Cherokee Trail to the West: 1849-1859

Oregon-California Trails Association Convention 
August 18-22, 2009 
   Loveland, Colorado    

Join the Colorado-Cherokee Trail Chapter 
at the 27^th Annual OCTA Convention 
and the Sesquicentennial of the Colorado Gold Rush  

Loveland, Colorado, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, is the host city for the 2009 Oregon-California Trails Association’s 27^th annual national convention. Located just 50 minutes from Denver International Airport, Loveland is conveniently situated on the Front Range along I-25.

Many trail pioneers passed through the area that is now Loveland, including ‘49ers bound for the California gold fields, Utah Mormons headed to seek converts in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and ‘59ers coming to the Front Range to participate in the Colorado gold rush.

The Colorado-Cherokee Trail Chapter of OCTA is serving as the host chapter for the 2009 convention. The week of August 18-22 will see hundreds of “rut nuts” descend on Loveland to learn about the area’s rich trail history. The week will be filled with incredible field trips, knowledgeable speakers, fun workshops, and filling banquets.

Daily Schedule (Tentative)  

Sunday, August 16 and Monday, August 17:

• Pre-convention tours:
      > South Platte River, Julesburg to Greeley
      > Cherokee Trail through Wyoming
      > Smoky Hill Trail, Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado
      > Old Spanish Trail in Western Colorado

Tuesday, August 18:

• 8:00 - 5:00: OCTA Board Meeting at Best Western
• Noon - 5:00: Half-day tour of historic sites of Loveland
• 6:00 - 9:00: Opening reception at Ellis Ranch

Wednesday, August 19:

• 6:30 - 8:00: Chapter Presidents and Committee Chairs Breakfast
• 8:00 - 9:30: Opening reception and General Business Meeting
• 9:30 - 10:15: Keynote speaker
• 10:15 - 10:30: Break
• 10:30 - 11:45: Speakers
• Noon - 1:30: Awards Banquet
• 1:45 - 4:45: Speakers
• 5:30 - 7:00: No Host Social Hour and Dinner at the Rialto Theater
• 7:30 - 9:30: In Search of a Dream: Film premiere with Q&A Session with the cast and filmmakers at the Rialto Theater

Thursday, August 20:

• 7:00 - 5:00: Field trips  
      > Greeley and the Four Forts
      > Cherokee Trail, Loveland to Wyoming
      > Denver Public Library and Colorado History Museum
      > Colorado mining towns
• 5:00 – 7:00: Dinner on your own
• 7:00 – 9:30: Workshops:
      > Genealogy
      > Mapping
      > Chapter Development
      > Convention Planning  
      > Others to be announced
• Repeat showing of In Search of a Dream at the Rialto Theater

Friday, August 21:

• 8:00 - 9:50: Speakers
• 9:50 - 10:10: Break
• 10:10 - Noon: Speakers
• Noon - 1:30: Lunch
• 1:30 - 2:50: Speakers
• 2:50 - 3:10: Break
• 3:10 - 5:00: Speakers
• 5:00 - 6:00: Chapter meetings
• 6:00 - 7:00: Dinner on your own
• 7:00: Loveland Corn Roast
• Repeat showing of In Search of a Dream at the Rialto Theater

Saturday, August 22:

• 7:00 - 5:00: Field trips
      > Greeley and the Four Forts
      > Cherokee Trail, Loveland to Wyoming
      > Denver Public Library and Colorado History Museum
      > Colorado mining towns
• 6:00 - 9:00: Closing Dinner - location to be announced

Convention Site	The Ranch Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex 5280 Arena Circle Loveland, Colorado (Exit 259 on I-25) Phone: (970) 619-4000
Convention Host Hotel	Best Western Crossroads Inn &  Conference Center 5542 East U.S. Highway 34 (Exit 257B on I-25) Loveland, Colorado  (970) 667-7810       The Best Western is offering special rates  for those attending the OCTA convention. Special convention rates  are also available at: Candlewood Suites 6046 East Crossroads Boulevard  (Exit 259 on I-25) Loveland, Colorado (970) 667-5444

Email: octa@indepmo.org
Website: www.octa-trails.org

Online registration will be available after March 31, 2009

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