April is a tough month here in Pagosa Springs. This month has been even harder with the start of the U.S. 160 construction project.
However, April is now behind us, and there is so much opportunity in front of us. Let’s start with the downtown businesses. There will be lots of activity and opportunities coming up this summer for you to support our downtown merchants. I continue to hear about avoiding downtown completely. That is not the attitude to take.
Commit to coming downtown at least once a week to shop, eat, see a movie or check out the construction progress.
The downtown Chamber businesses will host their annual Business Happy Hour on May 23. This event is tons of fun with lots of giveaways from the stores, and participants have the opportunity to visit the new stores and see what is happening in the established stores.
Support our downtown businesses by attending this event if you are a Chamber member or work for a Chamber member business. The businesses are also working on a number of ways to encourage you to shop downtown. Stay tuned for some exciting promotions and events. Coming soon will also be more definitive signage about where to park, where to cross the highway safely and where to access the businesses. Commit to supporting, not avoiding.
The Chamber still has 12-inch hanging baskets available for sale.
While many people think we sell out quickly, we have increased our order almost every year. So, if you did not get in to order when the announcement was first made, you’re still in luck and can order these beautiful baskets. Visit www.pagosachamber.com and click on the flower graphic to take you to the registration page.
A number of nonprofit agencies are also using this spring season to host their annual fundraising banquets or parties.
On May 2, Build Pagosa will host its annual auction at the Ross Aragon Community Center. There will be fabulous food, as well as unique live and silent auction items on the auction block. You can purchase tickets at www.buildpagosa.org/annual-auction/.
Build Pagosa is the community’s career and technical education support program. It is in the final stretch to start building the new regional workforce center. Support its efforts and thereby the community’s efforts to increase availability to career education and advancement.
On May 17, you can relive or revamp your high school prom memories by attending the Pagosa Community Initiative’s Second Chance Prom.
This organization supports community after-school and summer programming, family services and emergency funding. This fun event is themed Denim and Diamonds this year, and you can vote for your favorite king and queen of the Second Chance Prom, even if you can’t attend the event. Go to https://www.pagosacommunityinitiative.org/event-details/second-chance-prom-2025 to purchase tickets or vote for one of the team royalty members.
The Chamber is preparing for our traditional summer events with the Car Show occurring on South 5th Street at Yamaguchi Park June 13 and 14, the Park to Park Artisan Market downtown at the town parks over the Fourth of July holiday from July 3-6, and ColorFest, which will also be held in Yamaguchi Park Sept. 19 and 20.
We will also be producing a new event on Aug. 23 called Grillin’ and Distillin’. This will be a BBQ cook-off for commercial and backyard BBQers and tasting distilled spirits from around Colorado and New Mexico. Stay tuned for more news about this exciting event to be held at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds.
There is a lot to prepare for this upcoming spring/summer season. Make sure you get out there to support one of the many great programs and fun events hosted by our nonprofit and business community.
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