Hello, Septemberfest

The Town of Rangely is buzzing this week as preparations for Septemberfest are underway. The celebration begins on Saturday, Sept. 3, with an open barbecue cookoff at Elks Park and concludes on Monday, Sept. 5, with the Chris Peterson concert, also at Elks Park. Events will take place throughout town and in favorite locations. Many events from previous years remain the same — the bike rally at the Rangely Automotive Museum, the Day in the Park at Elks Park, the Ice Cream Social at the Rangely Outdoor Museum, and the parade down Main Street. On Saturday a free concert will be held at The Tank performed by Ann Martin. A new event added to the schedule is the Spartan Ball Drop and Carnival, held at Cedar Ridges Golf Course.

This year is named the 42nd annual Septemberfest celebration, but there are conflicting stories and recollections on where that number comes from and how the celebration originally started. Tim Webber shares that the figure comes from a donation letter Peggy Rector shared with him. Several residents recall an annual barbecue dinner produced by the Elks Lodge in the 1960s. A more formal event began around 1981 when a celebration to honor the blue collar workers of Northwest Colorado was held at the municipal building when Jones Street ran through what is now the Town Park by the library. Francis Green worked at Moon Lake Electric Association, was promoted to area supervisor, and was tasked to procure meat at the county fair from 4-H members. She recalls feeling intimidated by the task but bravely went forward and raised her hand to bid. Bill Hume cut the meat into a roast, senior citizens at White River Village cooked it, the fire department helped transport it, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought their knives to slice and serve. Green recalls numerous friends donating chips, ice cream and soda. Sarah Nielson recalls serving as a child, passing out sodas from her dad’s truck. To this very year, Bill Hume still provides the meat and a list of other material items for the event that are purchased through Nichols Store. The community contributes to the event with time and donations. Donations are requested for several of the events to support the costs of production. Special districts struggle with funding during economic downturns just as individuals do. Major donors for the 2022 event include White River Market, Bank of San Juans, BakerHughes, True Value and Chevron.

Tim Webber highlights the people as the reason for the event’s success. Whether it’s the people who work all year long to organize and plan the event, to those who travel long distances to experience it, and to the community of Rangely that hosts it. Webber describes people laughing and forgetting about life’s daily stressors — enjoying the day, connecting old and new friendships, and the spirit of teamwork to produce such a large event.

That is the goal of the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Department — to help people enjoy their discretionary time. The event serves locals who love their town and is a driver for economic development. Every small town has its unique celebrations, and what makes them special — this is Rangely’s.

It is unclear when the event came to be known as Septemberfest, but as time has marched on, additions to the event have contributed to what we now know as Septemberfest. (It is possible that the name was borrowed from a similar event in Grand Junction in the 1980s.) I encourage readers who have memories to write into the paper and share! The pieces can be combined to create the full picture of this wonderful community celebration and service.

Tim Webber offers a special shout-out and heartfelt thanks to the following people for their current or past contribution to Septemberfest and other Parks and Recreation events and the Town of Rangely: Peggy and Carl Rector, Jeff and Rebecca Rector, Bud and June Striegel, Jane and Mike Miller, Vance Naaktgeboren, Bethany Green, Jennifer Noel, Natalie Kurrasch, Richard Brannan, Amanda Tull, Chris Hejl, and their families. Hank and Wade Allred and their families, Crandell and Jimmie Mergelman, John and Whitney Fisher, Ryan Huitt, the Casto family and Bill Hume.