Old West Christmas Fest Celebrates 15 Years

OVANDO - For the past 15 years, Ovando has welcomed Cowboy Claus to talk with all the children who have come to town to get their faces painted, make gingerbread houses, try their hands at ax throwing and go for a sleigh ride.

This year, the Old West Christmas Fest moved from its traditional Thanksgiving weekend to Dec. 5 and brought back its Bite of Ovando Christmas Fest Cook-off with meatloaf on the menu.

While there were fewer children to visit with Cowboy Claus than in years past, the town was still a bustle of activity. One of the all-time favorites for many is the gingerbread house makin...