SOUTH FORK — As summer approaches, the Valley and surrounding towns are gearing up for the busy season and so far, the outlook is good, according to officials.

South Fork Visitor Center Director Mark Teders announced Monday, March 22, that the Town of South Fork was pretty much in line for most of the annual summer events, but all will remain subject to change depending on state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Teders stated that everyone has high hopes for coming summer events, and everyone is working closely with local and state COVID guidelines to ensure continued public safety.

Typically, this time of year heralds spring with the annual Easter Egg Hunt in South Fork but after reviewing current state and local COVID-19 guidelines, the town has opted out of the annual event. Teders explained that the event usually draws about 100 participants and there was not enough space in Rickel Park.

“The event is usually shoulder-to-shoulder people and we made our decision based on the fact that there just isn’t enough room for people to spread out enough to be safe,” Teders said.

Though the Easter Egg Hunt was canceled, Teders did have some good news. The annual South Fork Friends Foundation Town-Wide Yard Sale will be taking place in June. The event marks the fifth year the organization has hosted the popular event and offers an opportunity for residents and business owners to get rid of all their unwanted treasures as well as an opportunity for cleaning up after the winter months.

According to a released issued by the organization, the yard sale event will take place in early June and they urge everyone who wishes to participate to sign up in the coming weeks.

“For our 5th Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale held in early June, the South Fork Friends Foundation would like to be out in the community volunteering able bodies to help other community members out during the event,” foundation officials stated. For more information or to get on the map for the yard sale, email the South Fork Friends Foundation at [email protected].

In addition to the annual yard sale, the South Fork Visitor Center, in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, will be hosting its annual Youth Fishing Clinic around Father’s Day weekend. This clinic is an area favorite bringing families from across the region out for a day of fishing at Tucker Ponds, located just outside of South Fork. This clinic is an opportunity for young anglers to learn the fundamentals and regulations about fishing in the Rio Grande National Forest and even gives the little anglers a chance to catch their limit in fish after the clinic is over.

Once a date has been chosen, more information about the Youth Fishing Clinic will be updated on the town’s website at www.southfork.org.

The town is also planning to host their annual 3^rdof July celebrations which consist of a parade and other activities working up to the big firework show that takes place that night. Teders also stated that as of right now, the annual Logger’s Day Festival is in the works after having been canceled last year due to COVID.

For more information on coming events, visit www.southfork.org.