Pumpkin Fest returns to Montezuma Park in Cortez

From trick or treating to seasonal cuisine to games and prizes, the Pinon Project's Pumpkin Fest has it all. A buyer's education class for prospective home buyers will be in Cortez on October 29th. And help a community pantry stock up for the holidays through a food drive. You're watching the local news roundup brought to you by the LOR Foundation and Big O Tires. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. Pumpkin Fest returns to Montezuma Park in Cortez on Saturday, October 29th. The party starts at 9 a.m. with the zombie run and cake walk. Other events include a costume contest and a trick-or-treat loop on Main Street. The carnival runs from 12:30 to 3:00, and $5 buys unlimited games. For more information or to register for the 5k zombie run, go to pinonproject.org. With November right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about helping those in need with their Thanksgiving meal. The Cortez Retail Enhancement Association is hosting its first holiday food drive on Saturday, November 12th. Organizers are asking residents to help stuff the bus with donations of nonperishable food. Suggested donations include canned, bagged and boxed goods in original packaging. Anything with packaging that's already been open will not be accepted. The drive is taking place at Safeway on East Main Street, beginning at 8 a.m. on the 12th. Donations will benefit the Good Samaritan Center Food Pantry in Cortez. Prospective homebuyers in Cortez can learn the ins and outs of homebuying and the possible pitfalls at a home buyers education class on Saturday, October 29th. The class will cover topics like budgeting, real estate, lending, insurance and inspections. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center. Organizers ask that attendees not bring kids. Registration is $15. Email info@homesfund.org to sign up. That's it for this week's local news roundup. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.

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