We celebrated Labor Day in the usual Yampa Valley style. This of course means taking a break from our work to enjoy the fruit of our labor,  and to play hard in the absence of hard work.

The weekend began with the 9th Annual Chili Cookoff

Now that name is a bit of a misnomer, so we’ll take the opportunity to explain. The first event was held nine years ago and was hosted in honor of the 100th year since Francis Marion Light opened the store in November of 1905. The celebration included games, music, and a 100 foot long birthday cake. It was such a great celebration that it was decided to do it again, only this time have a chili cookoff and host it over Labor Day weekend. This way more local business could be featured and, honestly, the first time around we ended up with a lot of extra cake.

This year’s turnout was excellent and included 20 different chilies in 3 categories, as well as 6 salsas and 3 cornbreads. Some of the local business represented included E3 Chophouse, each of Rex’s restaurant’s, and the Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Besides all the incredible food there was live bluegrass and country music from the bands Ragweed, Trevor G Potter with Rural Wreckage, and of course Steamboat’s own Yampa Valley Boys. Great times were had by all.

Now if you missed all of this fun, rest assured, the 10th Annual Chili Cookoff is bound to be just as spectacular.

PBR: Pro Bull Riders Bull Bash

As usual, the Pro Bull Rider’s Rocky Mountain Bull Bash concluded its tour in Steamboat Springs this year. Being such a great example of the western spirit, F.M. Lights is proud to sponsor the event, which brings some of the best bull riders in the world to the Yampa Valley.

Before the competition began, we were especially proud that the audience and the contestants joined together in singing the national anthem and paused for a moment of prayer. What a great example of how the American heritage remains strong in the west!

We are truly blessed to live in this great land and to play a part in maintaining this heritage that belongs to all of us. We hope your Labor Day was as successful as ours, and that next year we can all celebrate together in the same fashion!