GILPIN COUNTY – A light rain gave way to clearing skies Sunday afternoon as Gilpin Grateful Acres, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hosted its second annual Fall-O-Ween fundraiser.
By the time the weather subsided, kids dressed in costume were out walking the meandering trail lined with spooky decorations, fog machines, and candy stations.
The 10-acre sanctuary, tucked in the hills off Elk Meadow Lane, is home to goats, llamas, sheep, chickens, and several small animals.
Abby Bishop, who runs the sanctuary, and her partner Ryan Dole spent the last week setting up lights, props, and decorations across the property.
“We put up about 130 strings of lights and a bunch of solar ones too,” Ryan said. “There are fog machines, and every station has a different theme. We’ve been doing this for days, getting ready.”
Children in costumes followed the trail, pausing at each bucket of candy and game station, alongside giant inflatable ghosts, a forest full of witches, skeletons, and pumpkins.
A bounce castle was set up near the residence, where guests wandered through to see the animals inside, like snakes, bunnies, guinea pigs, and even a bearded dragon.
The silent auction tables were covered with items donated by local businesses and supporters, including massage packages, gift cards from Crosscut Pizzeria and Busey Brews, a fossil plate, vinyl records, and a Boogie Records T-shirt.
At the food window of a tiny building, volunteers served up hot pizza from Blackhawk Pizza, bottled water, and small pumpkins for anyone looking to take a bit of fall home with them.
Signs on the wall listed prices, with a suggested donation of $5 to attend the event. Pumpkins and gourds were offered for less than typical store prices, and QR codes for Venmo and PayPal made it easy for guests to contribute online.
The band, Really Something Else, featuring Curly Collins and friends, played from the deck above the crowd, their music carrying over the hillside as people stopped to listen.
Ryan and Abby, who recently welcomed a baby, posed for a quick photo together before greeting more guests.
“We’ve been lucky with the support,” Ryan said. “It’s not easy taking care of this many animals, but it’s worth it. Abby’s been bringing them home since she was little. She’d bring anything home — dogs, cats, chickens, you name it. Her mom told her, ‘When you are an adult, you can have a zoo.’”
Proceeds from the event help the sanctuary afford hay and crucial supplies to get through the winter.
If you missed the event, a kid-friendly open house will take place on Sunday, October 12, from noon to 4 p.m., where you can meet the animals.
For more information or to make a donation, visit GilpinGratefulAcres.org.
