Our View

Now in its fifth year, one might expect the novelty of the Sundance Winter Festival to have worn off for the people of this community. The impressive crowds that turned out for the first couple of years would, in many parts of the world, have dwindled over time into a tiny, hardcore following.

But not here in Sundance. Here, it seems as though the community experienced a revival of town spirit when the festival was launched and has continued to stand in support of an event that it turns out really does cast our little city in an excellent light.

Since its inception, we believe that Winterfest has showcased the very best of what we have to offer. Our sense of fun and adventure, our willingness to think outside the box, our courtesy and friendly natures and, of course, the wonders of the outdoors that have always set Crook County apart.

From the good sports who are willing to take a tumble for the enjoyment of the crowd to the hard workers who transform a normal street into a winter wonderland for one day. From the community that creates the fantastic atmosphere the festival is known for to the patient residents who find a different route through town while the course is being laid.

To make a festival like this a success, it takes, as they say, a village.

Whether you’re right now putting the finishing touches on your bar stool costume or just waiting for the big day to giggle at the inevitable mishaps, the Sundance Winter Festival has become a success because of you. You have not only made it possible for the event to continue providing the laughs and hollers we’ve all come to enjoy, you’ve made this city a place that a lot of people can’t resist visiting for a day.

The original intent of Winterfest and its sister event, the Sundance Beer Festival, was to add to existing events such as the pumpkin festival and Rally Wednesday and transform Sundance into a festival community. This, in turn, was intended to attract interest to our city and commerce to our businesses. We would argue it has done much more than that.

Our festivals have given us something to be very proud of indeed. They have brought us all together in a common cause and rewarded us with days of enjoyment that are just as much for the community as for anyone else. It’s not just the visitors who get to see what a fantastic place Sundance can be – it’s also a reminder to those of us lucky enough to already call this city home.

We would like to thank both those who organize the events and make them happen each year and those who full-heartedly give the festivals their support. Here’s to many more years of skis, pumpkins and craft beers on Main Street.