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Bayfield gears up for holiday celebrations

Lights, gifts and Santa coming to town
Paula Carron is one of at least seven Bayfield residents who entered the town’s holiday lights competition this year. She gave her husband the credit for the decorations; he’s been doing it for 14 years, she said.

Bayfield is gearing up for holiday celebrations with calls from Santa, a holiday lights competition and a shop-for-your-parents event.

The holidays are different this year because of the economic instability and public health restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. But families looking for ways to make the holidays special have several options coming up in Bayfield.

Here are a few:

Holiday Lighting Contest

The town of Bayfield is asking residents to light up for the holidays.

The Holiday Lighting Contest aims to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other holidays by asking residents and businesses to decorate with light displays.

For Paula and Cary Carron, entering the contest was a way to add some fun to the season.

“It’s bringing the holiday spirit, Christmas spirit and just joy,” Paula Carron said.

The last day to submit entries is Friday at noon and the winners will be announced Dec. 22. The town is offering cash prizes for both residential and commercial categories. First-place winners will receive $125, second place, $75, and third place, $50.

The town received seven entries as of Tuesday. If interested, people can submit entries to newsletter@bayfieldgov.org. Eligible addresses are within town limits.

Grown-up Gift Shop

Kids and teens in the Pine River Valley can pick out gifts for the adults in their lives at the eighth annual Pine River Shares Grown-up Gift Shop.

The event will take place at 658 S. East St., the former middle school gym in Bayfield, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19. Each person, ages 17 and younger, can pick out about two gifts during the event.

Masks, social distancing and temperature checks will be required to help prevent spread of the coronavirus. Volunteers will be available to assist children, and gift bags will be provided.

If families need assistance getting gifts for children and senior citizens, they can call Pine River Shares at 884-6040 before Dec. 21. The type of support, such as financial assistance or free gifts, depends on the age of the person.

The additional support is sponsored by La Plata Electric Association, Pine River Valley Church, Community Banks of Colorado and the Pine River Library.

The Santa Project, revamped

In the past, Santa would make stops at people’s homes for the Bayfield Lions Club Santa Project.

This year, there’s a twist: Instead of a visit from Santa, the Lions Club said Santa has requested all Bayfield School District students write him a letter. Then, Santa will be contacting children by phone and FaceTime.

Families can drop off their letters to Santa at the Lions Community Hall at 451 Church St. until Dec. 20. They should include their children’s names, ages, phone number and preferred method of contact, phone call or FaceTime.

For more information, email Jay Rhodes and Phyllis Rhodes at phyllisjay_rhodes1@q.com.

smullane@durangoherald.com



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