Salida Chamber Calendar

Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the lighting of Christmas Mountain in Salida with a 5 mile and 1 mile race!  The 5 mile course begins and ends by Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race course is very scenic and mostly flat (around 160 feet of elevation gain) and takes place on city and county roads and gravel or concrete pedestrian paths. This event is designed for all runners, and we encourage all ages and abilities to come out!  Packet pickup, post race drinks and snacks, and awards will take place at the Salida Scout Hut in downtown Salida.  Custom race socks will be included with this year's 5 mile race registration. Race begins at 10am, giving participants time to sleep in after Thanksgiving, and then relax with friends and family before heading back to downtown Salida for the lighting of Christmas Mountain.  Festivities in town associated with this event include the annual Christmas Mountain parade, beginning at 6pm, followed by fireworks.  This is one of Salida's biggest and most celebratory nights each year. The goals of this event are to encourage health, fitness, fun, and community connection around the Thanksgiving holiday; to offer another competitive racing opportunity in Chaffee County; and to raise money during the holiday season for the Chaffee County Community Foundation.  Prize money will be offered to the top finishers (TBD in 2024, but 2023 was the following:) top 3 M/F overall ($150/$100/$75), along with the first place M/F masters runner ($100). There will also be a one mile run, which will begin at approximately 10:05am.  Participants will run down Sackett Avenue, turn around after 1/2 mile, and head back to the finish line.  This race will be timed, all competitors will receive a participant ribbon, and post race snacks are included. For more information or if you're interested in sponsoring or volunteering at this event, please contact Kristy Falcon at christmasmountainrun@gmail.com.

November Customer Appreciation Day at Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub Before the holiday rush begins, take a break and enjoy Customer Appreciation Day at Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub. On Sunday, November 30th, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Moonlight Miles members will earn double points on every purchase. Dine in or take out—it’s our way of saying thank you for your support. Not a member yet? Sign up here.

Join us for the season’s first Trailhead Tuesday as we kick things off with Avalanche Awareness on December 02nd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at The Trailhead gear store, 402 East Main Street in Buena Vista, Colorado. This event is well-attended, so bring your own camp chair and consider coming early to grab food and a drink from Simple Eatery next door. This new Avalanche Awareness presentation was created in partnership with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). A professional BVMA Sawatch Range mountain guide will lead it. The event is open to all experience levels, whether you are just beginning to explore the winter backcountry or you’ve been touring for years. This talk is a perfect entry point or a solid preseason refresher. Connect with the Chaffee County backcountry community, ask questions, and get ready for the winter season in the Sawatch Range.