Holiday events and craft shows will take place in Dolores and Cortez after some were canceled last year because of the pandemic.

On Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, Grace’s Kitchen and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will host the 19th annual Montezuma County Thanksgiving Community Dinner.

The meals will be served to go from noon to 2 p.m., and the location will be shared upon sign-up. For delivery, sign up by noon Nov. 22. To volunteer, donate or sign up for meals, email stbarnabascortez@gmail.com or call 565-7865.

The Dolores Turkey Trot will take place Thanskgiving Day at 9 a.m. at the Dolores High School parking lot. Costumes are encouraged. Bring nonperishable foodstuff, which will be distributed by the Dolores Family Project to residents.

On Dec. 4, the Dolores Community Center and Dolores River Brewery will host craft bazaars all day.

The community center craft show will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Santa Claus will make a visit from 10-11 a.m.

This is the event’s 30th year, said organizer Ruby Gonzales.

“We’ve got 53 vendors. There is more interest and excitement this year after last year’s cancellations,” she said.

Breakfast and lunch will be served by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Vendors are coming from around the Four Corners area. Because of last year’s quarantines and cancellations, homebound craft makers have been busy, and have large inventories, Gonzales said.

“The tables will be really stocked with wonderful and beautiful homemade items,” she said. “You can get all your Christmas shopping done in one day, then most folks head down to the Parade of Lights in Cortez.”

Also on Dec. 4, the arts and craft show at the Dolores River Brewery will return with live music and refreshments. It runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artists include Dunmire’s Flirt Skirts, Jennifer’s Asian Imports, Willy and Me Chocolates, Hands of the Heart Ceramics and Moonflower Studio Embroidery.

After shopping in Dolores check out the Four Corners Board of Realtor's Parade of Lights Dec. 4 in Cortez. Floats begin lining up at 4 p.m. on South Maple Street, and the parade starts at 6 p.m. on Main Street.

“All Santa’s Helpers” is the theme this year. The last day to enter is Dec. 2 by 5 p.m. See The Journal story for an entry form or call 970-565-2000 ext. 117.

On Dec. 22, a holiday luncheon will be held at the Dolores Community Center at 11 a.m. Musician Ellis Miller will perform Christmas carols on the piano and guitar. Donations for meals are encouraged.