SAN LUIS — San Luis will be the place to be Oct. 13-14. The Town of San Luis and the Costilla County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) have been working for to settle various issues and to renovate the beautiful white Sangre de Cristo Cultural Heritage Center in the middle of San Luis. Issues have been resolved.

With the renovations that have been done to the theater, museum, and commercial kitchen, which comprises the Cultural Heritage Center, the town is ready for its unveiling Oct. 13-14. Come celebrate Envision San Luis with the mission “Rise Higher!” and see the beautiful oak beam ceiling in the theater, the renovated museum, and commercial kitchen and learn the future plans for the Sangre de Cristo Cultural Heritage Center, where people will once again be able to study and learn about the unique history and culture of the San Luis Valley.

San Luis Town Manager Susan Sanderford has been involved in a number of projects to revitalize San Luis — like opening a visitor center, starting a monthly art co-op, and partnering with organizations like Downtown Colorado, to promote and support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The festivities start Oct. 13 from 9-11:30 a.m. Downtown Colorado Inc. will host a summit meeting at the San Luis Coffee Company, part of the growing number of businesses in San Luis, for those with the entrepreneurial spirit who want to learn more about starting a small business in a small town.

People can also find out about business opportunities in San Luis Valley at a "creative opportunity fair" following the summit at 11:30 a.m. at the Heritage Center Theater. Throughout the day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be people from Downtown Colorado Inc. to tell business owners what is involved in redeveloping a property and what cleanup assessments are needed. Members of the community like Dana Maestas and the Soul Players of the Valley have been working diligently to clean the museum classroom theater and commercial kitchen.

A celebration wouldn't be complete without musical entertainment. It is a rare chance to see an important band in Hispanic music, Little Joe y La Familia Oct. 13 from 3:30-5 p.m. The band has had a 50-year career, winning five Grammy Awards, being inducted into the Texas Tejano Hall of Fame. At 82, Little Joe and his band are still going strong. Most recently, they received the 2023 National Heritage Fellowship, which is the highest honor the National Endowment for the Arts gives for traditional and folk arts. Tickets are still available before Oct. 13 for $40, and $50 at the door. Call San Luis Town Hall for tickets and more information, 719-672-3321. The music continues from 7-9 p.m. with DJ CRL CRRLL for a fun, family affair.

The celebration of the (partial) opening of the Sangre de Cristo Cultural Heritage Center continues Oct. 14. Start the morning with a free yoga class by Amy Raney, owner of Spin Drift Sandboards and a yoga instructor at the Blanca-Fort Garland Community Center, from 9-10 a.m. in the Heritage Center courtyard. The Sangre de Cristo church will hold a garage sale from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. CCEDC will conduct tours showcasing the renovations that have been made and share the future plans for the building 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be additional vendors and food available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In conjunction with the Envision San Luis celebration, the San Luis Coffee Company is having an October Fiesta on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy brats with kraut served all day while listening to the sounds of local bluegrass/country band Still Whiskey from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Then Aaron and Gabe DJ 2:30-4:30 p.m. Another favorite band, Indian Nickel plays from 5-7 p.m.