Still riding the ‘good vibes’

Editor:

We at South Main are still riding the good vibes of Sanctuary Somatics' 2nd annual Music Cruise After Party. What began as a hopeful idea has become a tradition the community greatly anticipates. This year's gathering reminded us just how lucky we are to live in a valley where so many people say yes to coming together around music, bikes, local resources, and fresh food.

Our townie takeover was more than 250 bicycles strong. The celebration grew to over 350 people at the Sanctuary Somatics block party. Thank you to every cyclist who rode with joy and care through the streets of Gunnison. Thank you to the neighbors who waved and cheered us on as we rolled slowly through town. 

Tiger Electric created the perfect surf punk vibe for the Cruise. Fuerza Cora Brasil Musical brought vibrant rhythms to the After Party. DJ Skyler of Gunnison Valley Entertainment kept the good energy flowing long after the sun went down.

A heartfelt thank you to Maryo Ewell and the City of Gunnison, who first imagined bringing music to the streets during that strange season in 2020 when we wondered how we would gather again. Six years later, the Cruise is still going strong. Thank you to the Resiliency Project, the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce, Gunnison Gardens, and Mountain Roots Food Project for continuing to sponsor this uniquely Gunnison tradition.

Thank you to Deputy Chief Frank Rodriguez and the Gunnison Police Department for leading the ride and keeping everyone safe. Thank you to Hugo Ferchau and crew from the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department for bringing the Firetruck and adding an extra dash of fun to the route. Deep appreciation to Ricardo Esqueda (The Resiliency Project), Marisela Ballesteros (City of Gunnison), and Yamel Palacios Aguirre (Fluent Connections) for providing interpretation, translation, and helping make this celebration more welcoming and inclusive.

We are incredibly grateful to Gunnison Gardens for harvesting fresh veggies the morning of the event, preparing delicious farm-to-table salads, and serving them for free. Thank you to Matt Ozyp of Iola Valley Farm for providing delicious local beef for Powerwagon's outstanding hamburgers. Thank you to the Pelayo Family for serving incredible tacos and refreshing aguas frescas. Thank you to Joel at City Market for donating the sweetest watermelon ever. Churro Mio, people were thrilled to see you back this year. Your churros have already become a highly anticipated part of the tradition. A special thank you to Signal Peak Pots - clean, dependable, and always there when nature calls. 

Thank you to our community partners who shared resources and inspiration throughout the evening: Mountain Roots Food Project, GRASP, Gunnison Trails, Fluent Connections, Gunnison County Health and Human Services, Gunnison Valley Health Mobile Crisis Services, CSU Extension, Maya Wellness Center, Ren Hoskin of Instinctive, Q's Reflexology Spa, and Jill Steele Hypnotherapy.

Thank you to Amanda Sage and The Vision Train for bringing a global vibe to our homegrown celebration. Thank you to Fullmer's Ace Hardware for lending tents, donating candles, and serving as a true community hub by helping distribute hundreds of flyers to our hardworking community.

Thank you to Mallory Logan (Roshambo) and Jennifer Swift (Swifthaus Design) for their beautiful graphic designs. Much gratitude to the amazing Kez Catania, the Sanctuary’s Studio Manager, for always being willing to jump in (and up on the roof!) when needed.

Thank you to Joe Bob Merritt and Amanda for continually opening Sanctuary Somatics, Blue Thunder Circle, and the South Main Industrial Park for Good to community gatherings that celebrate creativity, health, music, and belonging.

Finally, thank you to the many volunteers whose names aren't listed here but whose hands made all of this possible. From setting up tents and tables, harvesting veggies, serving food, hauling equipment, cleaning up, and quietly tackling challenges behind the scenes, this event exists because so many people are willing to show up for one another.

As we looked around that evening, we saw neighbors meeting neighbors, kids dancing with grandparents, conversations between people who might never have crossed paths otherwise, and hundreds of people simply enjoying being together. That is the heart of this event.

Creating spaces where people can connect, belong, and build resilience together is one of the missions of Sanctuary Somatics. Thank you for making that dream a reality once again.

Heidi Magnus
Gunnison