One hundred — that's how many years Gypsum has been an official town.

Twenty-nine is how many years Gypsum Daze has celebrated the town's space on the map.

A 100th anniversary is a good time to reflect and commemorate the past, which is why the town is celebrating Gypsum Daze all week long this year.

“When Gypsum Daze started, it took place in August and it was called ‘Gypsum Rainy Daze' because it rained so much,” said Marie Sanders, the town's special projects coordinator. “About 800 to 1,200 people showed up every year and danced in the mud.”

Now, approximately 4,000 to 6,000 people come to Gypsum every year for the Gypsum Daze concert, which has featured big-name country music artists since 1997.

“People are planning vacations around Gypsum Daze concerts,” Sanders said. “The AmericInn is booked solid this year after offering a Gypsum Daze special.”

On Saturday, the Oak Ridge Boys and Eli Young Band will take the stage of Lundgren Theater.

According to the town's website, www.townofgypsum.com, Gypsum Days was initiated in 1982 by a couple of residents who coordinated the event until 1984. The torch was passed on to other organizers and, in 1985, Gypsum's then-mayor, Eldon Bindley, proclaimed the first Saturday of August as “Gypsum Days.”

“Gypsum Days” continued to be celebrated with help from current Gypsum Town Council member Pam Schultz, her daughters — Tammy and Alison — and their friends as well as volunteers from the Lutheran Church and the Gypsum Fire Protection District from 1986 to 1994.

After many years of hosting the concert in various fields and lots around town, Gypsum Town Council commissioned the construction of Lundgren Amphitheater, which has certainly fostered the growth of Gypsum Daze. The theater was made from the historic Lundgren House, which was moved from its original site and remodeled into what it is now.

Living in Gypsum

“Residents own Gypsum Daze,” Sanders said, referring to the amount of help that makes the event possible. “There is a core of about 200 volunteers who make the organization easy even though it is a big event.”

Sanders moved to Gypsum from Georgia one year ago and she is fitting in well.

“It's nice here. I like the small-town feel,” she said.

Schultz's daughter, Alison Rucker, now lives in Flagstaff, Ariz., and reflects how good it was to grow up in Gypsum.

“Looking back, Gypsum is the ideal ‘small town' to grow up in,” she said. “When I was younger, I didn't think it was very convenient to have my parents know what I was doing even before I got home. Now that I'm a mother, that's the kind of town I think ALL kids should be raised in! These days, the sense of community and neighborliness that you find in Gypsum is hard to find in other places. Although I have been away from Gypsum for 14 years, I'm still proud to consider it my home.”

Memories

Gypsum Town Council member Tom Edwards shared his thoughts and memories about Gypsum.

“My wife, Margaret, and I bought a townhouse over on York View Drive in 1989 and came and stayed in Gypsum for a month each year just to see how we would like the place.

“In 1995 we moved into our new home in Gypsum.

“Population at that time was about half of what it is today and the town hall was the old, converted gas station and repair garage on Eagle and First Street. A couple of years later, the town decided it might need a new town hall.

“I went to a meeting where they were discussing what they would do. As an architect I offered some free services to do some initial planning and in the end wound up designing the town hall and — along with the help of a friend — furnishing it also.

“After completion of the town hall, there was a vacancy on the town council. … After being elected three times, I am now on something like my 14th year on the council. My wife, Margaret, is a school teacher at Gypsum Elementary School and has been doing that for about 14 years.

“The changes to the town are amazing. Where there was no core at all when we moved here (and it's still difficult to define a commercial core), there is now a group of buildings and facilities devoted to providing the residents of Gypsum with the services, recreation, education and amenities that make Gypsum the vital and active town it is.

“With the completion of the new library, Gypsum now has a library, recreation center, outdoor theater, town hall, ball fields and grassy parks to create a core for government and activities in the town.

“With the arrival of Costco, the town has an additional source of revenue that will allow these facilities to be built and, in many cases, paid off earlier than anticipated.

“With the purchase of the Gypsum Creek Golf Course, the town has created another recreational opportunity for the residents and the valley alike at a much more affordable price than had previously existed.

“We get the good with the bad. All of these amenities are great but it also means that since I have moved here, there are three traffic lights (used to be none in 1995) and busier roads, plus more housing. The good side is that the town council was able to install a roundabout at Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 6, which allows for smoother-flowing traffic and avoids the delays encountered in places like Eagle.

“We have a market, now, where we used to have to go to Avon or Glenwood for a real market, or at least Eagle for a market where we could pick up a couple of items.

“The mosquitoes are still here and are approaching the density of the year we moved here in 1995 but that is a result of the abundance of water this year, which pays us back with the beautiful days and green hillsides that surround the town.

“There are a lot of changes but Gypsum is still one of the best places to live.”

Gypsum Daze 2011 Centennial Celebration schedule

Thursday, July 14

6 p.m. — Praise in the Park at Lundgren Theater, featuring local church praise and worship bands

Friday, July 15

11:30 a.m. — 3x3 Basketball Tourney at Gypsum Recreational Center

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Fish'n Rodeo at Gypsum Ponds

6:30 p.m. — Youth Talent Show at Lundgren Theater

9 p.m. — Free country music concert featuring Joey+Rory at Lundgren Theater

Saturday, July 16

7:30 to 11 a.m. — Pancake breakfast at Gypsum Fire Station

8 a.m. — 5K Run Walk at Town Hall Park

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Eagle County Historical Society Cemetery Tour at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Gypsum

11 a.m. — Parade on Valley Road

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Bad Mountain Boys Car Show at Gypsum Town Hall Park

• Kidz Zone free activities at Gypsum Town Hall Park

• Centennial Quilt Show at First Lutheran Church, 400 Second St.

