A BIG BEACON thank you: Highlights from Montrose-Delta BeaconFest 2024

At this year’s Montrose-Delta BeaconFest, more than 1,400 people walked through the doors of Montrose Pavilion, excited to immerse themselves in a day filled with entertainment, resources and giveaways at Colorado’s largest and funnest celebration of age!

Jedi George kicked off the show’s entertainment, followed by newcomer Eric Gross on piano, Robin Freed and the Harps in Motion Ensemble, and a surprise guest stepping in for his daughter who couldn’t make it—Donny Morales, delivering his soulful vocals.

Local experts shared their advice about Medicare, holistic wellness and breakthrough medical treatments to curious seniors who attended our free seminars.

BEACON readers selected Karen Locke, a dynamic long-time volunteer with HopeWest and Heirlooms for Hospice in Delta, for this year’s Volunteer of the Year award. She and and six other marvelous volunteers were honored at the stage for their altruistic support of local nonprofits.

Our Volunteers of the Year, from left: Jim & Sue Barnosky (City of Delta), Karen Locke (Heirlooms for Hospice), Hartland Clubb Jr. (Valley Symphony), Bryan Cashion and Sara Ungrodt (Montrose Botanical Society). Not pictured: John Britton (Montrose Animal Services).

As if the seminars, live entertainment and vendor booths weren’t enough, attendees were thrilled by the chance to win door prizes every 30 minutes. We gave away gift baskets, restaurant gift cards, several rounds of golf, free oil changes, bowling, movie passes and more! Thank you to all of the businesses who donated the wonderful gifts that made these drawings so exciting.

BeaconFest wouldn’t have been the same without the friendly support of more than 100 vendors who set up booths, and our show sponsors: Valley View Heart & Vascular Center, Volunteers of America, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, 970 Medicare, Crossroads Senior Living, Colorow Care Center, Elk Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center and The Lodge at Grand Junction. Each booth painted a picture of its own unique offerings to create a fair of local businesses that value being a part of the senior community.

To our volunteers, entertainers and most importantly, you, our guests, thank you for coming to BeaconFest and for reading the BEACON!

About Our 2024 Volunteer of the Year:
Karen Locke

For over 15 years, Karen has been a dedicated volunteer at Heirlooms for Hospice in Delta, where her energy, passion and commitment have uplifted HopeWest’s mission. She also volunteers at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center in Cedaredge and the Cedaredge Golf Course, where she helps organize the bi-annual art show featuring local artists. Karen’s generosity and service make her a shining example of what it means to truly care for others.