The 50 metal crane silhouettes in Monte Vista’s downtown are getting ready to come down. Photo by Rebecca Copley

MONTE VISTA - After going up for the Crane Festival this spring, the 50 metal crane silhouettes mounted on light poles in Monte Vista’s downtown are getting ready to come down. The art exhibit created and organized by Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce member Ken Hamko, was a great success this year and plans are already in the works to do it again next year. According to Hamko, there is already a committee started through the Chamber for the next year’s “Swoop of the cranes,” exhibit.

Of the 50 cranes that were displayed this year, 35 of them have been bought back by the sponsors and artists. The 15 that are left will be put up for auction on eBay where those interested can try to purchase one of these unique masterpieces for themselves. The proceeds will go to fund beautification projects in Monte Vista. Originally they had planned to do an in-person event for the crane auction but due to COVID-19 it had to all be moved online.

Hamko shared that they are encouraging sponsors and artists that bought back their cranes to bring them back to be displayed again next year along with new ones. “We’ll do another 50 hopefully and the people that bought them this year can bring them back and we’ll put them on display also,” said Hamko adding, “The new ones will be on the light posts and the returning ones we’re looking at fastening to the fence at Fullenweider (park).”

 Since they went up in March, people have been able to go online to vote for their favorite cranes. There is still time to vote so make sure you go and vote for your favorite! The artist who wins will be announced on the Chamber’s Facebook page. You can go online to see all the cranes and vote at : https://www.montevistachamber.org/swoop-of-the-cranes.html. Or you can also scan the QR code attached on the back of your favorite crane to cast your vote.

Currently the cranes are scheduled to start coming down Sept. 8, 9. Although it’s sad to see the colorful birds gone from the streets, excitement is already growing to see what artists will create for next year. So get out and vote before this year’s cranes have flown home for the winter.