YOUR AD HERE »

Downtown Craig features artistic variety leading up to Valentine’s Day

Cherish the Little Things, Art Walk, Taste of Chocolate, holiday dance next week

Craig Daily Press Staff Report
Couples sway to the music during Downtown Business Association's 2015 Valentine's Dance at the local Elks Lodge. This year's dance will take place at Center of Craig Feb. 13, concurrent with Cherish the Little Things Art Show, Art Walk and Taste of Chocolate.
Courtesy Photo

Year after year, downtown Craig becomes a hub of activity in mid-February as multiple events provide a place to delight the senses.

Next week will be a busy one as four favorite events come up: the 21st annual Art Walk, 10th annual Taste of Chocolate, fifth annual Cherish the Little Things Art Show and second annual Valentine’s Dance.

Little masterpieces

Connections 4 KidsConnections 4 Kids, the early childhood council for Moffat and Rio Blanco counties welcomes the community to attend the yearly display of artwork at the Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave. About 300 pieces of art from local students of all ages will be on display, though Coordinator Betsy Overton said this year will have a slightly different look in its setup., the early childhood council for Moffat and Rio Blanco counties welcomes the community to attend the yearly display of artwork at the Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave. About 300 pieces of art from local students of all ages will be on display, though Coordinator Betsy Overton said this year will have a slightly different look in its setup.

Connections 4 Kids, the early childhood council for Moffat and Rio Blanco counties welcomes the community to attend the yearly display of artwork at the Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave. About 300 pieces of art from local students of all ages will be on display, though Coordinator Betsy Overton said this year will have a slightly different look in its setup.



The show is open to the public Feb. 11 to 13, kicking off with a special, invitation-only preview event for the families of the 20 children whose work is selected as the cream of the crop, all of their art pieces eventually appearing on the organization’s calendar. As in previous years, attendees can vote for the artwork that will be featured on the calendar’s cover by donation.

Additionally, funds from this year will go toward a new project: a parent education center, which will be further highlighted during the first day open to the public.



“It’s the first time we’ve earmarked (money) for something like this,” Overton said. “We’re glad to get it off the ground.”

What:What: Fifth annual Cherish the Little Things Art Show Fifth annual Cherish the Little Things Art Show

What: Fifth annual Cherish the Little Things Art Show

Where:Where: Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave. Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave.

Where: Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave.

When:When: 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 13 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 13

When: 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11, 2 to 6 p.m. Feb. 12 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 13

Cost:Cost: The show is free, but votes by donation for winning artworks are welcome and will support a new parent education center. The show is free, but votes by donation for winning artworks are welcome and will support a new parent education center.

Cost: The show is free, but votes by donation for winning artworks are welcome and will support a new parent education center.

For more information:For more information: Call 970-824-1081. Call 970-824-1081.

For more information: Call 970-824-1081.

A lovely downtown stroll

The day before Valentine’s Day will be a time for good taste — in more ways than one.

The Art Walk and Taste of Chocolate will see multiple downtown businesses open their doors Feb. 13 to local artists of all media, including painting pottery, photography and more.

The space of downtown will be stretched out as much as possible, said Downtown Business AssociationDowntown Business Association member Nadine Daszkiewicz. member Nadine Daszkiewicz.

Downtown Business Association member Nadine Daszkiewicz.

Stations will be set up on the 400 and 500 blocks of Yampa Avenue, going as far north as Cherish the Little Things and as far south as Gretel’s Hair Studio, 449 Yampa Ave., and new business Bound By Ink, 406 Yampa Ave. Victory Way establishments Cramer Flooring and The Jungle Pet Shop will also be open for display.

Yampa Valley Young Professionals will host a fire pit in Alice Pleasant Park for people to warm up by as they hit the sidewalks.

The Art Walk is entirely free, but Taste of Chocolate, a sampling of multiple local confectionary talents is $12 apiece. And, with a firm 125 maximum in tickets, you’d better get yours before they sell out altogether.

However, though only one vote can be cast per ticket, multiple people can share in the flavor of each sample of chocolate.

“You can pick up a box and cut them all in half and certainly share the goodies,” Daszkiewicz said.

Daszkiewicz added that there is still time to sign up to provide chocolate dishes, the main requirement making enough to serve 125. Artists of all types are also welcome.

“You can never have too many artists or musicians or chocolate,” she said.

What:What: 21st annual Art Walk and 10th annual Taste of Chocolate 21st annual Art Walk and 10th annual Taste of Chocolate

What: 21st annual Art Walk and 10th annual Taste of Chocolate

Where:Where: 400 and 500 blocks of Yampa Avenue, part of Victory Way 400 and 500 blocks of Yampa Avenue, part of Victory Way

Where: 400 and 500 blocks of Yampa Avenue, part of Victory Way

When:When: 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13

Cost:Cost: Art Walk is free to view. Tickets for Taste of Chocolate are $12 apiece and available at The Kitchen Shop, KS Kreations Craft & Bakery and Favorite Things. Supplies are limited. Art Walk is free to view. Tickets for Taste of Chocolate are $12 apiece and available at The Kitchen Shop, KS Kreations Craft & Bakery and Favorite Things. Supplies are limited.

Cost: Art Walk is free to view. Tickets for Taste of Chocolate are $12 apiece and available at The Kitchen Shop, KS Kreations Craft & Bakery and Favorite Things. Supplies are limited.

For more information:For more information: Call 970-824-7898. Call 970-824-7898.

For more information: Call 970-824-7898.

Dance the night away

The final event of the weekend is in its infancy, but given the time of year, it will no doubt become a tradition as the years pass.

After viewing various artworks and sampling sugary delights, drop by the Center of Craig, the upper level of which will be dedicated to the Valentine’s Dance, returning after its first year in 2015.

“I’m thrilled that the DBA is hosting another dance this year,” said Craig Daily Press Editor Noelle Leavitt Riley, an organizer for the dance who volunteers with the DBA. “It’s just so much fun for community members to have a place to dance cheek to cheek with their loved ones.”

What:What: Second annual Valentine’s Dance Second annual Valentine’s Dance

What: Second annual Valentine’s Dance

Where:Where: Center of Craig second floor, 601 Yampa Ave. Center of Craig second floor, 601 Yampa Ave.

Where: Center of Craig second floor, 601 Yampa Ave.

When:When: 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13

Cost:Cost: Admission is free. Admission is free.

Cost: Admission is free.

For more information:For more information: Call 970-824-7898. Call 970-824-7898.For more information: Call 970-824-7898.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.