By Marianne Griffin
There is a lot going on as preparations are made for the Balloon Festival, Art Fest and Street Fair.
Volunteers are still needed to help balloon pilots launch and recover their balloons. The Balloon Festival begins on Friday, Sept. 26 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 28. The balloons launch very early each morning. So, all you potential volunteers dress warm and be ready to gather at Boyle Park in the wee hours of the morning. It's fun and exciting to be a part of the festival. Call 970-560-0259 to volunteer.
The "Grand Summer Nights" is Friday, Sept. 26. Galleries will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join friends and neighbors on Grand Avenue for refreshments and good old Mancos hospitality.
The Art Fest and Street Fair will be on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There's still room for artists to sign up for a booth. A variety of vendors selling clothing, home goods or handcrafts are invited to participate. Volunteers are needed for the Street Fair - if you're interested, call the Visitor Center at 970-533-7434.
The Street Fair will include music all day, arts and crafts, face painting and balloon sculpting. Plus, you might be able to get some early holiday shopping done. Shops and galleries will be open, and there will be food vendors to help keep up your energy. There will be merriment on Grand Avenue all day.
The Visitor Center has tickets available for the annual "Pilots and Heroes" dinner Saturday, Sept. 27. Tickets are $20 each. There will be music, dancing and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit a veteran's program, "Operation Second Chance."
After the Balloon and Art Fest passes through the Mancos Valley, activity slows down, and we begin to prepare for the winter. The Visitor Center won't be open on Saturdays. On Monday, Nov. 3, the Visitor Center starts its winter hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The Balloon Festival marks our last blast of the season. Come to town for a little fun.
Marianne Griffin is the director of the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce .valley.com, chamber@mancosvalley.com or call 533-7434.