2026 Boulder City Chautauqua: Spark of a New Nation

"2026 Boulder City Chautauqua" - In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Ihla Crowley, Project Director for the Boulder City Chautauqua. Ihla shares how the organization brings history to life through immersive living history performances, gearing up for this year's theme, "Spark of a New Nation," in honor of America's 250th anniversary.

Ihla opens up about the rich history of Chautauqua in Boulder City—from its humble beginnings iun 1992 under a tent in Bicentennial Park to its evolution today. She details the intense dedication of historical scholars, how themes and characters like Martha Washington, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton are chosen, and how community support, silent auctions, and volunteers keep this beloved educational tradition thriving.

DISCUSSION

1. Boulder City Chautauqua & "Spark of a New Nation": Celebrating nearly 35 years of living history with portrayals of Martha Washington, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton honoring America's 250th anniversary.
2. The Art of Historical Scholars: Highlighting the incredible research and background of scholars like Katharine Pittman (Martha Washington), Dr. Hal Bidlack (Alexander Hamilton), and Terry Lynch (Paul Revere).
3. 35 Years of Boulder City History: Recalling Chautauqua's origins in 1992 with the Chamber of Commerce, early days in a tent at Bicentennial Park, and moving to the Boulder Theater.
4. Funding & Community Support: Navigating grant transitions with the Nevada Arts Council and raising funds through community support and private foundations.
5. Custom Chautauqua Quilt Silent Auction: Featuring a unique fundraising quilt crafted by Kim Madrazo and quilted by Jessica Whitaker of Silver State Stitch Shop using past event t-shirts.
6. The 20-20-20 Chautauqua Format: Explaining the interactive three-part structure of performances featuring monologue, in-character Q&A, and out-of-character scholar Q&A.
7. Youth Involvement & Volunteer Service: Encouraging school involvement, youth education, and calling for community volunteers and committee members.
8. Event Details & Ticket Bundles: Sharing schedule information for the October event at Boulder Creek Pavilion, special ticket bundle savings, and the Thursday night meet-and-greet dinner.

LEARN MORE

For more information about Boulder City Chautauqua, visit https://www.bcchautauqua.org/

Purchase your tickets online for the Boulder City Chautauqua for 2026 at
https://bcc-2026.ticketbud.com/

In-Person Ticket Purchase Options:

Ace Hardware, 541 Nevada Way
Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona Street
BC Chamber of Commerce, 100 Nevada Way
(check or cash only please at these locations)

To learn more about the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, visit their website at https://www.bouldercitychamber.com

KEYWORDS

Ihla Crowley, Boulder City Chautauqua, Boulder City, Historical Scholars, Living History, America 250, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, The Best Dam Podcast

#IhlaCrowley #BoulderCityChautauqua #BoulderCity #LivingHistory #America250 #LocalHistory #ArtsAndCulture #TheBestDamPodcast #Chautauqua