The Coal Creek Canyon Parks and Recreation District sponsored a Mountain Fest at the Coal Creek Canyon Community Association Hall at 31528 Highway 72 from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021. Justin Shaffer with the Parks and Recreation Board said the event included 15 vendors with food and beer, and representatives of non-profit corporations.

A live band, Knucklehorn, entertained throughout the day. Events included a toilet seat throw, an obstacle course running at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., a car show, face painting and making your own beard. Attendees could purchase tickets to buy the food and beer and enter the events.

Co-Chair of the event Linda Martin with Co-Chair Jeremy King said they have been doing this event since 2011. The Parks and Recreation District receives funds from the County, but they can only be used for capital projects, so this event helps pay for maintenance and administration costs.

Booths included the Saws and Slaws represented by Judy Dickson. Saws and Slaws is a community event in which volunteers conduct fire mitigation on a property and then enjoy lunch.

Dawn Williams and Linda Roberts represented Canyon Cares. Its mission is to serve people in Coal Creek Canyon, Nederland, and unincorporated Gilpin County. Canyon Cares of Coal Creek Canyon, founded in 2006, is an unaffiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Other vendor booths included “I love inspirations,” with freeze dry goods that was attended by Asia and Dante Dominguez and their daughter, Irie. Inside the hall, Nancy and Frank Griffin provided a “Making a Fake Beard” hands-on game, and Brittany Zoccole and her daughter Bernice provided face paintings.

Outside, the burgers and dogs on the grill looked delicious and ready for guests to eat.

The winners of the Burly Obstacle Course were Elmer Davis and Emma Kolinski. The Best Photo for our “Covid in the Mountains” theme was Dawn Williams. The Best Beard went to Jay Thompson and The Frozen Flannel went to Justin Shaffer. James Cooper won the Treasure Hunt. The Best Soap Whittling contest went to Evan.

For more information go to www.cccparkandrec.org.

Food, fun and games The Mountain Fest at Coal Creek Association included, from Top; Fun with the Toilet seat throw game. Center, left; Co-chair Jeremey King cooking burgers on the grill. Center, middle; Dawn Williams and Linda Roberts represented Canyon Cares to serve people in Coal Creek Canyon, Nederland, and unincorporated Gilpin County. Center, right; Justin Shaffer with the Parks and Recreation Board manned the information tent at the event. Bottom, left; Asia and Dante Dominguez with their daughter, Irie, set up a booth for “I Love Inspirations,” specializing in freeze dried goods. Bottom, right; Co-Chair Linda Martin decides on making your own beard, a booth manned by Nancy and Frank Griffin. PHOTOS BY JOHN SCARFFE[/caption]