Editorial: Defining a destination
Our View
A string of successful community events this summer is encouraging to long-term tourism viability in Craig and Moffat County. It also provides proof that the complaint, there’s nothing to do here, isn’t as accurate as some believe.
Our View
A string of successful community events this summer is encouraging to long-term tourism viability in Craig and Moffat County. It also provides proof that the complaint, there’s nothing to do here, isn’t as accurate as some believe.
With two successful tourist events in the rearview mirror, and hopefully a third on the horizon, Craig and Moffat County has been a busy place this summer, and one fortunate to have such activities.
The Moffat County Fair recently wrapped up its 92nd year, and judging by the performance of youths, feedback from community members, and the quality of projects and animals entered, this was another year of achievement for participants and organizers.
But, that’s not the only event that’s drawing praise.
Our community is also coming off the inaugural Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival, which launched over the weekend from the Wyman Museum and the Craig-Moffat County Airport.
Next up is the Colorado State BBQ Championships scheduled to take place Thursday through Saturday at the Wyman Museum.
Sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society and the Rocky Mountain BBQ Association, the competition marks the first time such a prestigious cook-off event has taken place in Northwest Colorado.
All in all, this lineup doesn’t exactly contribute to the long-held complaint that there’s nothing to do in Craig, does it?
Organizers of these events should be commended, the Editorial Board contends, not only for working hard to provide local residents with affordable, family-friendly outlets, but in bringing tourists and economic development to the community.
It’s important to note that private businesses have been as much a part of bringing these events to the area as have public entities.
True, Moffat County contributes largely to the fair, and the county-owned The Memorial Hospital is a sponsoring agency in the barbecue competition, but don’t overlook that the balloon festival was a private endeavor and private business is also a contributor to the barbecue event.
Perhaps there’s something to be learned by that combination — that it takes an assortment of help, organization, cooperation and funding to make a community an attractive destination.
That’s a philosophy that hasn’t always been embraced in Craig or Moffat County.
But, if recent history is any indication, maybe this is a start.
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