Pinetop Lakeside Chamber reports successful fall festival, unveils business‑beautification initiative

Mike Moffenbeier, president of the Pinetop Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, used the public‑comment period to report on the recent Fall Artisan Festival and to preview a new business‑beautification effort.

Moffenbeier said weather affected the festival on one day but Saturday and Sunday were “really successful,” with strong volunteer support and well‑received performers, singling out pumpkin carver Ray Villafane and volunteer leader Kelly Estill of Christie’s Ski and Board Shop. He said final financial numbers are not yet available but that the chamber appears to have realized a small surplus after first‑year expenses.

Nut graf: The chamber’s first festival under new leadership drew community volunteers and vendors and generated momentum for a broader initiative the chamber calls IMGEG (Improvement, Maintenance, Aesthetics, Growth and Engagement), which Moffenbeier hopes to present to the council in more detail in a future meeting.

Moffenbeier also announced upcoming chamber board elections and invited interested residents to contact pinetopchamber@gmail.com.

Ending: He thanked the town for its support and said the chamber looks forward to presenting more details about IMGEG and to next year’s festival.