13-02-2025
Cedaredge Applefest could go away if vendor pricing doesn't increase, town says
CEDAREDGE, Colo. (KREX) — Applefest is a free-to-the-public event that brings in up to 20,000 people from across the state to the small town of Cedaredge, pressed up against the Grand Mesa.
Vendors for the annual fall event may see a big change in the future.
The Town of Cedaredge organizes the event, and they're considering upping the costs by 30%, stating, 'if nothing is done, we will continue to run into the red which leads to the potential for this festival to be cut from the 2026 budget.'
Cats on Main Owner Cathy Trimmer says the event means just as much to brick-and-mortar stores on Main Street as it does to traveling vendors. She believes the increase would 'impact everybody.'
Starr's Guitars Owner David Starr has helped the town manage the live band performances for over twenty years. He tells WesternSlopeNow, 'you're going to have some people who are vendors who simply say I can't afford that or I think it's prohibitive or whatever.'
Out of Surface Creek Valley vendors could see anywhere from a $65 increase to a $200 increase.
An alternative given in the proposal states if rates were to stay the same, there would be cuts in merchandise, publication and staffing.
This is not a set in stone decision – the Board of Trustees will make a final call on Feb. 20.
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