Christmasfest opens Rangely holiday season

RANGELY I The Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan (WRBM) Recreation District’s chili dinner and dance recital drew more than 100 people to Colorado Northwestern Community College on Saturday night, netting more than $500 to help a local family pay for their daughter’s health care expenses.
Saturday night’s event, the culmination of the weekend’s Christmasfest activities, raised $586 for Zach and Krissy Klein’s 4-year-old daughter, Aveahna, who was diagnosed with hypocalcemia earlier this month.
Managing the disease, which has affected her bones, liver and kidneys, currently means $300 per month in vitamin supplements and a $1,900 bone scan every three months. The Kleins’ insurance covers just under $700 of the scan.

“We really do feel incredibly blessed with the outpouring of love and prayers,” Krissy Klein said.
Twenty-seven girls aged 3 years and up also performed at the event.
WRBM dance instructor Natalie Kurrasch, who has been preparing students for the recital since August, said it takes courage and focus for children to dance in front of a crowd, even if that crowd is made up of friends and loved ones.
“They did really well being on stage with that many people watching,” she said. “Sometimes when they’re practicing, you think, ‘They aren’t paying attention.’ Then they get on stage and you realize, ‘Hey, they really were listening!’”
The Christmasfest Parade of Lights kicked off Saturday evening’s activities, with approximately 10 floats. More residents turned out to watch the parade than in past years, WRBM recreation coordinator Kirsten Cushman said. WRBM will announce float competition winners later this week.

Christmasfest’s Senior King and Queen, Bill and Phyllis Zadra, rode in the parade with other royalty joining them at the crowning on Saturday afternoon: crown bearers Brielle Lucero, the Zadras’ granddaughter, and Wyatt Wiley; first attendants Bill Dyer and Bettie Jo Hackford; and second attendant Norm Hall. Second attendant Peggy Rector could not attend.
A big draw over the weekend was the Blue Mountain Inn and Suites’ Breakfast with Santa, which brought around 40 children and their families to the Park Street Grill on Saturday morning.
Families ate a hot breakfast while children chatted with Santa, received a book as a gift and had photographs taken.
“The breakfast was absolutely delicious,” said Cheri Smith, who attended with 7-year-old daughter Emma. “Emma’s pretty shy, but Santa was wonderful. He really took time with her. They got people in and out pretty quickly, but it didn’t feel rushed.”
Slick roads caused sleigh rides to be canceled during Friday night’s Shopping in Candyland while low vendor and attendee turnouts at Saturday afternoon’s craft fair and Christmasfest royalty crowning has Cushman and other organizers considering date or time changes for next year.
More than a dozen children, however, competed in Saturday afternoon’s Snowflake Baby Contest with Logan Popham, Hailey Armstrong, and Brooke Davis winning their age categories. Aveahna Klein was voted Miss Congeniality.