Palisade Lights Its Christmas Tree

Amidst general revelry, with bands playing music and a cheering crowd, Palisade, Colorado,  lit its holiday tree on Friday night in the town square, kicking off a celebratory weekend with the town's popular Olde Fashioned Christmas festival.

The tree lighting ceremony coincided with the first ever Art & Chocolate Walk,  where Twisted Brick Studios, The Blue Pig Gallery, Tim Wedel Studio and Mumzel's Art & Antiques all hosted special, free art receptions complete with chocolate treats.

In addition, The Palisade Cafe & Bar, Slice O' Life Bakery and The Red Rose Café featured a special chocolate epicurean treat for customers to enjoy. Visitors traveled from gallery to gallery on the Absolute Prestige Limo, 12-person covered surrey, complete with Percheron horses.

Guests who rode in the surrey were encouraged to begin at Twisted Brick Studios, head to Tim Wedel's and round out the trip with a stop at The Blue Pig Gallery. Hot cider and chocolate and blankets were available to warm people on their ride along streets lined with holiday decorations and lights.

"This festive event is the perfect kick-off for the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas weekend," said Leif Johnson, Executive Director, Palisade Chamber of Commerce. "Palisade is really becoming an art destination for the valley and the Art & Chocolate Walk is a fabulous way to celebrate the holidays with art lovers."

The Twisted Brick Studios showcases the work of seven local fine artists including Barbara Churchley, Tish Collins, Dianna Fritzler, Rachel Kilgore, Mary Mansfield, Stephanie Reynolds and Amber Streweler. It is open to the public every Friday from 9 - 5,  by appointment and during special events such as The Art & Chocolate Walk.

The Blue Pig Gallery highlights the work of more than 30 area artists and is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10 - 6.

Palisade Fire Department Hosts Annual Christmas Chili Cook-Off

The Palisade Fire Department will again host their Annual Chili Cook-Off as part of Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas.  The event will be held on Saturday, December 12 at the Fire Station at 175 E. 3rd Street.  Entries from the public are encouraged and there are no entry fees.  First, second and third-place prizes include gift certificates to Sportsmen’s Warehouse.  

Chili with a full buffet of condiments will be available to the public from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. along with hot chocolate, coffee and cider.  There is a fee of $3.00 per person.  Proceeds from the event will be placed in a special fund designed to provide furnishings for the new fire station that’s in the final planning stages.  

“The Fire Department welcomes everyone to enjoy the festivities,” said EMS Chief, Bill Binnian.   “Inside the station is the perfect place to enjoy and celebrate the warmth of chili and the spirit of Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas.   We hope you can plan to attend!”

Details for entering the contest can be found on the Palisade Chamber of Commerce Website or contacting the Town of Palisade at 970-464-5602.

Cooking Christmas Dinner with Chef Dave, Part 2

Part Two of the cooking demo with Wine Country Inn Chef Emeritus Dave Kassera and Owner Jean Tally.



You can watch Part One of this Wine Country Inn Cooking Demo by clicking here.

Cooking Christmas Dinner with Chef Dave, Part 1

Wine Country Inn Owner Jean Tally and Chef Emeritus Dave Cassera recently dropped by TV8's Good Morning Vail to talk about the hotel, local foods and cook a fabulous Christmas meal.



You can watch Part Two of this Wine Country Inn Cooking Demo by clicking here.

Win Palisade's First Annual Snowman Contest

A new attraction is coming to Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas – the Creative Snowman Contest. “Since we don’t receive much snow, we thought a ‘creative snowman contest’ was in order,” said Chamber Executive Director, Leif Johnson. “Everyone is encouraged to enter this great new addition to Palisade’s holiday season.”

Snowmen must be 4-feet to 6-feet high and can be made out of anything – thus the name, “Creative Snowman Contest.” There is no cost to enter. Snowmen must be delivered for display on Friday, December 11 by 5:00 PM to the office of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce. All entries must be collected by Monday, January 4.

