Get ready for the 60th running of Colorama, May 6-8, with a special guide to the event inside this issue of The Star.

There's a big parade, a rodeo, craft booths with food and gift ideas, and a newcomer - The Fun Zone - an inflatable event of its own, providing fun for all ages.

And if that isn't enough, you can take a helicopter ride and get a bird's eye view of the fun.

A beer tent and a cowboy saloon will be featured - the latter for the Ridge Rider's Colorama Rodeo, and the former sponsored by the chamber of commerce down at North Dam Park.

The new Fun Zone, supplied by Jump N2 Fun, will be located on the grass at Banks Lake Park, next to North Dam Park.

The Colorama Festival Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7. Arrive on the Midway early to get a good parking spot.

The Ridge Riders Pro-West Rodeo kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday and continues with a 3 p.m. schedule on Saturday.

Nearly 70 booths of food and crafts open Friday and run until dusk, then open at 10 a.m., again Saturday with the same hours.

A chamber-sponnsored beer garden at North Dam Park opens Thursday from 5-9 p.m., Friday from 5-10 and Saturday 3-10. The "Rattlesnake Saloon" at the Rodeo Grounds is open along the same hours as the rodeo.

Helicopter rides will be available at the softball field on Friday, 11 a.m. to dusk, Saturday, 11 a.m to dusk and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Get your Colorama button and get in line for some great prizes at a special 1 p.m. drawing Saturday at the gazebo North Dam Park.

See the special Colorama news section in today's newspaper.