The 2024 Festival of Trees and Wreaths raised $73,773 during its annual event in Cortez and Durango, according to an announcement Friday by CREA executive director AJ Dillon.
Winners of the wreath scavenger hunt were awarded a share of $1,000 in Cortez Cash from the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association.
CREA sponsored the event in collaboration with Community Connections Inc. and Our Own Lives.
“A big thank you to everyone who came out to play, donate, bid on wreaths and support our local Cortez businesses,” CREA said.
Eighty-nine people participated in the wreath scavenger hunt.
The $250 winners were Aarela Maloney and Sequoia Eddy and the $100 winners were Kody Cullum, Brianna Tallent and Bonnie Candelaria.
The $50 winners were Mary Begay, Rita Russell, Marcy Bee and Tania Maloney.
CREA also announced the people’s choice awards for the event.
The best wreath of Montezuma County was Mancos Liquors, followed by Notah Dineh Trading Co. in second and Kaki Sadler in third.
Out of the $73,773 raised, $37,697 came from sponsorships, $14,363 in-kind, $21,107 auction and $606 from donations.
There were 70 auction participants, 111 unique bidders and 604 total bids. The event also included 26 trees, 72 wreaths (60 in Cortez) and 136 sponsors.
“We had record-breaking numbers of wreaths and participating businesses as well as Scavenger Hunt Players,” CREA said. “Again, thank you to everyone who enjoyed this worthy cause for Community Connections Inc., Our Own Lives and our local businesses. We hope it made your holidays a little brighter.”
