The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes that community events encourage visitors to come to the Valley, spend a little time and maybe spend a little cash. These community projects help our local economy.

The Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon and Art Festival is coming this weekend. Stop by the Visitor Center and purchase your tickets for the Balloons and Boots festivities on Saturday night: dinner, dancing, silent auction, all in support of the Medicine Horse Center. One more Grand Summer Nights will mean that galleries will be open later and visitors can browse through all the galleries and shops in town. The Art Fest will be open on Saturday and the VC has been an information distribution center for that event. The Chamber also sponsors the first ever Mancos Cash Mob Saturday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m., at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters.

The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce announces that grant applications are available for the 2013 funding cycle. Each year the Chamber of Commerce funds community events, programs or projects through the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce Grant. In past years the Chamber of Commerce has funded the Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon and Art Festival, the Sugar Pine Ranch Rally, Chicken Creek Nordic Ski Area, Four Corners Recycles, the Mancos Valley Chorus, and 4th of July fireworks, to name a few.

Be aware that all funding for proposals is contingent upon availability of funds. The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce will fund those projects and programs that provide some benefit to the Mancos Valley and promote tourism. Grant applicants must use the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce Grant Application and apply each year for projects they wish the Chamber to fund. Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed by Nov. 1.

Interested persons can pick up an application at the Chamber of Commerce at 101 E. Bauer or call to have one sent or e-mailed. The Chamber telephone number is 533-7434.If an individual would like to have an application e-mailed they can make a request at [email protected].