazebo by the playground. There is no need to arrive too early as lunch will not be served until 11:30. Mavericks will help serve.

A Rocky Mountain Oyster fry will be in the tennis court area.

Prizes from the day's activities will be presented on the stage at the park at 6 p.m.

To wrap up the evening Amtrack is sponsoring Jeff Ballard's (of Absolut Images) band, Wind River. They will take the stage to provide live entertainment for the dance.

Names of locals service in the military are needed by the Chamber for recognition. Call the chamber office at (719) 384-7411 to give names so they may be recognized for the service to our country.

Booths are still available with or without electricity. Forms may be downloaded from www.lajuntachamber.com or the chamber office may be notified.

Anyone who has questions or want to volunteer contact Beth or Coral at the chamber office, (719) 384-7411.

Early Settlers Day planning meetings are held each Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office and is open to anyone who wants to participate.

So mark the calendar for Sept. 12, bring lawn chair/shade tents, picnic blankets, set up a home base and enjoy the activities that the committee has worked so hard for people to enjoy.