CREEDE – The 36th annual Taste of Creede featured gorgeous views, slightly chilly weather and scattered rain throughout the afternoon on Saturday, but everyone who ventured out appeared to be having a wonderful day.
Though the K-Belle Cookoff was canceled at the last minute, Main Street in Creede was packed to the brim with vendors selling wares of all shapes and sizes, while artists from several locations across the US and close to home gathered on the northern end of town and did what they do best – create amazing works of art.
“We had to make the difficult decision to cancel the K-Belle Cookoff at the last minute on Thursday, but everyone is still having a great time and that is the best part about this festival. People who come get what they come for and that is to get a taste of Creede whether its art or food or theatre,” said Creede Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Meiser.
Artists lined upper Main Street to work on different types of art including basket weaving, watercolor, sketching and much more. The afternoon was filled with people gathering in Basham Park to listen to the bands playing throughout the day and the bounce-house was set up for the younger people to enjoy while their parents wandered down Main Street.
The Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) was a hot spot for people as they wandered through the National Small Print Show hosted by the Creede Arts Council (CAC). For the past 23 years, the CAC has held this juried show for hand-pulled prints from all around the US and Canada.
Fantail Palm by Mimi Hegler of Ashton, Md., won first place. Forest Murmurs by Dan Welden of Sag Harbor, NY, was awarded second place. Early Light by Ginnie Madsen of Laramie, Wyo., won third place. Two Honorable Mentioned prints were also chosen to receive awards – Morgan by Janet Badger of Houston, Texas, and Overview: The Meeting by Rosemary Depler Cohen of Oregon City, Ore.
According to their most recent press release, the prints will remain on display in the theatre until July 31. An online print auction sale through www.32auctions.com will begin on May 28 and continue until July 31. The CAC will be sharing the link for the online event on its website and Facebook (Creede Arts Council) and Instagram (@creedearts) pages. For more information, visit www.creedeartscouncil.com.
As evening fell on the 36th annual Taste of Creede, CRT hit the lights and rolled out the red carpet for their 59th season with the opening of Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.” It is directed by Christy Montour Larson and runs through Sept. 14.
Sunday closed with the artists demonstration and Quickdraw Art Competition on Main Street where several artists gathered to show off their talents by creating unique works of art in one hour. The paintings were then auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds going toward artistic programs throughout the year.
For more information and a full schedule of what is happening in Creede, visit www.creede.com.