Snowmen will be on display on the sidewalks or in the Town Center Plaza in downtown Palisade and will be judged by committee. Winners will be announced on Saturday, December 12 at Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas. Prizes will be ribbons and a press release will be sent out early the following week announcing winners.

“This contest fits in well with Olde Fashioned Christmas and will reflect the creativity, the arts and culture that the Grand Valley and Palisade has to offer,” Johnson said. Entry forms and information can be obtained by contacting the Palisade Chamber of Commerce at 970-464-7458 or by visiting their website, palisadecoc.com.

Join Us For Palisade's Annual Christmas Tea

The Wine Country Inn will host Christmas Tea as part of Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas.  Sponsored by the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, Christmas Tea will be held on Sunday, December 13, from 12 noon until 2 pm in the Inn’s Vineyard Ballroom.  “This is a change from what we did last year on Saturday,” explains Chamber Director, Leif Johnson.   “There are so many activities on Saturday, we decided a Sunday tea would be a nice way to wind up the weekend of festivities.”
          
The traditional afternoon tea will feature three courses: scones complimented by Devonshire cream and jam; savory selections such as miniature quiches, and finally, sweet breads, cookies and fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate. Some of the sweets will be donated by local residents.   Also traditional, the tea will be a typical English tea such as Earl Grey served with lemon or milk and sugar.
          
Tickets are available for $10 each or $15 for an adult and child at the Wine Country Inn, the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street or the Palisade Tribune on Fifth.  Reservations are required.   The Inn is located at 777 Grande River Drive, next door to Grande River Vineyards. 

“We are so happy to host this event again,” says Juliann Adams, Food and Beverage Director.  “Besides being fun, an afternoon tea is a wonderful way to teach our daughters and granddaughters about manners and why they matter.”
          
For reservations, please call Wine Country Inn at 970-464-5777 or the Chamber of Commerce at 970-464-7458.

Home Builders Wanted For Palisade Gingerbread Contest

December is here and that means it’s time to plan, design, build and decorate your gingerbread homes for Palisade’s Olde Fashioned Christmas Gingerbread House Contest and Showcase, Saturday, December 12th.

“We have all kinds and ages of ‘home builders’ and those who have been contemplating their entries for some time to those who decide to give it a try at the last moment” says Dixie Burmeister, coordinator of the contest and showcase. Burmeister says she has seen it grow dramatically over the last three years as more discover the olde fashioned fun of a tradition that has been enjoyed for centuries. There are changes and additions to this year’s event.

The contest now has 5 categories: for prizes and ribbons: Children 11 and under, Youth 12 to 17, Adult, Groups (families, clubs, etc) and new this year….. Best Business Builders - strictly for bragging rights. Burmeister says there’s some who bring homes and other buildings just to be in the Showcase – and not the contest. Such is the case with previous winner and superb designer Frances Blackwelder.

“We’ve had boys, girls, business groups, clubs, 4-H, a team of a couple young moms and children, and yes, even a grandpa and granddaughter team” Burmeister went on to say. “What a joy to see all the smiles and pride that goes into the event” she said. There will also be the People’s Choice Awards this year so get ready to vote.

The event will be both upstairs and downstairs at the First Methodist Church on “Gingerbread Lane”, also known as Main Street in Palisade. Gingerbread Kits are allowed in the Children, Youth and Business Division. Rules and directions are found with entry forms at www.palisadecoc.com or by calling the Palisade Chamber at 970-464-7458. 

The Golden Kiwanis are making additions to the Gingerbread Lane to add fun and décor to the festive Olde Fashioned Christmas. Let’s turn this in to the biggest Gingerbread Event in Colorado with homes from all over the Valley! All are welcomed to come, see and enjoy!

For more information: Contact Palisade Chamber – 970-464-7458 or go to www.palisadecoc.com.