Sept. 22 big day in Old Town

First it will be the Coronado High Home-coming Parade, followed by a greatly expanded Art on the Avenue, overlapping a Taste of Old Colorado City that will have its most-ever eating locations. And, if visitors have any time in between, Colorado Avenue is full of handmade scarecrows to check out.        This will be Saturday, Sept. 22 in Old Colorado City.        “The weather is supposed to be 83 degrees, the streets are paved and everyone has their scarecrows out. It's going to be a fun time,” said Nancy Stovall, coordinator of both the Art and Taste events as part of the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) merchants group's annual Scarecrow Days.        The parade and culminating pep rally, expected to last an hour in all, will start at 9 a.m., going from 28th Street to Bancroft Park. As soon as possible afterwards, the avenue will open up again for the merchants' art activities, which are free and open to the public and will last until 5 p.m.        These are to include: A roaming musical group (Blue Sage). Artists at their easels. Pavement art opportunities for children in the Old Town Plaza parking lot at 25th and Colorado. Old Town artist Jason Baalman painting a mural on the side of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory building on 25th Street. Storytimes by the Old Colorado City Library outside the Colorado City Creamery at 26th and Colorado (between noon and 3 p.m.). Local history talks at the cabin in Bancroft Park (also noon to 3). A mime, a magician and a balloon-twister.        This is the third year for the Art and Taste events. The latter, going from noon to 5 p.m., will have 20 tasting opportunities, as opposed to 17 last year. The cost for Taste of Old Colorado City is $15 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under, with proceeds shared by the library and Old Colorado City History Center. Tickets are available at participating stores or at the OCCA table, which will be under an umbrella Sept. 22 in the Old Town Plaza. Westside Pioneer article