The Carbondale Historical Society will host a night to remember, covering memories of many nights often, to the contrary, shrouded in a euphoric haze, and filled with dance, love and community. On April 9 (6pm) at the Third Street Center, folks are in for a glimpse into the world of the town’s iconic Mountain Fair.
The voices and stories of those who’ve been behind the scenes of the fair’s operations, which has always been powered by the spirit of volunteerism, will move through three chapters: beginning with how it all started, onto the moments that gave shape to what the community knows today and conclude with Carbondale Arts’ vision for the future.
“To bring these stories to life, the evening will draw from old photo albums and archival podcast segments, weaving together voices and images across time in a multimedia format that makes history tangible,” detailed a press release from the Historical Society.
“Attendees can expect moments of recognition, surprise, and connection — the kind that comes from learning how the things we love were actually built.”
Laurie Loeb, nicknamed “Mother of the Fair,” holds the high honor as a founder. Loeb, who has continually opened the weekend festivities with a community drum circle in front of the gazebo, will fill in some details of the early days. Along with Carbondalians Peggy DeVilbiss, Richie Marks, Wick Moses and several others, the initial thought behind the fair was to emulate a traveling chautauqua that had passed through in 1971. The vision set the stage for the first Mountain Fair the following year.
The first iteration had a turnout of 800 attendees, a larger sum than the town’s population at the time, which was about 650 residents. Since then, it has grown massively, along with the town.
Many up-and-coming bands have gotten their start on the main stage at Mountain Fair, and local artists, entrepreneurs and small-business owners have set up shop at the weekend-long event year after year. Now, vendors come from near and far, as do the crowds, and it’s become a “must-do” event for locals and visitors alike.
One of the most notable minds behind the fair in the 21st century was Amy Kimberly, or “Miss Moon,” who, in addition to her directorship of the fair for many years, also served as the executive director of Carbondale Arts. She looks forward to being a part of this conversation. After Kimberly and Deborah Colley, the fair’s current director of operations, were approached by Kade Gianinetti of the Carbondale Historical Society, who pitched the idea, they agreed that it would be a fun way to provide space for longtime locals to reminisce and an education for newcomers now calling this place home.
“Many years down the line, we’re going to hear some stories that happened in this current day and age that’ll be too hard to believe,” Kimberly told The Sopris Sun. “Especially if people are new to town, they should come, because this will give them great insight into what this community is really about, and they’ll meet so many people who have helped shape it.”
Kimberly first became involved with Mountain Fair in 2004. Though she was involved for many years and expressed pride and gratitude in the work she had done, she is excited for the stories rooted in a time that came before her.
“My timespan of directorship was pretty mild compared to some of the stories from the past. Fifty-five years is a long timespan, especially when so many of the original people are still involved, and [now] their grandkids are involved and we’re starting that almost fourth generation,” Kimberly said. “So I think it’s so important, especially in these crazy times, to remember and celebrate the community that we have and the community that has been maintained so strongly through Mountain Fair.”
“I think it’s so important, especially in these crazy times, to remember and celebrate the community that we have and the community that has been maintained so strongly through Mountain Fair.”
– Amy Kimberly