PHOTOS: Holiday lights and hometown delights

The city of Rifle had their Hometown Holidays event this past weekend. The tree-lighting ceremony was followed by a fireworks show. Afterward, a number of businesses participated in the parade. There were also many things to do at multiple places in Rifle, including a showing of “The Nutcracker” by Symphony in the Valley.

Blue Christmas lights on a tree in Centennial Park in Rifle during Hometown Holidays on Saturday.

The Domino’s truck heading down the street during the Hometown Holidays parade on Saturday night in Rifle.

Remnants of firework flares at the Hometown Holidays in Rifle on Saturday evening over Centennial Park.

Whoville constructed on a float complete with the Whos themselves in the Hometown Holidays Parade on Saturday evening in Rifle.

Red lights line the wood at Centennial Park in Rifle during the lighting of Hometown Holidays.

Fireworks shimmering over Centennial Park in Rifle during Hometown Holidays on Saturday night.

Max the dog pulling the Grinch and all the stolen Whoville presents and Christmas attire during the Hometown Holidays Parade in Rifle on Saturday evening.

The Rifle Christmas tree was lit during Hometown Holidays on Saturday evening.

The Grinch looms on the back of the Walmart float being pulled in the Hometown Holidays Parade on Saturday evening in Rifle.

Fireworks above Centennial Park in Rifle during Hometown Holidays on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Western Colorado towns celebrate Halloween

The children were out in droves to celebrate Halloween over the past week with their communities, in the towns of Rifle and Silt. The towns organized these events, the Preschool Halloween Parade and Fall Festival, respectively, to bring together businesses and the people who live there.

Happy Halloween!

A Minion and Belle smile while waiting for candy during the Preschool Halloween Parade in Rifle on the morning of Oct. 27.

Horse-drawn carriages walked swiftly up and down the street on Tuesday evening at the Silt Fall Festival.

Blue is sus (suspicious) outside the Whistle Pig in Rifle on the morning of Oct. 27 during the Preschool Halloween Parade. There might be an imposter among us.

Misty, owner of Wild’s Coffee in Silt, gives out candy to patrons at the Silt Fall Festival on Tuesday evening.

Kissy Missy, from the horror game Poppy Playtime, makes an appearance outside the Whistle Pig in Rifle during the Preschool Halloween Parade on the morning of Oct. 27.

An ‘inmate’ and Silt police officer pose for a photo at the Silt Fall Festival on Tuesday evening.

Max from “Where the Wild Things Are” sips juice next to one of the Wild Things (his guardian) during the Preschool Halloween Parade in Rifle on the morning of Oct. 27.

A large crowd gathered at the Silt Fall Festival on Tuesday evening.

PHOTOS: Glenwood Springs High rolls down Pitkin Avenue during Friday’s homecoming parade

Glenwood Springs High School held their annual homecoming parade on Friday. The homecoming assembly drew competition between the four grades as well as the crowning of homecoming royalty. Clubs and other extracuricular activities were represented during the school’s parade, which marched down Pitkin Avenue before wrapping back around at Glenwood Springs Elementary School.

This year’s homecoming royalty included: freshmen Sierra Weir and Tate Rice; sophomores Sienna McIntyre and Jackson Wood; juniors Ella Fosnaught and Nate Mexted; seniors Leyna McGill, Henry Braudis, Elle Tripp, Tyson Kochevar, Sam Portillo and Josh Islas; homecoming queen Delaney McPherson and king Ian Cole.

A student from each grade represents their class in a game of knockout during GSHS’ homecoming assembly on Friday.

The GSHS cheer team rides along as part of the school’s homecoming parade on Friday.

Glenwood Springs honorary alumni and class of 1986 graduate Jody Jordan rides along as part of Friday’s homecoming parade.

The GSHS pride club waves their flags during Friday’s homecoming parade.

The Glenwood Springs High JROTC program leads the way of the 2023 homecoming parade.

Teachers wear their favorite paper mache head cutouts during Friday’s homecoming parade.

The Hispanic Honor Society rides along as part of the GSHS homecoming parade on Friday.

PHOTOS: Coal Ridge volleyball takes on Montrose

Coal Ridge volleyball was in action last week against Montrose.

Coal Ridge senior Riley Cheney plays the net against Montrose on Thursday.

Coal Ridge sophomore Austin Jensen levitates to play the ball against Montrose on Thursday.

Coal Ridge volleyball in action against Montrose on Thursday.

Coal Ridge senior Emerson Harvey plays against Montrose on Thursday.

PHOTOS: Roaring Fork, Colorado River valleys show true fall colors

Better catch it while it still lasts.

The Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys are currently bursting with fall foliage. Whether it’s Silt, Redstone or Sunlight Mountain, the vibrancy is quite the sight to see before winter sets in and snow covers the landscape.

And don’t forget: the city of Glenwood Springs soon starts offering a leaf drop-off site at the old rodeo grounds near the airport, 1172 County Road 116, a city news release states. The site is available Friday-Nov. 12.