Noon — Horseshoe Tournament at Second Street Park

12:30 p.m. — Gun Shoot Gypsum Shooting Sports Park

1 p.m. — Jalapeno Eating Contest at Gypsum Town Hall Park

7 p.m. — Eli Young Band Concert at Lundgren Theater

9 p.m. — Oak Ridge Boys Concert at Lundgren Theater

More details

Family and Faith Night

What: Live music presented by Gypsum area churches

When: Thursday, July 13

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Lundgren Theater

3x3 Basketball Tournament

When: Tournament play begins Friday, July 15

Time: Noon

Where: Gypsum Recreation Center

Details: Cash prizes are awarded to the winners. Teams must pre-register at the Gypsum Rec Center. Call 777-8888 for details or visit www.townofgypsum.com.

Family Fish' in Fun

When: Friday, July 15

Time: 4 p.m.

Where: Gypsum Ponds

Details: Free. Bring your license and fishing gear will be provided. The ponds will be stocked. Parking will be provided at Gun Club Road northwest of the Gypsum Interstate 70 interchange with a free ECO Bus shuttle. No parking will be allowed at the Gypsum Ponds. No dogs allowed on the shuttle but dogs may attend the event if they are on a leash.

Youth Talent Show

What: Competition for area youth ages 5 to 17 years.

When: Friday, July 16

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Lundgren Theater

Details: Contestants must preregister online at the town's website www.townofgypsum.com. Prizes are awarded for two age groups and for the best band. Complete contest rules are posted on the registration form. For additional information, contact Marie Sanders at (970)524-1721.

Joey+Rory Free Concert

When: Friday, July 16

Time: 9 p.m.

Where: Lundgren Theater

Firemen's Pancake Breakfast

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: 7:30 to 11 a.m.

Where: Town Hall Park

Details: Hosted by the Gypsum Fire Department, this is an all-you-can-eat feast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. Kids and seniors $3; adults $5. All proceeds from the breakfast go to the Gypsum Fire Department Scholarship Fund.

5K Run/Walk

What: Race divisions include kids, adults, elite athletes and grandparents.

When: Saturday, July 18

Time: 8 a.m. sharp shotgun start

Where: Race starts at Town Hall Park and loops through town

Details: Prizes awarded to winners by age group in addition to many door prizes for participants. Race forms are available at Town Hall and online at www.townofgypsum.com. Cost is $10 for pre-registered racers and $15 on race day and all proceeds will benefit the Gypsum Public Library.

Bad Mountain Boys Car Show

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Town Hall Park

Details: Antiques and hot rods will be on display. Awards will be presented for the top three vehicles in each class as voted on by participants. For more information, contact Gary Nestor at 524-9657 or visit www.townofgypsum.com.

Gypsum Cemetery Tour.

When: Saturday, July 16.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with break for parade).

Reservations: Tour is free, but reservations are required. Call the Gypsum Town Hall at 524-7514 starting July 1.

Details: Actors and actresses from the Porchlight Players theater group will portray community pioneers during this fun and educational tour. Hosted by the Eagle County Historical Society and Town of Gypsum.

Parking: Town Park on Second Street (shuttle will be provided to cemetery).

Check-in: Lutheran Church on Second Street.

For more information: Contact Kathy Heicher at 328-7104.

Gypsum Daze Parade

Theme: Wild West — 100 years of Gypsum

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: 11 a.m.

Where: Parade lineup begins at the Columbine Market parking lot at 9:30 a.m. with judging at 10:15 a.m. Prime viewing for spectators is along Valley Road. Registration is required for entries. Contact Marie Sanders at 524-7514 or visit the town website to download a parade form at www.townofgypsum.com.

Horseshoe Tournament

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: Immediately following the Gypsum Daze Parade.

Where: Second Street Park

Details: Cash prizes and trophies for the winners. Entry fee is $20 per team. Register by contacting Mark Silverthorn at 524-1574.

Gypsum Centennial Quilt Show

When: Saturday, July 16

Where: Lutheran Church, 400 Second St.

Time: Throughout the day

Details: Members of the High Altitude Quilting Guild will display both new and vintage quilts at the historic church. Free.

Free Kidz Zone

What: Enjoy free bouncers, face painters, crafts, balloon artists, a juggler, pony rides, bungee trampoline, rock wall, zip line and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult while playing in the Kidz Zone.

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Town Hall Park

Gun Club Shoot

When: Saturday, July 16

Where: Gypsum Shooting Sports Park, one mile west of the Gypsum, Interstate 70 exit on north frontage road.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Details: Competition will be divided in classes based on age and shooting ability. Many prizes will be awarded and a free cook-out will be served. Advanced registration is not required and the event is free.

Jalapeno Eating contest

What: The hottest event at Gypsum Daze

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: 1 p.m.

Where: Town Hall Park

Details: Bring lots of water (no alcohol). Men, women, and children's divisions. No pre-registration required, but contestants should meet at the main food tent 10 minutes before the contest begins. Cash prizes awarded to the winners. Peppers must be eaten one at a time, within a time limit.

Gypsum Daze Concert

What: Performances by the Eli Young Band and the Oak Ridge Boys

When: Saturday, July 16

Time: Eli Young Band at 7 p.m.

• Oak Ridge Boys at 9 p.m.

Where: Lundgren Theater

Details:Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 on the day of the concert. Children under age 12 age admitted for free. Online sales will charge and additional $1 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at Columbine Market in Gypsum, Alpine Bank in Eagle or Gypsum or online at www.townofgypsum.com/index.aspx.