KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | "Fun" Winefest boosts local economy

"Fun" Winefest boosts local economy

DON COLEMAN
DCOLEMAN@KJCT8.COM

PALISADE, Colo. (KJCT) -- It was time to fill in those last-minute summer activities this weekend in the Grand Valley. The last weekend of summer was a busy one, across the community.

The event that highlighted the entire weekend was in Palisade - The Colorado Winefest. Even organizers said this one was all about promoting Colorado.

The gates opened at 10:30 Saturday morning, with people showing up by the dozens. "6,000 tickets were sold, we have 300 volunteers, and all of our wineries and vendors, so we'll probably max out at 7,000," said Winefest Director Sarah Catlin.

For some people, the Winefest is an annual getaway; a time for friends, a time for fun. Kathy Kinsey and her friends have been coming for the last five to seven years. "It's a blast," Kinsey said.

But for the communities of the Grand Valley, it's an economic booster. "[Our contractors] hire a lot of people, and they probably need work," Catlin said.

Catlin also said the event is helping out a tourism industry that's down 15% so far this year. She said the hotels are filling up. She attributes that directly to the Winefest. "I think the people want a day in the sunshine. I mean, it's so beautiful over here," she said.