Yuletide Celebration and Winterfest brings holiday season to South Fork

SOUTH FORK — The South Fork Friends Foundation in partnership with the Town of South Fork and the South Fork Visitor Center will be hosting its annual Yuletide Celebration and Winterfest on Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26.

The Yuletide Celebration is from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, Nov. 25, and is billed as being fun for the whole family. This is the annual Christmas Tree lighting at the Visitor Center and Historic Water Tower along Highway 160. According to South Fork Friends Foundation Director Luke Brennan, there will be food and music beginning at 5 p.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center.

The event is free to all. Tree lighting will occur just after dark, approximately 6 p.m. Santa Claus and one of his elves will arrive just after the tree lighting, with gifts for children who want to see him and share their wish lists.

“We have rented a large circus-style tent for warmth and shelter and will have free food (homemade chili and macaroni and cheese), snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, and treats for all. Holiday music will be played through a new sound system that we just purchased. Weather conditions permitting, there will be a bonfire to help warm and light up the night, too,” stated Brennan.

The annual Winterfest Craft Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Rio Grande Club and Resort. South Fork Friends Foundation is expecting 22 vendors from all over Colorado this year who will occupy 25 spaces at this beautiful facility.

Vendors will have a diverse mix of offerings: handmade furniture, pottery, jewelry, antler-based artwork, wooden toys, wooden bowls and cutting boards, spices, lotions, baked goods, apparel, and much more.

The Rio Grande Club will have a special, limited menu available for vendors and shoppers throughout the day.