The Palisade Chamber of Commerce announced the 2015 Olde Fashioned Christmas was a great success thanks to all the sponsors , volunteers and to everyone who came out for the fun and activities. The newly added Breakfast with Santa was a huge success and will definitely be back next year. Juliann Adams, Executive Director, said, “Even the staff of the hotel came and had their picture taken with Santa.” The Wine Country Inn had the room all decorated with trees and a big chair for Santa to welcome all the kids to his lap. Santa and his two elves, Candy Cane and Jingle, entered the room to the kids all singing Jingle Bells and as they made their way around the room greeting everyone there the kids were all smiles.
Hundreds of parade lovers lined Palisade streets on Friday night to watch over 30 floats pass by from the Firehouse, up 3rd Street and down on Main while sipping warm soups made by the ladies of Palisade Altrusa. Mary Britt had fun announcing the floats and parade entries along with her Junior MC, 9 year old Ava Mathis. The floats were the best ever and difficult for the judges to pin down to just three favorites, but in the end it was the Colorado National Bank winning first place with their story telling float, Town of Palisade Trustees won second place, and the Countryside Services Toys for Tots at third place and Honorable Mention went to Bank of Colorado. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into making this parade so special.
Over 40
0 people sampled 9 different soup creations from local restaurants at the Soup Challenge. They were all delicious but to the judges two stood out from the rest. The first place Judges Choice Award went to Chef Tony of Le Bistro Cafe’ at Community Hospital for his Smoked Gouda w/Fire Roasted Red Peppers & Chicken. The Smoked Gouda Soup was such a hit it was also voted as the People’s Choice Award winner.
Second place winner went to Bocas Venezuelan Grill for their unique Sankocho. Thank you to all the chefs who came out for the challenge and a special thanks to Tim Wedel who made the beautiful pottery pieces as the treasured awards.
Everyone looks forward to the Gingerbread Showcase to see the creative ways gingerbread is used to make edible houses, animals, trees and even a lamp! This year did not let us down in unique entries and genius technique. A special thanks this year to Karl Stevens, Executive Chef of Community Hospital who made 300 Gingerbread House cookies for the kids to decorate at the Gingerbread workshop. There was lots of frosting and sticky fingers from all the fun but the smiles were priceless.
The 2015 winners for all the categories were as follows:
Child – 5 and under
1st – Morgan Labbitt – GJ
2nd – Xanna Duran – GJ
3rd – Mickyiah Sawyer – GJ
Honorable Mention – Hope Labbitt – GJ
Child – 6-11
1st – Adisyn Pinnt – Palisade
2nd – Erica Young – GJ
3rd – Taylor Anoia – Palisade
Honorable Mention – Bozydar Mikosz – Palisade
Youth – 12-17
1st – Alyssa Breeden – Fruita
2nd – Dale Alam Merino – GJ
3rd – Jennah Targett and Adele Foley – Fruita
Fun Adult
1st – Joan Grumley – GJ
2nd – Bob Allen – GJ
3rd – Rhonda Thibault-Lloyd – GJ
H.M. = Elizabeth Goodson – GJ
Business
Tie for first
1st – SGM – GJ
1st – Joann Mills – GJ
2nd – Cave – Colorado Winefest – Palisade
3rd – KREX TV5 – GJ
Group –
1st – Bev O’Neil, Shelly Weiss and Kate – GJ
2nd – Bobbie, Brandi Thompson and Halen Coughlin – Fruita
3rd – Jo and Nikki Hartig – Clifton
Honorable – The Berry Family – Granny, Auntie, Jolyn, Ashley, Kyla, Damien, Tyler,
Easton – Palisade
Original Creation
1st – Kelly Minton – Fruita
2nd – Mona Pearmain – GJ
3rd – Jo Hartig – Clifton
HM – JoAnn Mills – Palisade
MASTER GINGERBREAD CREATION – Michelle Allman – Basalt
Looking forward to see what is in store for next year. Save the Dates: December 2-3, 2016. Merry Christmas Everyone!
