As Mountain Fair approaches each year, there’s a special energy in Carbondale that surges as the opening of the fair approaches. The inhabitants of Carbondale and beyond have a long-standing love affair with the tradition, as the entire community comes together for three days of fun, friendship, food and frivolity.
On Sunday morning during Natalie Spears’ performance on the main stage, true love reared its magnificent head during her song “Orchard of Dreams.” Suddenly there was an uproar in the audience and the crowd began clapping, disrupting the performance. On stage it appeared Spears was tearing up as she stared into the audience…
Michael McMillan had just proposed to Anna Mayer. The two recently moved to a ranch near Durango and were visiting friends back in Carbondale when McMillan popped the question. Spoiler alert: she said yes!
That special time that only comes around every last weekend of July, wrapped up for the 54th time Sunday evening. In that time of communal bliss, contestants put their most fun foot forward in Mountain Fair’s old and new competitive traditions. Here is a tally of this year’s winners:
Pies — Most Exotic: Nora Bilby (citrus/carrot); Best Fruit Pie: Gigi Richards (peach/blackberry); Best Cream Pie: Jenna Koval (white chocolate matcha); Best In Show: Nora Bilby. Cakes — Best Cake: Olivia F.; Most Exotic: Laurie Stone; Best Cupcake: Jess Davidoff Meyer; Best In Show: Laurie Stone for “Blackberry Impeachment.” Men’s woodsplitting — Danny Brown (12.64 seconds); Best Flair: Edgar and Driel Rojo. Women’s woodsplitting — Kendall Riley (22.75); Best Flair: Kat Camara. Limbo — Devi Sprague of Carbondale. Porcupine Group Bike Race — Men’s: Hadley Henschel (40:46); Women’s: Emmaline (48:48). Mountain Fair Four Miler — Ana Glainilova: 23:15.63. Horseshoes — Doubles: Shane Cevette of Clifton and Dan Jenkins of New Castle; Singles: Brandon Reynolds of New Castle. Clay Center Throwdown — Bop to the Toppers; Best Dressed: Hero’s Just For One Kiln Load. Singer/Songwriter — James Freeborn.
The fly casting results were not available as of press time.
Of course, everyone is a winner when it comes to Mountain Fair! Here are some photo highlights from our photographer friends.
