Letter: Thanks for Christmasfest help

Dear Editor:
Christmasfest 2016 was an incredible weekend and we are so thrilled to watch it grow over the years. We began the festivities this year with the Elf on the Shelf, which the chamber headed up. Snickerdoodle made his way through businesses and when you found him and took your sELFie with him, you were entered to win chamber bucks. This was an amazing event, but we are hoping to see more participate in it next year.
Friday night was spent down at Wildlife Expressions where the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District provided sleigh rides to over 200 community members. There was a nice touch added this year by Wildlife Expressions with chili, hot chocolate, smores and each child getting an advent calendar.
Saturday was the busy Christmasfest day and kicked off with Breakfast with Santa from 8-10 a.m. where the Rec and Park district served more than 100 people breakfast and took pictures with Santa. Every child received a present at this event also. Next we headed on over to the Rangely Jr/Sr. High and had the Elf Land Carnival where many groups came together to make this so successful. This was a first-year activity and will be continued yearly due to success and participation.
Thank you Rangely Hurricanes, Rangely homeschoolers, Rangely TOPS, Rangely Outdoor Museum, New Eden and Rangely STUCO for participating in this event with the Rec District to make it so incredible. Snowflake Baby was once again adorable and such a joy of an event, we had 12 kiddos come out dressed to impress.
The highLIGHT of the evening was the parade of lights which had nine floats this year but each one put extreme time and effort into them and looked amazing, huge thanks to Rangely Fire Department, Alvin Halcomb, Dave Cassavaugh, New Creation Church, Rio Blanco BOCES Preschool Class, Rangely 4-H and Marlena Miller for lighting up main street and spreading so much joy and cheer this holiday season. The ending to Christmasfest 2016 couldn’t have been more perfect!
Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District sponsored F.O.G. (Fat Old Guys) an a cappella group. I think it would be safe to say that anyone who was blessed enough to witness this group received an early Christmas present and are wanting them to come back for more!
Thank you to everyone that comes out to support the events the WRBM Rec and Park District sponsors and the businesses and people that volunteer and donate to make this community what it is. Christmasfest wouldn’t be a success without donations and this year we would like to thank Moon Lake Electric, State Farm, Friends of the Tank, Joyce Key and Kenneth Myers. Rangely is truly a great place to live. Alliance Energy Service Company and Ed and Christina Miller donated their winnings from the light up contest to help a family out this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
WRBM Staff
Rangely