Spicy success floats over Creede during Labor Day

The annual Balloon Festival in Creede this weekend was a huge success with liftoff happening all three mornings.


CREEDE— Friday morning bloomed bright and clear with a variety of colorful balloons filling the sky south of Creede. The annual Balloon Festival was a huge success this year with the weather in the best condition it has been in almost three years. The balloons were able to fly over the Mineral County Airport all three mornings.
Saturday kicked off with warm sunny skies which were not only perfect for the Creede Balloon Festival but were a great start to the annual Mountain Run Race. Participants lined up along Main Street first thing in the morning to begin either a 50k, 22-mile, 12-mile or 2-mile race. Participants of all ages either ran, jogged or walked through the race. Winners received a plaque made out of the native rock sowbelly agate and a medal. Names and race times will be announced as soon as results are in.
Saturday also featured the annual Salsa Fiesta that brought a huge crowd of participants to the area. The Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce was packed with a line of people eager for their chance to purchase a ticket to the Salsa Fiesta this year, yielding one of the highest selling years to date.
The fiesta offered guests in the area a chance to taste a variety of salsas made by local businesses and organizations. There were five salsa categories including: red, green, fruit, freestyle and overall favorite. Ticket holders ventured out along Main Street in Creede and beyond to get a chance to taste some interestingly delicious homemade salsas while enjoying the last few days of summer.
There were 18 salsas to taste this year from places like the Creede Olive Oil Company which featured a unique concoction with a cinnamon twist, the Mac Mine that did a delicious freestyle that was both sweet and savory as well as the Creede Repertory Theatre which offered both a freestyle salsa and a red. Everyone participating in the taste test enjoyed each entry.
The winners for the Salsa Fiesta are as follows: Miners Restaurant-Red, Blue Yak-Green, Loverings Gallery-Fruit, CRT-Freestyle, and the overall favorite went to the Blue Yak.
Even though the weekend marked the end of the summer season in Creede there is plenty more to look forward to. The annual Cruisin’ the Canyon Car Show kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21, and don’t forget about the annual Chocolate Festival that will take place in November. For more information or a list of coming events, please visit www.creede.com.


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