When a tragic rock slide killed a local family in 2013, members of the Buena Vista community could never have foreseen how the hiking accident would bring the town together.
But four years later, the small mountain town of 2,778 people still comes together every year for the BV Strong Community Dinner -- right down the middle of Buena Vista's Main Street. And on Monday, September 25, the fourth annual event drew an estimated 3,600 people -- all in the name of community. [gallery size="medium" ids="24218,24220,24219"]We are a community that’s diverse in opinions and ideas; yet on this night, we focus on all we have in common as we eat together at one table," the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce website states. "We embrace the people we love and celebrate those we’ve lost, cheer our accomplishments, and anticipate the return to ‘just us’ as the summer season winds down.”In September of 2013, Buena Vista residents Dwayne and Dawna Johnson took their family -- two daughters and two nephews -- on a hike up to Agnes Vaille Falls, to see the changing aspens. But a rock slide down the side of Mount Princeton left four of them dead, with surviving daughter Gracie, then 13, saying her dad -- a football coach at Buena Vista High School -- shielded her and covered her in protection as the boulders buried the family. [caption id="attachment_24222" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
The Johnson family (L to R: Dwayne, Dakota Rain, Dawna, and Gracie); Image courtesy of Today Show[/caption]
The news left the town of Buena Vista reeling -- the Johnsons were a beloved, well-known family who were very active in the community, and nearly everyone in the town was affected in some way by the loss. It took 40 people more than four hours to free the victims from the rubble in what was called a "risky operation."
The idea to bring the town together for "just dinner" (in memory of the Johnson family) started in the high school and quickly caught on. The first BV Strong Community Dinner was held around the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in 2014, and everyone loved it so much that they just kept doing it -- every September.
[caption id="attachment_24217" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Image courtesy of Aaron Atencio[/caption]
Now the event, which is supported by the donations of local businesses and individuals, has evolved into a yearly tradition -- a time to put aside political differences and build friendships based on what community members have in common. There were 450 tables lining Buena Vista's Main Street at Monday's dinner, and 2,000 pounds of meat were served. Community members volunteered to sponsor tables, and everyone was encouraged to bring a side dish. The dinner was free to anyone who wanted to come.
We strive to create a locally-funded and locally-organized annual activity where the residents of Buena Vista come together in a nonpolitical, noncommercial, non-promotional event to share food and friendship as we celebrate and nurture a sense of community," the organizers' website states.In this day and age, it is so refreshing to see communities come together and find common ground! What are your thoughts about the event? Would you consider organizing a community dinner for your neighborhood or town? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! And if you attended the BV Strong Community Dinner, we'd love to see your photos! Submit them here!
