Where the North Fork Meets the Smith Fork

HOTCHKISS

Known as “The Friendliest Town in the West,” Hotchkiss is nestled in the apex leading to Paonia via Highway 133 and Crawford on Highway 92. Hotchkiss is about 30 miles east of Delta. The scenery of the North Fork Valley is awesome with beautiful mountain ranges and lush pastures. Downtown Hotchkiss offers an eclectic blend of restaurants and shops.

The impressive Creamery Arts Center is located downtown. Just look for the dancing elephant statues, and you’ll know you’re there. The Creamery features local artists and artisans, plus workshops for all ages on stained glass, fused glass jewelry, clay, drawing, and painting. Call (970) 872-4848 or visit www.northforkarts.org for a schedule of workshops and art exhibits. The Creamery is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. A Sunday market features local produce.

The Delta County Fairgrounds are located on the east end of Hotchkiss through a historic stone archway. The fairgrounds offer a lovely shaded park, an event center, an arena, and Heritage Hall. Camping is available on site with showers. Events held at the fairgrounds include the River Awareness Float Trip, the North Fork Bluegrass and Roots Music Festival, and the Delta County Fair. North Fork River Improvement Association sponsors the River Awareness Float Trip once a year in May right before Mother’s Day. Call (970) 527-4614 for event details. Advanced reservations are required. Each float trip is great fun and allows people to see up close the improvements made to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The float trip is followed by a lunch and a silent auction benefiting the association.

The Delta County Fair is in early August. It’s everything you love about a fair - lots of prize livestock, rodeo events, a demolition derby, a variety of displays, and lots of food. It’s not to be missed.

Growing in popularity each year are the Hotchkiss Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials held each year on Mother’s Day weekend. Friday is for the novice class with competitive classes on Saturday and Sunday. The trials are held in the pasture one block south of downtown and west of the fairgrounds. Just look for all the cars, sheep dogs, and people. It’s easy to find.

The Ute Trail Car Club and the Hotchkiss Lion’s Club put on a spectacular car show at the park behind Zack’s Bar-B-Q on the east end of town. The event is held on Saturday before Mother’s Day. Don’t miss the North Fork Valley’s biggest car show of the year. Rounding out Mother’s Day weekend are the “All Roads Lead to Hotchkiss” yard sales Friday through Sunday.

HOTCHKISS- CRAWFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Summer hours at the new Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum are 1-4 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visitors are invited to see many of the “newest old” treasures on display in the five new exhibit cases, as well as old favorites which can be viewed throughout the museum and pioneer cabin. Among the items on display are newly acquired [2007] grinding stones, a lard press, postcard photos dated 1910, a beautiful scythe, butter churn, braided rug, cookbook, a box camera, stamps used for fruit boxes, a fabulous robe from the Knights of Pythias, and some marvelous photos of Crawford from days gone by.

The museum is located at the corner of Second Street and Hotchkiss Avenue in downtown Hotchkiss. Appointments for tours can be arranged by calling the museum, (970) 872-3780.

HOTCHKISS NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

Did you ever wonder where all those fish come from that are used to stock lakes, streams, and reservoirs?

Then visit the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery located one mile south of Lazear on the north bank of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Established in 1967, the hatchery is part of a system of nearly 65 federal hatcheries operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nationwide.

The drive to Crawford on Highway 92 along the West Elk Scenic Byway is a personal favorite for repeat visitors to the area. Ranches fill the landscape on the way into downtown.

The Wild, Wild West Pioneer Days Celebration is in early June. A huge parade, elk calling contests, kids’ games, entertainment, a melodrama, local arts and crafts, and baking contests make this a must-see event. 2007 was the 29^th anniversary of the annual tribute to Crawford’s western heritage. After all, Crawford is known as “A Proud American Cowtown.”

The Friends of Crawford State Park, with the help of the Colorado Department of Wildlife, host free fishing clinics for kids during Crawford Pioneer Days in early June. In 2007, the friends gave away over 100 fishing poles to children at the event. Kids will also be taught how to fillet and prepare their fish on site.

Crawford’s ninth annual Render the Rock is on a Saturday early in September. In 2007, for the first time, it was held in in the beautiful Smith Fork Valley. Render the Rock is an invitation to artists worldwide to capture the majesty of the West Elk Mountains and such popular landmarks such as Needle Rock, Cathedral Peak, Castle Rock, and Sleeping Indian. Artists of all ages can use the medium of their choice. The event culminates with awards and an auction of the artists’ works. The proceeds are used for community improvements.

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