Rangely, Stories

Septemberfest blends the old, new and revamped

The big fun this weekend will be Rangely’s annual Septemberfest, running Friday through Monday with a wide variety of fun, food and activities, celebrating Labor Day.
The big fun this weekend will be Rangely’s annual Septemberfest, running Friday through Monday with a wide variety of fun, food and activities, celebrating Labor Day.
RANGELY I Whether you’re new to Labor Day weekend Septemberfest activities or returning for a second or third decade, expect a blend of traditional favorites, revamped versions of repeat events and fresh activities in the mix this year.
Saturday’s bike rally and chili cook off rank among the tried and true events residents have come to expect as quintessentially Septemberfest, along with the Uintah Railroad Tour headed up by local historian Rodger Polley.
The fourth annual Rock ‘N’ Bulls bull riding event wraps up Saturday night, with the Rangely Outdoor Museum ice cream social in its usual Sunday afternoon slot.
Monday is still Septemberfest’s biggest day, with the fireman’s pancake breakfast starting at 6:30 a.m. Beginning at 10 a.m., Septemberfest staples are in full swing: the craft fair will host upwards of 80 vendors, the car show displays a mix of classic favorites and late-model hot rods, and the community barbecue hosted by the Elks Club is still just a $2 minimum per plate. The long-running student council duck race wraps up the day at 5 p.m.
Other events have a fresh look to them, like the Buzzard 5K becoming the Fast, Flat and Free 5K, so named because it’s a hill-free jaunt from Elks Park up River Road and back and because there’s no registration fee to join.
Activities we’ve seen in the past, like the mud tug o’ war, fall under this year’s new “Down and Dirty” event, a set of challenges that includes a muddy dip ‘n’ dash obstacle course — think Warrior Dash, Rangely-style — the 5K and a bench press contest new to the scene this year. A Down ‘n’ Dirty T-shirt is available with any or all events for $15.
What has been the Doo-Dah Parade for several years running is the Star-Spangled Parade this year. Participants show up in red, white and blue at the Rangely Fire Hall at 8 a.m., with the parade start scheduled at 9 a.m. No pre-registration is necessary.
Activities new to Septemberfest last year will make a comeback this weekend, like the cardboard boat races at the camper park ponds following Sunday’s ice cream social. Go to the recreation center to pick up a list of rules and guidelines.
A magician sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts will entertain the community on Friday night this year rather than on Monday, followed by a 7 p.m. Rangely High School football game against Dove Creek.
Happenings new to Septemberfest this year include New Creation Church hosting a 6 p.m. Sunday service and pig roast at Elks Park. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments or skits to add to worship and can bring a side dish if they’d like, organizer Elaine Urie said.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, residents and Elks Club members can compete in a trap shoot while the Elks roast meat for Monday afternoon’s barbecue. To join in, show up at the trap club on Dragon Road, where boxes of shells can be purchased for $7 each.
The Elks will host a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament at the same place Sunday evening; buy-in is $10 with participants asked to bring their own beer.
A big addition to this year’s schedule is the Colorado Springs-based Justin Lane Band playing Monday afternoon. Deemed a cross between country music’s Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, the band has played at the Elway Summer Concert Series and the Taste of Colorado Festival this year.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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