COME TO LIFE / 2017 Calendar of Events & Festivals BUENA VISTA PADDLEFEST MAY 26–29 On and around the Arkansas River, the event for those wanting to learn, play and watch others on the water. Music, gear swaps, pro kayaking, speakers, races, vendors and more. 719-395-9206, ckspaddlefest.com 1921. This fully sanctioned CPRA small-town rodeo offers mutton bustin’, calf roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, bronc busting and more. Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 1pm. 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org ical reenactments, beer garden, third leg of Triple Crown Burro Race, duck race (win monetary prizes), toilet-seat races, 100 vendors, gem panning and more. 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org/ buena-vista-gold-rush-days self-guided ATV tour takes you into 14er country. Enjoy ghost towns, mountain passes and golden aspens. Registration includes shirt, Sat. dinner and 4 breakfasts. 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org DENVER STAR WARS™ AND THE POWER OF COSTUME THROUGH APRIL 2 Take a unique journey into the Star Wars™ universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 70 original cos-tumes. 303-892-1505, powerofcostumedenver.com Nationally recognized Western heritage and entertain-ment with one of the world’s richest regular-season pro rodeos, one of the country’s largest horse shows and a Western tradeshow. 303-892-1505, milehighholidays. com DURANGO WINE EXPERIENCE MAY 4–6 Celebrate food and wine in Durango! Experience three delicious days of seminars, wine dinners and unique tastings featuring hundreds of wineries, artisan spirits and craft beers. 970-459-1009, durangowine.com MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL & CONSERVATORY JULY 9–30 An exceptional summer classical music festival and conservatory with musicians of the highest caliber. See unbelievable performances in a variety of spectacular venues. 970-385-6820, musicinthemountains.com A celebration of the rich culture and heritage of the American Cowboy. Poets, storytellers and musicians from throughout the country grace us with classic and contemporary performances. 970-749-2995, durangocowboypoetrygathering.org the award-winning book, the story of a child’s Christmas Eve journey comes alive on board this historic steam train to the North Pole! Visit our website for specific dates. 970-247-2733, 888-872-4607, durangotrain.com COLLEGIATE PEAKS STAMPEDE RODEO JUNE 10–11 Since NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW & RODEO JAN. 7–22 DURANGO COWBOY POETRY GATHERING OCT. 5–8 GOLD RUSH DAYS AUG. 12–13 Free live music, histor-DENVER RESTAURANT WEEK FEB. 24–MARCH 5 A 10-day celebration of the culinary scene in Denver. Hundreds of participating restaurants offer multicourse dinners at three different fixed prices: $25, $35 and $45 per person. 303-892-1505, denverrestaurantweek.com Experience a myth-busting exhibition that has capti-vated a million people around the world. Marvel at the Viking culture’s surprising refinement, complexity and achievement. 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com THE POLAR EXPRESS™ MID-NOV.–EARLY JAN. Based on ATV HISTORICAL COLOR TOUR SEPT. 19–23 This annual VIKINGS: BEYOND THE LEGEND MARCH 10–AUG. 13 CENTRAL CITY 70TH ANNUAL JURIED SHOW JUNE 3–AUG. 6 Come celebrate our historic annual show at Washington Hall Gallery in Central City. The oldest, continuous show in the state! 303-582-5952, gilpinarts.org RED ROCKS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES APRIL 1–OCT. 31 No summer in Denver is complete without a trip to ESTES PARK ESTES PARK WINTER FESTIVAL JAN. 14–15 Celebrate the winter season in Estes Park! Taste award-winning chili at the chili cook-off, dance to great music, enjoy family activities and sip a variety of Colorado beer and wine. 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com/winter-fest tooting whistles fill the air, as trains chug along a variety of model railroad scenes, kids explore with a scavenger hunt and all ages marvel at the massive Lego train model. 