By Mary Jo Coulehan
Pagosa Springs Area
Chamber of Commerce
It is a magical time of year in Pagosa Springs. Wishing for just a little more snow and the town decorated so beautifully, we are a picture postcard. There are a number of organizations hosting free, fun family events all throughout the month. Is your calendar marked for one of these festivities?
We start off the month with the 16th annual Festival of Trees being held at the Ross Aragon Community Center Dec. 1 and 2. Dec. 1 is the free viewing and voting for the trees. The doors will be open for the viewing and voting from noon until 6 p.m. You can get a picture with Santa from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and coffee while you take time to view all the exquisitely decorated trees. The Festival of Trees auction will be held on Dec. 2 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. There will be live music, food and a cash bar along with the auction. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Community Center or by calling (970) 264-4152.
Centerpoint Church hosts its free Main Street Bethlehem event Dec. 1-3. This event takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each night and is free to the public. Bethlehem in Pagosa will take place at the church at 2750 Cornerstone Drive. Explore the marketplace and follow the street to meet the child. Enjoy this inspirational and creative event.
Also on the first weekend of December there will be a Holiday Market held at the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in the Community Center. The bazaar will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Admission is free, although there will be lots of opportunities for you to purchase handmade items such as jewelry, clothing art, food items and much more. Enjoy some free hot spiced cider as you peruse the products.
From Dec. 9-11, the Pagosa Springs Community Choir will present its “Sing We Now of Christmas” annual Christmas concert. This moving musical event features Pagosa’s local vocal talent. This free concert will be held at Pagosa Springs High School. On Dec. 9 and 10 the concert will be held at 7 p.m. and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Donations are gratefully accepted; however, this event is free to the community. Don’t miss this inspirational concert celebrating the holiday season.
Another free admission Holiday Makers Fair will take place on Dec. 10 at the Pagosa Springs High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music, gift wrapping, food and drinks available at this market. The Pagosa Community Initiative is the host of this event featuring wonderful handcrafted items from local artisans. Get some holiday shopping done.
The Old Fashioned Christmas walk will be held on Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. This event was such a resounding success last year for its inaugural showing that it is back with even more festivities planned. Come out and walk along the Riverwalk and enjoy booths sponsored by different businesses and organizations. Enter for free to win a Red Ryder BB Gun, enjoy live music, games, giveaways, a hot air balloon glow, hot chocolate and cider, and much more as you walk along the route including Town Park, Mary Fisher Park and the Riverwalk. Hot Springs Boulevard from Hermosa to San Juan Street will be closed to accommodate the pedestrian traffic.
This next activity can be done in stages and is definitely a family-fun event. Get out into the community from now until Dec. 31 and enjoy all the holiday lights that Pagosa has to offer from a business and residential vantage point. If you would like to vote for your favorite display or home, you will need to do so by midnight on Dec. 18. There are 32 total entries, so you’ll need some time to view all the contestants. There is a new category this year — storefront windows. As you drive around, you can vote directly on your phone. Get the app from your app store of choice by looking for the “Visit Pagosa Springs” app. After downloading the app, click on “Tours” and then the Holiday Lights Tour. All the businesses and homes are mapped out for you. After viewing, vote for your favorite display. Only one vote per email account is accepted, and remember to vote in all three categories.
Between events, holiday parties and shopping local, there is so much for you and your family to do this season, and so many activities are free. As mentioned, don’t forget to shop local and support your friends and neighbors who live and work in Pagosa year-round and support this community through their tax dollars and many nonprofit contributions.
Mark your calendars and enjoy the holiday season here in Pagosa Springs.
