Christmasfest in Rangely set for this weekend

RANGELY I Rangely Christmasfest activities kicked off this week, with the main events this Friday and Saturday.
This year’s “Candyland-themed Christmas,” put on by the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (WRBM), began with a scavenger hunt Tuesday and ramps up Friday with free gingerbread man decorating from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the recreation center. The activity is first-come, first-served.
On Friday, local businesses, including Sweetbriar, The Pottery Shop and Coconut Cove Tanning, will open from 6 to 8 p.m. for an evening of shopping in Candyland. During the evening, Wade Allred will give sleigh rides leaving from the Main Street Café. Caroling may also be available.
Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. at the Blue Mountain Inn and Suites lobby, where the return of breakfast with Santa includes a free hot breakfast, photographs with Santa and a gift for each child.
Saturday afternoon, the Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) Colorado Room will be home to a variety of events, beginning with the Christmasfest craft fair from noon to 5 p.m. and gingerbread man contest judging at 1 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m., the Christmasfest Senior King and Queen will be crowned followed by the Snowflake Baby Contest at 2 p.m., an event that drew approximately 25 children dressed in their finest holiday gear last year. Children from birth to age 5 may participate.

At 6 p.m., the Rangely Parade of Lights begins on Stanolind Avenue and ends at CNCC. The weekend wraps up with a chili benefit dinner for Aveahna Klein and the recreation center’s dance recital at 7:30 p.m. in the CNCC Colorado Room (for chili, please bring a minimum $5 donation per person).
Sponsors, businesses and individuals bringing Christmasfest to residents this year include Allred, the Blue Mountain Inn and Suites, Rocky Mountain Well Service, First National Bank of the Rockies and C&J Field Services, WRBM aquatics/recreation director Camilla Kennedy said.