The tradition that originally began as Tombstone's 50th anniversary has launched into the city's largest and proudest tradition, and many are looking forward to the festivities Oct. 15-17.

"Helldorado Days is extremely important for Tombstone," said Ken Stuart, a Tombstone native and potential participant in the Helldorado Days parade. "This is like our Christmas."

Stuart expressed the extreme significance Helldorado Days has for the city, both
traditionally as well as financially.

"It's been a pretty slow summer compared to other years, so Helldorado Days is really going to help us out," he said. "This is where our money is made."

David Hight, a participant in the historical reenactments at Six Gun City restaurant, explained that Helldorado Days doesn't just happen, lots of preparation goes into putting on a successful weekend.

"The visitors triple during Helldorado Days, maybe 6,000 a day, so everyone has to step it up," he said. "It's a big tradition and a lot to learn, so everyone right now is doing a lot of practice."

Because this has been such a long lasting tradition, Tombstone calls for the best
performers it can find, often searching outside the city's borders.

"Right now, we've been inviting troops from all over," Hight said. "People have been called in from Yuma and parts of California. We want to get the best."

In addition to bringing in new performers, Stuart explained that each individual has to get into the mindset of the 1800s in order to successfully prepare for Helldorado Days.

"Everyone is constantly meeting at the town hall practicing skits," he said. "It helps out that everyone is meeting together because that way you can prepare for what is going to be acted out during the actual show."

Stuart explained that everyone takes Helldorado Days very seriously, so the preparation that goes into having a productive weekend is more like actors rehearsing for a Broadway play.

Danny Sweeney, a participant in various Helldorado Days events, explained that this festival is more than just a yearly occurrence, it is the strongest tie Tombstone has to the Old West.

"[Helldorado Days] is one of the cornerstones of the city because it gets people talking about the city and remembering the old times," he said.

Of all the expected events to take place, Sweeney is perhaps most excited for the parade that wraps up the weekend.

"I'm going to be wearing a whole bunch of stage makeup, dressed in ghost face, looking like a ghoul. It's a matter of building up the fun and making everything more exciting," he said. "Everyone is very serious about Helldorado Days. There are good people working, so it's going to be a success."

J.R. McGowan, a writer for the Arizona Reporter and creator of the Helldorado Days website, is dedicated to spreading the word of the annual event. He explains that, while Helldorado Days is important for Tombstone, it's also a great
educational experience for the rest of the country.

"It's a celebration of an era and a town that's still too tough to die," McGowan said. "It's a celebration of Tombstone's heritage and a simpler, though more brutal, way of life."

McGowan emphasized the word brutal because, in order to successfully reenact the ways of the 1800s, guns play a central part in that role. As a result, he uses the Helldorado Days website as a way of reminding locals as well as tourists about gun safety.

"Gun ordinances are the No. 1 safety concern," he said. "Tombstone expects to see a holster on a hip or two. The local marshal and his deputies will remind you that firearms of any kind are not allowed in certain establishments."

His reminders are in response to the bill Gov. Jan Brewer signed in April allowing people in Arizona to carry concealed weapons without the requirement of a permit.

Although an exact Helldorado schedule is not complete, the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce has planned for reenactments, street entertainment, fashion shows, a carnival, live music, a beard contest and a parade on Sunday to complete the weekend.

"It's going to be a great weekend," Sweeney said. "It sure is going to be a lot of fun."

Around the Town

Corvettes and Ghost Riders
Today and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Highlights:
• Wagon train caravan
• Rustler’s Corral
• Car Show
• Poker Rally

81st Annual Helldorado Days
Oct. 15 - 17
Highlights:

• Chili Cook-off

• Street performances

• Sunday parade
• Cowboy Walkdown

Tombstone Gun Show
Oct. 16 - 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Old Tombstone High School
• Guns, knives and jewelry

Increased Event Security

• 100 percent citation, no tolerance speeding enforcement on the highway.
• No highway parking.
• Lighted signs saying to watch for pedestrians.
• More signs to direct people to parking.
Bringing in help:
• Agents from the Get ‘Em gang task force to handle the bikers.
• Deputies from Cochise County to help patrolling.
• Posted Arizona Rangers to lend eyes and ear, and watch for shoplifters.