This is the fourth year for the Mancos Melt and this one sounds like a lot of fun! The theme this year is "Day of the Living Dead", with vampires and zombies.

How scary can you get?

A new event this year is the Spring Hoedown on Saturday evening at the Mancos Opera House. Come and learn how to square dance and listen to good music.

All cash proceeds will go to the Mancos Heritage Project.

Prized donations have been given from Olio Wine bar, Kenebec Cafe, Seasons, Cyprus Cafe, Eno Wine Bar, Strater Hotel, General Palmer Hotel, Rochester Hotel, Sundance Bear Lodge, Flagstone Meadows Lodge, The Glacier Club, Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Hillcrest Golf Club, Conquistador Golf Club, Galloping Husky Ranch, Painted Turtle, Beehive, with many more yet to come.

Here is the schedule of events for the weekend:

Wednesday, March 13



Snow Show - a snow-inspired all media exhibit at the Mancos Town Gallery. The artist's reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Mancos Valley Arts Council. Talk to Marilyn Kroeker or call 533-7149 for more information.



Thursday, March 14



Wine tasting - The costume kick-off will be at Olio's at 114 West Grand Ave. from 5 to 8 p.m. with a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. There will be prizes for the best vampire or zombie costume. The cost is $20 per person. Call Jason Blankenship at 533-1381 for more information.



Friday, March 15



Fashion Show - The Millwood Junction Restaurant will be having a costume show, skit and talent contest at 5:30 p.m. It's time to show off your best vampire or zombie costume and be a part of a skit. Anything goes! Call Adriene Ratican at 533-7686 or Victoria Peterson at 799-3434 for more information.

Costume Karaoke Contest - Then, the Columbine Bar will have a Costume Karaoke contest at 8 p.m.



Saturday, March 16



Pancake Breakfast - Start off your day with pancakes at the Masonic Lodge, 141 E. Montezuma, from 8 to 10 a.m. For $5 you get all you can eat and donate money to the Montezuma School to Farm Project and Pay It Forward Fund (a fund established by Mancos Valley Resource to offer assistance to Mancos Valley residents in need of support of an unexpected medical situation.) Call Sarah Syverson at 970-903-8831 for more information.

Critter Parade - The Critter Parade, on Grand Avenue, will start at 10 a.m. and will go from Mesa to Main. Dress yourself and your critter as a vampire or zombie. All animals are welcome as well as decorated stick horses. All you have to do is sign up at Pioneer Park on Mesa Street at 9:30 a.m. Contact Leslie Hopkins at 970-238-0034 for more information. There will be prizes for the best costume.

Scavenger Hunt - At 10:30, right after the parade, there will be a Kids Scavenger Hunt at the library. Call Lee Hallberg at 533-7569 for more information.

Roping/Hula Hoop context - On Grand Ave. kids can get even more involved with the roping and hula hoop contests.

Bird Feeder Contest - The bird feeder contest will be at Raven House Gallery, 120 Grand Ave., for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate at Raven House. Bring in your best bird feeder art! Judging will take place on Saturday during the Mancos Melt bed races. Feeders will be filled with seed and displayed outside of the gallery during open hours. The deadline for an entry is Friday, March 15. Call Marilyn Kroeker at 533-7149 for more information.

Bed Races - The annual Mancos Melt bed races will be in front of 114 Grand Ave. from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The beds are pushed down the street with one member on the bed, while they all participate in an obstacle course. The beds will be provided by Rustic Style Furniture. The race will be sponsored by local businesses and individuals. All proceeds will go to the beautification of Mancos. The winning team will be awarded prizes. Costumes are encourage. The cost is $50 per 5-person team. The deadline is 11 a.m., March 16, at Olio's. Or you can reserve your spot early with Rena Wilson at [email protected].

Chili Cook-off - The Artisan's of Mancos is having a chili cook-off at their gallery at 11 a.m. Come and enjoy the different versions of chili, lovingly prepared by the artisans.

Golf Tournament - The golf tournament will begin at Olio's and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. It's not to be missed. Golf and costumes make this a guaranteed fun time. Each hole is located in a different downtown establishment, created by some of the hottest Mancos course designers. Meet at Olio's at 12:30 in costume to receive your score cards and assignments for the shotgun start. Bring your own putter and golf ball. The cost is $20 per team of two people. You can sign up early at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters or at [email protected]. The teams will record their best ball at each hole. There is cash and prizes for the winner. The awards ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Columbine Bar. Call Rena Wilson at 533-1381 or Jamie Bade at 533-1177 for more information. There will be holes in the following locations: Olio, Coldwell Banker, Mancos Flea Market, Painted Turtle Studio, Columbine, Geek's on Grand, Fahrenheit Coffee, VFW, Raven House Gallery, Ian's Distillery, Millwood Junction, Mancos Valley Visitors Center, Zuma Natural Foods, Mancos Liquor, Basin Motorcycle Works, P & D Grocery, Chavalos Mexican Restaurant, Kaleidoscope.

Spring Hoedown - This new event for the Mancos Melt will feature music and dancing at the Mancos Opera House from 5 to 11 p.m. It benfits the Montezuma School to Farm Project and the Pay It Forward Fund. The cost is $20 for adults and kids 17 and under are free. Call Tami Graham at 970-759-9716 for more information.

St Patrick's Day dinner - The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary will again host a corned beef and cabbage dinner at 5 p.m. until the food is gone. The cost is $8 per person, $5 for seconds. Kids under 6 are free.



Sunday, March 17



Pool Tournament - The Columbine Bar will have a pool tournament at 2 p.m.



For more information about the Mancos Melt, call Jamie Bade at 533-1177 or Rena Wilson at 749-7745.