Splendid autumn weather graced everyone attending the Aztec Downtown Block Party and Car Show to celebrate Octoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 15.
The Tiger Paw Dance Team for Aztec High School picked a prime spot for their baked goods fundraising stand the corner of Main Avenue and West Chaco Street in front of Lil Aztec Flower Shop. The glowing teens included Nikki North, Kiara Cornish, Piper Skyes, Isabella Roberts, Ava Ramsay and Kaylee Houston.
Eleanor Townsend, costume contest judge, reported selling a lot of $5 raffle tickets and the chance to win a two-night stay at the floating Aqua Lodge at Navajo Lake Marina, a fully guided one-day fishing trip at San Juan River Quality Waters with Wilderness Outfitters, a premium car detailing from Detail Premium Detailing Services, a weekend stay at Tico Time and Wines of the San Juan gift card, and a 4 Corners Tire Pro & Auto Care installation of a leveling kit.
Raffle organizer Carol Taulbee, said it was a fundraiser for the Aztec Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been great, we’ve had a lot of people show up. She said they had about 150 entrants in the car show.
The second annual event chose the entrance to Rubia’s Fine Mexican Dining Restaurant for its main stage. Vendors set up in the alley behind the restaurant and next to 550 Brewing and Pizza Parlor, with its large outdoor beer garden and performance stage.
Riki and Dean Foust, of Da Capo Music Room in Farmington, were selling guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, violins and accessories. She said business has been “pretty good … we started as a teaching studio about a year ago. We teach guitar, piano, drums, ukulele, vocals and violin.”
They launched a retail side of the business, selling a wide variety of instruments. Dean Foust, who operated “The Music Man” shop in Farmington about 20 years ago, is the primary teacher along with three others. On Saturday, he performed with Breezin’, the first band on stage for the celebration.
Ken Choat, marketing director for The Green House, said they opened a Farmington location about four weeks ago and plan an opening soon in Aztec. The Green House sells recreational and medicinal cannabis products, including topicals and edibles. Their first shop opened in Pagosa in 2012, and they also have one in Durango.
Daisy Head and Faith Kingsbury hosted a free Spin-the-Wheel, offering the chance to win free items such as a shot glass, grinder or pipe.
Victoria Grover traveled from Durango to sell her “fractal burning on wood.”
“I take a transformer from a microwave … hook up two leads, pound two nails in the wood, turn it on and 7,500 watts burns that,” she said.
Inspiration comes as she studies the burned wood.
“I look at it and go, ‘What am I going to put here.’ It tells me what I’m going to do, where the trees are going to be. There will never, ever be two of the same.”
The graveled beer garden, filled with tables and patrons, anticipated local act, Julie and the Boyz – bassist Antonio Velasquez, drummer Doug Hodges, guitarist Tritt Smith and strong-voiced Julie Marques up front. After five years of working together, they were tight, diverse and pumped up the energy for an appreciative audience. They plan to record “very soon,” Marques said.
Teenage Durango band Majik Ham received a standing ovation for their performance. Members are Alec Bell, 15, guitar and vocals; Elias Javier, 15, piano; Jordan Kitchens, 14; bass/vocals and Taylor Williams, 15, on drums.
Third-generation Aztec business owner John Faverino was master of ceremonies and announced winners of the costume contest and the raffle.
Event coordinator Rhonda Huntington, had big hopes for the Octoberfest, following in the footsteps of Lorrie Lawrence, who founded it last year.
“We tried to take over the entire downtown, but we had a few hiccups with (the traffic on Highway) 550,” Huntington said. She estimated about 60 vendors and 800 visitors.
Huntington said the band Rockin Horse played well into the night at the local VFW with renditions of Santana and lots more.
“I’m proud of the team (committee of organizers). We had momentum from last year … and I could not brag more on the sponsors,” Huntington said. She said Raelynn Dusenbery did a wonderful job with their Facebook page.
