September 19-22 celebrates ColorFest weekend for 2019. This year, we are excited to again partner with community organizations and one new agency as it adds its own bit of color to the weekend festivities.
Even before the actual event begins, there is a lot of prep that goes into getting ready, especially infrastructure. In an effort to demonstrate the community involvement necessary in events such as ColorFest and to engage our younger generation in community projects, we are partnering with the Pagosa Springs Middle School seventh-grade class. It will be helping us with infrastructure preparation for the athletic field. Along with physical work, the students are learning about the economic impact, planning and preparation, and more. We hope to build on this learning experience in future years.
Then, beginning on Thursday evening, the Pagosa Springs Arts Council hosts the Mosaic Project Extravaganza with individual artistic tiles comprising the mosaic. Professional, amateur and just interested parties have donated stunningly colorful tiles to this project. Your $35 ticket allows you to obtain a tile, randomly numbered to match your ticket number. The evening will also consist of heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and live music. The event will take place at the Arts Council’s new building at 197 Navajo Trail Drive. While at the event, view the Rise Above Violence art display for its upcoming event, Art Above Violence, on Oct. 5. Tickets for the Mosaic Project Extravaganza are available online at www.ps-artscouncil.org or at the Chamber.
On Saturday morning, two returning ColorFest activities will occur. Breakfast with Balloons, held at the Goethermal Greenhouse Partnership site in Centennial Park, will take place beginning at 7:30 a.m. Get your ringside seat and watch the hot air balloons mass ascend and fly right overhead. A gourmet breakfast, live music and lots of color will take place. You can purchase your tickets online at www.pagosagreen.org or at the Chamber of Commerce.
Beginning at 8 a.m., Rise Above Violence’s Color Run/Walk commences. Travel along the Riverwalk and the downtown area and view the balloons as you get “colorized” along the way. Registration for this event is at www.riseaboveviolence.org.
There are many other activities occurring this weekend, including the hot air balloon mass ascensions, the Passport to Pagosa Wine and Food Festival on Friday night, the Bands and Brews Festival on Saturday afternoon, and the drawing for the Pagosa Adventure Package raffle. You do not need to be present to win the package; however, you do need to purchase a ticket. Online ticket sales have been cut off, but you can still purchase tickets at the Visitor Center or at the Chamber events throughout the weekend up until the time of the drawing.
We also encourage our attendees to be safe at all the events. Consider booking a ride with one of Pagosa’s transportation companies and leave the driving to them.
For more information about ColorFest activities, please refer to the article that accompanies this week’s PREVIEW cover.
Business After Hours Lottery
The Chamber will be opening up the lottery to host a 2020 Business After Hours (BAH) on Oct. 1. Watch for next week’s Chamber article for a few changes being made to the program. We want our businesses to have the best event and experience and have our attendees also have a great experience.
If you are interested in hosting a BAH, start thinking about three possible months you would like to bid for, who will be preparing your food, if you could team up with another business and some marketing ideas. Business After Hours do not take place in January and September due to other major Chamber events. For more information about hosting a BAH, contact Rick Artis, membership coordinator.
Membership news
Welcome new members Java the Cup and Sushi Fusion.
Our renewing members this week include La Plata Electric Association, Team Pagosa Realty Group, Just Click Printing, Sunset Ranch Cabins, Pagosa Springs Timeshare Rentals, Payment Logistics and Associates Insurance Group.
Welcome to ColorFest all our visitors, balloon pilots and locals and enjoy the cooler weather and the stunning balloon scenes as our balloonists light up the morning skies with colorful balloon envelopes against the backdrop of the mountains, lakes and downtown area.