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com/events things horror, featuring classic and contemporary cine-ma, fun parties and unique events — all in the setting of Estes Park’s haunted, historic Stanley Hotel. 970-586-3371, 800-443-7837, visitestespark.com/events at this market featuring original art, one-of-a-kind antiques, unique clothing and jewelry, handmade trea-sures and upcycled home décor, live music and delish food trucks. 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com/events the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre, flanked by sandstone rock formations. Check out the star-studded concert schedule. 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com summer in The Mile High City. Experience unforgettable exhibitions, sporting events and free live music at Denver Day of Rock. 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com of downtown Denver. The celebration includes family activities, live music, a parade, dancing and entertain-ment. Show your pride in The Mile High City. 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com weekend the highlight of your summer in The Mile High City. Explore unique exhibitions, an Independence Eve celebration and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com from across the nation will showcase their work in the Cheesman Park Art Fest. Enjoy live music, food trucks and a wide variety of arts and crafts! dashevents denver.com MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 26–29 Kick off your CRAIG & MAYBELL GRAND OLD WEST DAYS MAY 26–29 Memorial Day week-end full of fun for the whole family with ranch bronc rid-ing, carnival, concert, parade, barn dance, live music, Ranch Rodeo, draft-horse show and more. 970-326-6368, grandoldewestdays.com the Wood in Craig features head-to-head competition between a dozen experienced chainsaw carvers pro-ducing years’ worth of static art displays throughout Moffat County. 970-826-2029, visitmoffatcounty.com into fall on the heels of Moffat County’s Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Loudy-Simpson Park. 970-826-4444, mcballoonfestival.com RAILS IN THE ROCKIES FEB. 18–19 Clanging bells and PRIDEFEST JUNE 17–18 Discover PrideFest in the heart STANLEY FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 27–30 A showcase of all WHITTLE THE WOOD RENDEZVOUS JUNE 14–18 Whittle 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND JUNE 30–JULY 4 Make this holiday VINTAGE MARKET DAYS MAY 19–21 Shop and be inspired MOFFAT COUNTY BALLOON FESTIVAL AUG. 4–5 Float CHEESMAN PARK ART FEST JULY 29–30 130 juried artists ESTES PARK WINE FESTIVAL AUG. 12–13 Celebrate SOMBRERO RANCHES GREAT AMERICAN HORSE DRIVE & MAYBELL HERITAGE DAYS MAY 7 Experience 600–800 ranch horses trotting through the heart of the town of Maybell. Stay for Heritage Days in the Maybell Park. Don’t miss Sand Wash Basin wild horses or Browns Park area. 970-985-9924, visitmoffatcounty.com FROZEN BEGINS AUG. 1 From Disney comes the beloved tale of two sisters torn apart and their journey to find their way back to each other. See this highly anticipat-ed new musical before it makes its Broadway debut! 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com Colorado wines under blue skies in the Rocky Mountains! Enjoy tastings from a variety of wineries, savor fresh food, shop local vendors and dance to live music. 970-586-0500, visitestespark.com/events elk fill the air during crisp fall days. Celebrate the elk rut at this free event with gold leaves, music, craft beer, elk-themed activities and a variety of vendors. 970-577-9900, 800-443-7837, visitestespark.com/elktober the brewers, watch beer be made, taste endless variet-ies of brews and swing to bluegrass at this celebration of beer and the people who make it! 970-577-9900, 800-473-7837, visitestespark.com/events ESTES PARK ELK FEST SEPT. 30–OCT. 1 The calls of the bull CREEDE TASTE OF CREEDE, A FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS AND FINE DINING MAY 27–28 A festival of fine arts and dining on Main Street. Contests of culinary aspect and displays of a variety of artistic creations. Art displays, demonstra-tions with auction on Sunday. 