They say it takes a village to raise a child, well the same holds true to run a festival. It takes a small village of dedicated and hard working people warmly referred to as “volunteers”. The season of Palisade Festivals is coming and organizers are looking early to fill the slots of shifts for the spring and summer events.
First Annual Gran Fondo bike ride, May 16
The Palisade Chamber is looking for about 40 volunteers to assist with the first Annual Palisade Gran Fondo to be held on May 16th. A Gran Fondo loosely translated means “big or great ride.”
Peach Bowl Park, 600 Logan Ave., in Palisade, will be the headquarters for the event.
Originating in Italy, these one day events are characterized by a rolling mass start with all participants enjoying the epic nature of the long day on their road bikes. The cyclists who most enjoy the Gran Fondo rides are seasoned and trained road cyclists who can challenge themselves with the distance and rigor of the ride. Volunteers are needed as marshals along the route, aid stations, start and finish points and the post award ceremony.
“The Palisade Gran Fondo is a timed road cycling event through the orchards and vineyards of western Colorado and onto the rugged Reeder and Purdy Mesas.” says, Jen Sliney of Palisade Velo.
More information and specific jobs are listed on palisadegranfondo.com where you can register to help online. Email Jen Sliney, race coordinator, at 510-910-1608 for questions or email to PalisadeVelo@gmail.com.
Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival, June 12-14
The Town of Palisade is gearing up for the 2015 Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival at Riverbend Park, and needs volunteers! With almost 150 volunteers in 2014 it was the most successful year yet, and 2015 is on target to blow that away. Each year gets better and better, and this festival cannot happen without volunteers.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the festival needs to fill out an application and turn it in to the Town of Palisade at 175 E 3rd Street in Palisade or by mail at PO Box 128 Palisade, CO 81526. Emailed applications can be sent to kfrasier@townofpalisade.org.
Most shifts are scheduled in four (4) hour increments. Volunteers must work four hours to receive a one day festival pass or eight (8) hours to receive a full weekend festival pass, so please make sure to mark on the application how many shifts you wish to work. All volunteers who get their application turned in by May 1, 2015, will get a 2015 volunteer t-shirt. We have to place the t-shirt order that week, so those who get applications in after the deadline will not get a shirt — sorry, but no exceptions. Dates for the 2015 festival are June 12-14.
We have many opportunities for volunteers during all three days, and even a few jobs available a few weeks before the event. Please note on your application if you would be interested in pre-festival volunteer hours. Jobs before the event are very limited and include things like putting up posters around the valley, folding programs, etc., so get those requests in early. It is suggested to mark multiple shifts on your application just in case your first choice is already filled.
Details of the volunteer meeting will come a little closer to the festival date, but it’s usually the Thursday before the festival at Riverbend Park. I’ll keep you informed as details emerge. Contact Keli Frasier at kfrasier@townofpalisade.org or (970) 464-5602.
Fifth Annual Lavender Festival, July 10-12
If music and bicycling are not your thing, perhaps gardening will interest you at the 5th Annual Lavender Festival on July 10 – 12th.
The Lavender Association of Western Colorado is busy organizing the 2015 festival activities. On Saturday, July 11, the festival is in Palisade Memorial Park. Sunday is the free lavender farms tour on the Western Slope from Paonia to Fruita to Palisade and points in between.
For centuries lavender has been prized for its sweet perfume, medicinal properties and beautiful color. It’s easily one of the best known and most popular herbs on our dear old Mother Earth. You’ll find this amazing plant used in cooking, essential oils and hydrosols, the healing arts, and a myriad of crafts and creative endeavors.
There is so much to learn and do at this most fragrant festival! Bus tours to lavender farms, demonstrations and craft classes, vendors and more. If you are interested is helping out at Colorado’s only lavender festival go to www.coloradolavender.org.
47th Annual Palisade Peach Festival, Aug. 14, 15
The pride and joy of Palisade, the 47th Annual Palisade Peach Festival also needs your help. The festival gets bigger and better every year and this year the festival is August 14 & 15th in Riverbend Park.
Peach Week opens on Wednesday night with the GJ Rockies game against Great Falls Voyagers with the first peach pitch at 7:05pm. The favorite ice cream social and street dance on Thursday night downtown or the Festival in the Park will only happen if volunteers are there helping. Volunteers get T-shirts, passes to the festival, meals and our many thanks and appreciation.
Information is on www.palisadepeachfest.com or you may call the Palisade Chamber of Commerce at (970) 464-7458.
Colorado Mountain Winefest, Sept 17-20
Fall arrives with the Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade on Saturday September 19th in Riverbend Park. For full winefest details, go to: http://coloradowineexperience.com/colorado-wine-festivals/.
The festival is sponsored by CAVE, the Colorado Association for Vititculture & Enology, now open in its new office location, 124 W. 3rd St., Palisade.
Stop by the office and get more information about the many ways you can help before and during the event. There are several events leading up to the festival in the park that may interest you. Volunteers receive T-shirts and passes into the park. This festival is a favorite with Palisade visitors.
We invite you to get involved with one or all of these great events that make Palisade a destination for many Colorado visitors. Festival visitors help our businesses stay in business. Have fun, Help out, Lend a Hand. Thank You.
