A Song for the Generations
By Becky Saunders, Las Vegas

"We're goin' to Helldorado! We're goin' to Helldorado!
H-E-L-L-D-O-R-A-D-O!!!!"

I think my mom taught me that song when I was 7. At least, I've been singing it for a long time! My mom and her two brothers (all passed on now) told me some great stories about Helldorado Days in the 1950s when they were kids.

My uncle's favorite memory was getting to see Jane Mansfield in a Helldorado parade. My mom's first kiss was from "a real cowboy" after a Helldorado rodeo. My own first date, with a boy named Ricky, was at a Helldorado carnival when I was 13 in 1982. I love and miss Helldorado Days. They were so exciting! My friends and I always looked forward to going to the carnivals.

I never stopped singing that Helldorado song because of the good memories it brings me. I've even taught it to my husband who is from upstate New York and has never seen one Helldorado day in his life! But guess what? Come May, 2005, "We're goin' to Helldorado! We're goin' to Helldorado! H-E-L-L-D-O-R-A-D-O!!!"

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!
Posted 6/23/04