ColorFest filled with balloons, events and winners

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Winning can be defined in many different ways. There are those who take home prizes, there are those that set a goal and accomplish that goal and there are those that just complete the “race.”

ColorFest had a range of winners this weekend; hopefully the big winner was the Pagosa community, which was again treated to skies filled with colorful balloons against stunning mountain backdrops, increased business revenue and fun times at multiple events.

The first big winner was the winner of the Pagosa Adventure Package Raffle. The family of Tyson and Kacy Snyder and their three children walked away with the “Winner Take All” package. The Snyder’s are part-time Pagosa residents with their home here and in Farmington. They will be bringing all their toys back to Pagosa to play. They said that they have never won anything before. This was quite the prize to be a first win.

At the Passport to Pagosa Wine and Food Festival, restaurants walked away with The Golden Whisk Award for their efforts in the culinary arts. The Chamber continues to be grateful to the restaurant community, without whose participation, this event would not be possible.

The big winner of the night was The Buck Stops Here, garnering the People’s Choice award for their servings of ahi tuna and filet mignon on a truffle potato croquette. The Buck Stops Here also walked away with the “Most Flavorful” award for the sesame seed-encrusted ahi tuna.

The Most Original Award went to the Peak Deli for Jillian’s Elvis cheesecake. Yes, that would be bacon in that graham cracker crust.

The Best Sweet Award went to The Choke Cherry Tree for its new sea salt caramel.

The Choke Cherry Tree also was awarded the Best Decorated Station.

We know the actual restaurants are already very busy and so to participate in this Passport event is a stretch. We acknowledge the restaurants that participated for the first time: Marconi’s, The Springs Resort and Spa Barefoot Grill, Root House Coffee and Shop, PS Chocolates, Los Dos Charros, Grass Roots Meats, The Buck Stops and Iron Dram Whiskey Lodge. All the participating restaurants were winners.

On Saturday, at the Bands and Brews event, local beer reigned king. Riff Raff Brewing garnered the People’s Choice award. However, among their peer of brewers, Santa Fe Brewing Company secured the coveted Brewers Choice award.

The day was warm and comfortable and music by Lisa Saunders and the Caborado Band and Tylor Brandon added to the festivities. The evening concluded with the glowing of three balloons in the athletic field — a magical sight.

One new volunteer activity this year was the participation of the seventh-grade middle school class. We called them our “Flash Mob” team as they set-up tables, chairs, fencing and other duties in 30 minutes. Approximately 140 students, their teachers and Principal Chris Hinger all helped out with this community event. We want to engage our younger population in what events like this mean to our organizations, the community, the economic impact and giving back to the community. The seventh-grade Pirates rocked.

For a list of sponsors, volunteers, people and businesses that helped out for this event, please see the thank you ad in next week’s SUN. For anyone we might have missed or misspelled your name, know that we didn’t miss you intentionally. We blame it on poor handwriting and poor memories to write it down. Thank you.

Membership news

Amidst the flurry of this past week’s event excitement, we did welcome one new business to Pagosa and the Chamber: BPX Durango Inc. We also welcome our renewing businesses: Ponderosa Lumber, Let It Fly and Step Outdoors.

Remember, Business After Hours sign up time is also just around the corner. Find out how you can sponsor one of these events in 2020.