719-658-2374, creede. com/events/eventdetail/433/-/taste-of-creede.html 50TH ANNUAL DENVER GEM & MINERAL SHOW SEPT. 15–17 Gold & Silver is the theme of the 50th Annual Denver Gem & Mineral Show, which features speakers, exhibits, kids’ activities and more than 150 mineral, fossil and gemstone dealers. 303-495-5521, denvershow.org of beer features more than 150 beer-related events at area breweries, restaurants, tap houses and attractions. 303-892-1505, denverbeerfest.com FALL BACK BEER FEST NOV. 4 Enjoy fun seminars, talk with DENVER BEER FEST SEPT. 29–OCT. 7 This huge celebration LABOR DAY CELEBRATION, BALLOON FESTIVAL & MORE SEPT. 1–3 Two-, 12-, 22-mile Mountain Runs and Walk, DENVER ARTS WEEK NOV. 3–11 Discover seven vibrant art FORT MORGAN BOBSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 7–8 Two days of con-tinuous free live bands, vendors, food and beer at the annual Bobstock Music Festival. Activities for kids and adults throughout both days. 970-542-3508, morgancountytourism.com Car Show is a wonderful and fun car show held in north-eastern Colorado, featuring around 275 entrants each year. Held on the third weekend in September. 970-768-7469, fallharvestcarshow.org Salsa Fiesta, balloon festival, Gravity Derby, ATV Rodeo, children’s activities and live music on Main. 719-658-2374, creede.com districts and 300+ unique events across music, theater, film, dance, museums and more, including Denver Film Festival and Free Night at the Museums. 303-892-1505, denverartsweek.com to life during the holiday season with millions of twinkling lights, parades, seasonal performances, special events and more. Plan your unforgettable holiday getaway. 303-892-1505, milehighholidays.com CREEDE’S FALL COLOR CRUISIN’ THE CANYON CAR SHOW SEPT. 15–17 Cruisin’ the Canyon fall-color car, truck and motorcycle show on historic Main Street in Creede. 719-658-2374, creede.com MILE HIGH HOLIDAYS NOV. 15–JAN. 21 Denver comes FALL HARVEST CAR SHOW SEPT. 15–17 The Fall Harvest THE 27TH CREEDE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL NOV. 25–26 Yes, chocolate! Tickets are limited, buy at Creede.com. Eat, shop the stores and vote for your favorite choco-late. 11am–4pm 719-658-2374, creede.com DURANGO DURANGO FILM – AN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 1–5 Durango Film brings a community together with independent filmmakers for the unique opportu-nity to experience and discuss global, innovative and diverse films. Durango is the ideal location for fun and film. 970-375-7779, durangofilm.org/wp FRUITA FRUITA FAT TIRE FESTIVAL APRIL 27–30 Ride miles of pristine mountain bike trails and meet friends from around the world in western Colorado. VIP party, live bands and a top cycling expo in the USA. 303-635-2815, fruitafattirefestival.com Celebrate the 19th Annual Mike the Headless Chicken Festival June 2 and 3, 2017, in Fruita. 970-858-0360, miketheheadlesschicken.org/mike event featuring fun for the whole family with a carnival, 140+ vendor booths, two stages with live music, races, parades, contests and more! 970-858-3894, fruitafallfestival.com CRESTED BUTTE CRESTED BUTTE MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 24–AUG. 5 CBMF will present a multitude of events this summer, including symphony, chamber, family music and educational programs. Rent CBMF’s spiegeltent for your wedding or special event. 970-349-0619, crestedbuttemusic festival.org DURANGO RAGTIME & EARLY JAZZ FESTIVAL MARCH 24–26 Step into the heart of the Old West for MIKE THE HEADLESS CHICKEN FESTIVAL JUNE 2–3 the 5th Annual Ragtime Festival in Durango. Dance les-sons, silent movies with live ragtime, after-hours parties, food and more. 970-247-4431, 800-247-4431, durangoragtimefestival.com FRUITA FALL FESTIVAL SEPT. 22–24 This is a three-day 86 / COLORADO.COM
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