Becky Ciani’s weekends in June are booked — and have been for more than two decades.

Since moving to Glenwood Springs in 2003, Ciani has become a familiar face at Strawberry Days, the long-running community festival. From parade staging to beer garden shifts and everything in between, she’s worn just about every volunteer hat available.

“I absolutely love living in Glenwood,” she said. “Getting involved with Strawberry Days was a way to meet people, to get to know the community — and now it’s just something I look forward to every year.”

Ciani lives in the Elk Springs area between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale and works as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Carbondale. But when festival weekend comes around, she clears her schedule and shows up wherever she’s needed.

“Last year, we helped with teardown, the information booth, the beer garden — wherever they need help,” she said. “This year I’m starting at 7 a.m. Saturday to help with parade setup, then working shifts at the information booth Saturday night and Sunday night.”

That type of flexibility and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by organizers.

“She’s amazing,” said Sara Teel, director of marketing and membership development for the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. “Becky helps with the parade, she’s one of our staging coordinators, she works the information booth, and she’s helped in the beer garden too. She knows so many people and has been involved for so long that she’s really an asset in every area.”

Ciani also volunteers with the local Rotary Club, helping with Sunday’s pancake breakfast and pitching in wherever she can. This week, she’s baking pies, scrambling eggs and planning to make pancakes for 40 people as part of Rotary’s outreach efforts — all before her Strawberry Days shifts even begin.

“She’s an all-star,” Teel said. “We’re lucky to have her. It makes a big difference knowing you have someone you can count on. She knows the festival, she knows the people, and she just gets things done.”

Ciani’s community involvement extends far beyond Strawberry Days. Through her office, she’s helped organize giving trees during the holidays, supported the nonprofit LiftUp organization, and volunteering for Extended Table, and contributed to countless other efforts.

But for her, Strawberry Days holds a special place.

“My favorite part is just seeing everyone — all the faces you don’t see the rest of the year,” she said. “Neighbors, friends, people you’ve come to know over time. And of course, the food and the music. I’m definitely looking forward to a funnel cake and a little dancing.”

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