Today begins the 14th annual Parade of Homes, a showcase of the construction talents of Southwest Colorado architects, builders, subcontractors and home furnishings providers.
From 5 to 9 p.m. this evening, the 11 homes will be open, their interiors and exteriors lighted. Food and drink will also be available at three of the tour’s underwriters.
Saturday and Sunday, the homes (two this year are in Pagosa Springs) will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For those who visit every home, prizes from drawings include appliances, a vanity countertop and sink, nursery plants, windows and doors and tile and lighting fixtures.
Revenue from tour ticket sales will again this year provide scholarship support for Durango High School graduates who are continuing into construction education and related fields.
Homes on display differ in style and size, as usual, and in location. Four of the homes are in Edgemont Highlands, northeast of Durango. The tour also includes one of the first homes in Twin Buttes, at the far west end of Durango where streets, sidewalks, trails and gardens have been established.
The Durango Herald is a Parade of Homes sponsor.
Construction and the many related business ventures make up a sizeable portion of the area economy, from the open vistas toward the New Mexico line to the mountain homes rising up to the San Juan Mountains to the north. Differing terrain and views make very different home styles possible, and local architects and builders make the most of the tableaus.
The incorporation of natural light, floor plans which favor older owners and an emphasis on energy conservation are popular ingredients, all in an exterior which plays off the setting and the surroundings.
Local architects and builders look to be able to design and build with the best of them.
Take in this year’s Parade of Homes to see just what is available and to look for ideas for something even more special in home construction and living.
