National
Before the transcontinental railroad and the telegraph, there was the Pony Express. The legendary overland mail service began on April 3,1860, as a lone rider left the Pikes Peak Stables in St. Joseph, Mo., and rode into history. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of this landmark event, St. Joseph has scheduled an exciting and diverse lineup of events and activities, starting April 1-3; a complete list is attached.
The Pony Express National Museum will be the site of numerous sesquicentennial events, starting on Thursday, April 1, with a Buffalo Bill Look-Alike Contest; the winner will receive $500 in gold coins. The celebration will continue on Friday and Saturday, April 2-3, when visitors will enjoy re-enactments of James Gang train robberies (Jesse met his end in St. Joseph), plus exhibits, displays, demonstrations and much more.
On Thursday, a Pony Express Sesquicentennial Banquet will be held at the Patee House Museum, a former luxury hotel that housed the original Pony Express headquarters. Featured guest Christopher Corbett will be on hand to discuss his book, Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legends of the Pony Express at the event and throughout the weekend. The Patee House Museum Pony Express celebration will continue on Friday and Saturday with Pony Express rider demonstrations, lectures and exhibits throughout the fascinating museum (including the Jesse James Home and the “Wild Thing” carousel).
On Saturday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m., the Pony Express Bridle & Saddle Parade starring the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will wind through the streets of St. Joseph to the Pony Express National Museum. The colorful parade will showcase Pony Express riders, period re-enactors, Native Americans, area officials and many others.
The first Pony Express rider, Johnny Fry—actually re-enactor Justin Rother, a direct descendant of an actual Pony Express rider—will dash out from the original Pony Express stables at 7:00 p.m., followed by a concert by America’s #1 Cowboy Music singer Michael Martin Murphey at the Missouri Theatre. Tickets will be $10-$40.
The Pony Express Sesquicentennial celebration also will feature museum exhibits, gala balls and banquets, a re-ride, trail trip and two family-friendly festivals: the Apple Blossom Festival on May 1, complete with the “Sound of Speed” Air Show featuring the renowned Blue Angels; and the Trails West Festival, Aug. 20-22, celebrating St. Joseph’s arts and heritage.
The attached list has additional details about these and other exciting Pony Express Sesquicentennial events in St. Joseph. To find out more, and for information about lodging, dining, shopping and attractions in St. Joseph, please contact the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 785-0360 or visit www.stjomo.com.
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