Of all the months, event season really seems to culminate in August.
With the month always beginning with the Archuleta County Fair, this year July 31 through Aug. 3, almost every weekend has one big event or another.
The Chamber was able to fill one of those weekends this year with an event we hope to grow in the upcoming years just as we have ColorFest.
That event is Grillin’ and Distillin’, which will be held at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds on Aug. 23.
We are looking for backyard BBQers to participate. We know you are out there, and we know family and friends rave about your grilling sensations. Now is the time to show your grilling prowess locally at the Grillin’ and Distillin’ event.
Applications for this event are on the Chamber’s website, www.pagosachamber.com. There will be bragging rights and also prizes. We also have some great distilleries joining us at this inaugural event. So, whether you are a BBQ enthusiast or a spirit or whiskey fan, we have both tastes covered. There will also be live music with a Pagosa favorite, Tylor Brandon, and SolOverLuna, who rocked the tent last year at ColorFest.
Tickets for this event for either the tasting or general admission are available online at www.pagosachamber.com.
Back to the county fair: Volunteer slots are still available for a myriad of positions. This is a great way to give back to the community and enjoy the county fair as well. With your volunteer position you get entered into a drawing for some cool prizes, as well as admission to the event of your choice when you complete a shift. Again, this a great way to enjoy the activities and help out. Don’t miss the annual 4-H Chuckwagon BBQ followed by the Livestock Show on Saturday, Aug. 2. But there is so much more to the fair than just these highlighted events, including lots of activities for kids, rodeos, vendors, exhibits and live performances.
Also in August is Seeds of Learning’s Dancing with the Pagosa Stars, to be held on Aug. 16 at the Ross Aragon Community Center. This year’s stars include community leaders and business owners: Nicole DeMarco, Cindi Galabota, Matt Kossler, Ben Lawrence, Ernesto Renteria and Callie Skinner. You don’t want to miss out on tickets. Even if you can’t go to the event, support the organization by voting for one of the stars mentioned. Vote at www.DWTPS.org. Vote often and with a lot of dollars.
Another nonprofit event is the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado’s Labor Day Kickoff Concert on Aug. 28 at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club from 5 to 7 p.m. The live music will be Soul Fire.
The Community Foundation will again be granting $10,000 to an Archuleta County nonprofit. This is a major gift for one of our nonprofits, so come and support the activities that contribute to this gift and many other grants that the Community Foundation is engaged in.
Live music also continues in August with ComFest on Aug. 15 at Yamaguchi Park with Band Kamp. Don’t miss out on this free musical event hosted by the Town of Pagosa Springs Parks and Recreation Department.
On Aug. 27, the Wednesday Wine Walk supporting the downtown businesses will also take place. Tickets for this event are only $10 and people can enjoy shopping and sipping wine from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. along the 400 block of Pagosa Street. Come out and support our downtown businesses who are affected by the construction project. All proceeds go to the Downtown Construction Grant Program.
With the weather in the evenings being a mild, comfortable temperature, we should be getting out enjoying all the free and low-cost activities provided for us.
This article is only about the events in August — wait for September. And, remember, ColorFest tickets are also on sale for the Friday night Passport to Pagosa or Saturday’s Bands and Brews event. Visit www.pagosachamber.com for more information and tickets.
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