Every now and then, it’s good to reflect on the wonderful things that Craig and Moffat County have to offer.

We’re halfway through the summer, and the Craig community kicked off the season with Grand Olde West Days and its annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous, where more attendees than ever participated in the festivities.

Up next, we have the Moffat County Balloon Festival and the Moffat County Fair.

This year, the balloon festival is slated to be bigger and better than ever, with pilots showcasing a record number of 21 hot air balloons compared to 15 balloons at last year’s festival.

The event will include the Colorado Cruisers Car Show at Loudy-Simpson Park for the first time, along with a new sporting activity called over-the-line, which is a variation of a bat and ball game, much like softball. And, of course, we can expect live music, food and beer vendors and retailers alike.

The balloon festival takes place Aug. 1 and 2, with the Moffat County Fair kicking off the next week.

The fair starts on Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 9, where 4-H participants will showcase various fair projects they’ve been working on all year. It’s home to the wild and muddy Catch-a-Pig contest at 6 p.m. Aug. 7 in the fairgrounds arena.

Aside from the balloon fest and the fair, there’s always something fun to do in Moffat County, whether it’s in Craig or at one of the amazing parks within the county.

Floating the Yampa River offers a cool respite from the heat. Grab a tube or a raft and take a dip in the Yampa Valley’s waterway. We’d like to kindly remind readers to float responsibly and throw trash in the garbage, not along the river.

Also within city limits is Craig’s state-of-the-art golf course, possessing gorgeous greenways and flowers throughout the course. Additionally, Craig has several very active softball teams.

If you’re looking for fun outside of Craig, the outskirts of Moffat County offer a plethora of options.

Take advantage of the tranquility that Dinosaur National Monument holds. On the Colorado side of the monument, you have Echo Park — which looks like it was plucked out of a mystical fantasy novel — Browns Park and Gates of Ladore to name a few. And this year is the 100th anniversary of the dinosaur quarry on the Utah side of the monument.

It’s amazing that some who have lived in Moffat County for decades have yet to visit Dinosaur National Monument. We encourage you to get out and enjoy its magnificence.

We hope that your adventures in Craig and Moffat County bring you relaxation, fun and happiness.