MONTE VISTA — People from the San Luis Valley and outside of it were in Monte Vista on March 8-10 for the 41st annual Monte Vista Crane Festival.

The Craft and Nature Fair took place all three days at the Outcalt Event and Conference at SLV Ski-Hi Complex.

Dozens of vendors were set up inside with baked goods, homemade items, wood working, specialty art crafts, clothing, and jewelry.

The Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank was at the fair selling all kinds of goodies. The Kindness Club had a booth, Pam Self of the Homelake Veterans Living Center was also at the craft show.

Alfonso Duran was a vendor at the trade show and said, “I am happy to be here. This morning was a sheet of ice coming in. I live in Bailey, Colorado. This is my fourth or fifth time here. I missed the year when there was COVID. This is the first time I have ever come with snow out here, usually it’s beautiful when the cranes come in. It’s been a little slow this morning, but I bet it will pick up by this afternoon. Same thing yesterday. I enjoyed the Crane Festival. Lots to see.”

Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Manager Heather Hillin was at the vendor event and said, “Things are going well. We have had a lot of people come out. We look forward to a lot more. The snow won’t slow it down. I think it’s going well despite the snow.”

In addition to the Craft and Nature Fair, there were crane tours that took place mornings and evenings on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday morning. The crane tours ranged from the Baca Wetlands, to Homelake, and the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The tours were expert led and included viewing of multiple different wildlife, including ducks, geese, owls, and Sandhill Cranes. The weather was chilly but each morning the buses left for the tours, and the tours were all sold out. New this year was a Spanish led tour.

An art exhibit took place featuring artist Jocelyn Catterson. The movie “Migration” was also shown at Vali 3 Theatre for free. The animated movie followed a family of ducks on the vacation of a lifetime.

Marigold Watson and her daughter Daisy of Crestone were in town in front of the Sandhill wings mural on the side of the Elks Lodge in downtown Monte Vista, taking pictures.

Watson said, “My daughter was all excited about taking a picture in front of these wings. This is her first time experiencing cranes, she just turned 5, and she giggled when I took her out to the refuge, and she watched the cranes flying around. I would recommend locals and out of towners to come to this every year. I come every year. This is an experience that you will never forget. Whether you go on a crane tour or drive yourself there, I did both, you just can’t forget the beauty of the cranes, how they roost, how they fly, and how they play together. It is one of the most breathtaking experiences I have ever had. I also now have memories with my daughter, and I know she won’t forget it either. An amazing experience for the San Luis Valley and Monte Vista.”

The fifth annual Swoop of the Cranes art project was also on display throughout downtown. Blank steel cranes were painted by local artists and hung on light poles right before the Crane Festival for people to enjoy.

Even though the festival is over, the cranes will be here for a couple of weeks. Local and out of town residents are encouraged to drive to the refuge and experience the cranes during their spring migration.