Dark bark and yellow leaves near Coal Creek Road near Redstone.

Upshot of an aspen tree at Sunlight Mountain.

Bright yellows near Redstone Coke Ovens.

Bush leaves beginning to change at Hayes Creek Trail.

Birch trees in the afternoon sun on Sunlight Mountain.

Multicolor leaves near Coal Basin Ranch.

Stark bones of a birch tree near Coal Creek Basin Road.

Sunlight touching the last of the leaves at Sunlight Mountain.

Photos: Rifle High School homecoming

Rifle High School celebrated homecoming this past weekend with a parade to kick off a weekend of sports. The parade stretched through Rifle midday Friday before the RHS Bears went on to defeat the Moffat County High School Bulldogs on Friday night.

Members of the Rifle High School Marching Band walk through downtown on Friday during the homecoming parade. Courtesy of Theresa Hamilton

Members of the Rifle High School Bears football team play toss with those gathered to watch the homecoming parade Friday. Courtesy of Theresa Hamilton

A member of Rifle High School cheer walks in the homecoming parade Friday. Courtesy of Theresa Hamilton

Rifle High School students wave to the crowd during the homecoming parade Friday. Courtesy of Theresa Hamilton

Rifle High School softball players ride on a float during the homecoming parade Friday. Courtesy of Theresa Hamilton

Rifle High School students ride in a float during the homecoming parade Friday. Brooklyn Dennis

Photos: National Sheepdog Finals come to a close in Carbondale

Following a weekend full of competition for sheepdog spectators and competitors, the event, hosted at Strang Ranch, came to a close on Monday. In partnership with Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE) all ticket and parking proceeds benefitted the nonprofit animal shelter in Glenwood Springs.

2023 World Sheepdog Final participant and owner of Strang Ranch, Bridget Strang, stands next to the pen during the preliminary rounds on Wednesday.

A mini collie explores the grounds of Strang Ranch during the preliminary round of the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals on Wednesday.

One of many collies attending the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals stalks a herd of sheep.

A collie cools off in the water after the opening round at the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals.

Grounds for trailers and recreational vehicles are filled with people who made their way to Strang Ranch to be a part of the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals.

A collie runs towards a herd of sheep during the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals at Strang Ranch in Carbondale on Wednesday.

The crowd spectates to watch the preliminary round of the 2023 National Sheepdog Finals on Thursday.

PHOTOS: Burning Mountain Festival parade brings out bubbles, water and sunshine

Saturday was a picture perfect morning for an exciting parade in New Castle as part of the Burning Mountain Festival. Multiple floats participated to show various parts of the community.

A family drove by on a bright red fire truck from New Castle, waving and calling. The cheerleading team from Coal Ridge High School followed their peers from the marching band, shaking their white pompoms in deep blue uniforms, leading the football team down Main Street. The float by the Kathryn Senor Elementary School was decorated vividly in pink posters and worldly colors, holding a group of young children dressed in red and blue.

Numerous other floats from local businesses, Colorado Mountain College, community groups and schools came down the street, representing parts of New Castle and nearby Rifle, Silt and Glenwood Springs.

Finally, the last float of the procession had a massive bubble machine on the back, which left incandescent miniature mountains of bubbles in the street. Children ran to let the streams of soap and water fall on them before they could touch the ground.

A young girl enjoys the bubble machine off the back of the last float from the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

The Coal Ridge High School Titans cheerleading team does a walking routine during the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

A fire truck rides down the road at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

Colorado Mountain College mascot dances during the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

The Kathryn Senor Elementary School float at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

Art work on the Water Pros. truck float at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

Two men ride on farm equipment at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

Nurse Aides and their Patient ride on a float at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

Mercedes passenger gives a thumbs up at the Burning Mountain Festival parade in New Castle on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Sopris Elementary School rings in the new school year

Following the start of a new school year for schools throughout the Roaring Fork School District, parents and students piled into Sopris Elementary School on Wednesday for the first day of classes.

Sopris Elementary pre-schooler Jago Arballo enjoys his lunch during his first day of school.

Fifth grade student Mason Picore is escorted into his new classroom by his sister, Hayden, and father, Mike.

Students and parents flood into the classroom of teacher Shannon Abernethy during Sopris Elementary’s first day of school.

Sopris Elementary kindergartner Brooke Sanderson makes her way out of the gymnasium during the return from summer break for RFSD students.

Sopris Elementary pre-schooler Anders Sustad plays with a truck during RFSD’s first day of school on Wednesday.

Sopris Elementary pre-schooler Cason Lundin grabs his lunch box from the refrigerator.

Sopris Elementary second grade student Artem Marshall listens in on orientation details for the first day of the new school year.

PHOTOS: First day of school brings out the smiles

This week marks back to school for Garfield County school districts.

On Monday, smiles filled the halls of Garfield Re-2 schools as students came back ready to learn for the 2023-2024 academic year.