Olde Fashioned fun

Christmas season kicks off in Mancos with pageant, Rudolph Run

The first event in Mancos' Olde Fashioned Christmas was well attended and fun.

It was difficult not to get into the Christmas spirit Friday as the events kicked off.

It was "Night of the Cowboy" Friday at the Goodnight Trail Gallery. Those that perused the gallery and artist stands dressed up in their finest Western gear.

Don Cook, of Dolores, showed off some of his handmade spurs, something he has been perfecting for eight years.

A reindeer gave rides to children - wait, it was a steer named Crash with reindeer horns taped on his head.

People lined up to get a ride with Crash Friday.

Owner Will Stone said he has been working with the steer - named Crash Boom by his 4-year-old granddaughter - since his birth.

Inside the Columbine, a hard-working group of cookie testers tasted a variety of cookies for the Cookie Contest. Organizer Mac Neely said she had a low turnout this year in entries.

When all the cookies were tasted, the winner turned out to be 15-year-old Zowie O'Brien, who presented chocolate chip jelly cookies.

Her mother was pleased. "She bakes a few time a week. We never have to buy cookies."

Neely was happy to see a budding baker.

"They were the best cookies overall," Neely said.

The Rudolph Run took off with a rush as children and adults took off for the 1-mile run.

Organizer Annette Mullikin said she has been organizing the race for about 15 years.

'I love to run. My kids are runners," she said. "This race promotes activity and gets kids active and people active and gets them to do something fun before the tree lighting."

The money raised in the Rudolph Run will go toward the Mancos Student Council and the Giving Tree project.

After the race, the town Christmas tree was lit to cheers from the crowd.

Olde Fashioned Christmas

Friday, Dec. 12

6 to 8 p.m.: Community holiday dinner at the Mancos Community Center.

7 p.m.: 'A Rockin' Christmas' featuring The Shawn-Michael Trio at Mancos Valley Distillery.

7 p.m.: Mancos Valley Chorus Holiday Show 'I'll be Home for Christmas' at Mancos Valley United Methodist.

8:30 p.m.: 'A Bluegrass Christmas' featuring Last Nickel at the Columbine.

Saturday, Dec. 13

1 to 4 p.m.: Santa at Artisans of Mancos

3:30 p.m.: Mancos Valley Chorus Holiday Show 'I'll be Home for Christmas' at Mancos Valley United Methodist.

4 p.m.: Breaking of Ornament Pinatas at Grand and Main Corner Park

Sunday, Dec. 14

5:30 p.m.: Second Sunday Holiday Supper at the Mt. Lookout Grange. All are welcome, no admission, potluck dishes and donations encouraged.