Fireworks, competitive barbecue added to 2017 Septemberfest

RANGELY | As Rangely gears up for another Labor Day weekend Septemberfest celebration, the Western Rio Blanco Recreation District is prepared to up the ante this year with several new offerings including fireworks and a barbecue cook-off.
The Open Barbecue Contest will take place at Elks Park and begins Saturday at 8 a.m. with judging occurring at 3 p.m. Contestants will vie for the barbecue championship by cooking whatever meat they best prepare barbecue style. According to the Recreation District this event was requested by participants in the annual Fourth of July Rib Cook-Off who were looking to branch out.
Saturday evening will feature the first annual Rangely OldTimers and Alumni Gathering. From 4-7 p.m. the Rangely Outdoor Museum will host a picnic style dinner and presentation with Ken Bailey, former Rangely resident, “Energy Girl” cartoonist and self described “Oil Geek,” who will discuss The Birth of the Boom. The event costs $38 which includes dinner and a year-long membership to Rangely OldTimers.
This year’s annual Labor Day concert in the park will feature the country and rock music stylings of Jacob Christopher. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the softball field in Elks Park. Concert goers should bring their blankets and chairs to get comfortable while they kick back and enjoy the upbeat party mix of country, rock and pop music.
Following the concert, the Recreation District will be shooting off fireworks, truly ending Septemberfest 2017 with a bang.