Since I moved to Durango in August 2019, I’ve done my best to dip both feet into the concept of “Local Community.”
Surprisingly, I found there’s a BIGLY amount of events occurring in this small town of 19,000 inhabitants.
In order not to miss a beat, I decided to use a hands on approach to finding out what’s going on. To do this, I’m religious when it comes to reading the Telegraph weekly newspaper, scanning the colorful posters found in brewpubs and grocery stores and checking the”Durango Events” website. With these informative sources I’ll choose one from Column A, two from Column B etc.
I’ll pass on events that scream out “Jeffy! This is NOT for you! Stay Away!” IE: The Labor Day Weekend Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. (I hid that long weekend.)
In late August, I noticed a poster announcing the Fort Lewis College Football Schedule. Well, I like watching football. So I went online to get a ticket. Hmm. No online ticket sales. From the website “all tickets are sold at the gate.” I thought, that’s odd..
On game day, I made my way up to the breezy Mesa where Fort Lewis College resides. I looked about for a STADIUM. You know, multi-level stands, banks of flood lights and lots of crowd noise. The usual stuff. Nothing was tackling me.
I turned right when I spotted a Fort Lewis Police Officer driving his rounds.
“Excuse me! Where’s the football stadium?”
He gave me a 180 degree wave.
“It’s over there. If you go past Talon Lane you went too far.”
No wonder I couldn’t find it. The Skyhawk’s playing field sits below a sixteen foot berm. There’s plenty of free parking available in nearby lots. The ticket office consists of a fold-up table under an EZ Up canopy. The cost of a senior ticket is a paltry $5. There’s no bands or scantily clad cheerleaders. The football players run by a gauntlet of appreciative fans. There’s elk poop on the upside of the grassy berm. The Steamworks Brewery beer garden sits practically in the end zone.
I started to grin and take photos.
Skyhawk Football is emblematic of Durango, CO. It’s approachable. It’s laid back. It’s uncrowded. It’s small town community fun.
For the record, the Skyhawks lost yesterday to Colorado State University-Pueblo 21-13. The Local Heroes had more penalties than completed passes. Oh well. Can’t win them all. Which brings up this point. The Skyhawks have won more games this season than that other team in Denver. (Minus the $101 cost of a ticket and the $15-$20 offsite parking fee too.)
I know which team I’d rather see.
So far, I’ve attended two games. The season finale is on November 16th. I’ll be there. Come join me. I’ll spring for a half time brew.
Who knows? If enough fans attend maybe we can do the Wave?
Go Skyhawks!
Jeff
Last photo: No long lines to use the facilities either.
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