COME TO LIFE / 2017 Calendar of Events & Festivals LONGMONT HOPS & HANDRAILS MARCH 11 Hops + Handrails Beer Fest & Rail Jam is a hybrid winter event featuring 50 craft brewers alongside a 40-foot snowboard ramp and rail-jam competition held in the heart of Longmont. 303-772-0258, lefthandbrewing.com/event/high-five-events is an awe-filled, jaw-dropping chance to tinker, hack, build, fly, drive, drink, dabble and play incorporating science, technology, entrepreneurship, arts and making. 303-776-9011, makerboulder.com/steam Rhythm on the River is Longmont’s largest outdoor festival, featuring two days of music, fun and environ-mental awareness. Free admission and free parking! 303-651-8404, longmontcolorado.gov/departments/ departments-n-z/recreation-services/rhythm-on-the-river in the state of Colorado features a carnival, rodeos, 4-H and FFA demonstrations, live music, kids’ activities and much more. Admission and parking are free! 720-864-6460, bouldercountyfair.org fest bringing together rare, out-of-state nitrogenated styles from over 50 craft breweries. Enjoy an upscale evening of unlimited tasting and live performance art. 303-772-0258, lefthandbrewing.com/events PALISADE COLORADO LAVENDER FESTIVAL JULY 7–9 Three days of lavender fun. Visit lavender farms from Palisade to Paonia. Free festival in the park on Saturday only. A perfect girlfriend getaway, reserve your tour today. coloradolavender.org/lavender-festival.html Peach Festival is the long-time celebration of agriculture and the peach harvest. Palisade peaches are world known for their sweetness and juicy flavor. 970-464-7458, palisadepeachfest.com an array of Colorado wines and participate in a variety of events such as winery tours, winemaker competitions, dueling chefs, grape stomps, wine-and-food pairing, music and more. 970-464-0111, coloradowineexperience.com/colorado-wine-festivals 25-mile ride through Colorado’s wine country (on paved roads with a few hills), passing by the area’s wineries, as well as acres of vineyards and fruit orchards. 303-635-2815, tourdevineyards.com SNOWMASS RODEO JULY 5, 12, 19, 26 & EVERY WEDNESDAY JUNE 14–AUG. 23 Celebrating its 44th season, this is the longest running rodeo in Colorado. This authentic Western event includes a barbecue, bull riding, team roping, barrel racing and bronco riding. 970-922-2233, gosnowmass.com/activity/ the-snowmass-rodeo ROCKY MOUNTAIN STEAM FEST APRIL 29–30 STEAM Fest PALISADE PEACH FESTIVAL AUG. 18–19 The 49th Annual JAS ASPEN SNOWMASS LABOR DAY EXPERIENCE SEPT. 1–3 An open-air, dance-oriented extravaganza of popular, R&B, rock, funk, blues, world and soul music in Snowmass Town Park with the spectacular Elk Mountain Range as a backdrop. 970-920-4996, jazzaspensnow mass.org/labor-day-experience.html RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: RHYTHM REVERSED JULY 7–8 COLORADO MOUNTAIN WINEFEST SEPT. 14–17 Sample STEAMBOAT SPRINGS 43RD COWBOY DOWNHILL JAN. 15–16 Part ski race, part rodeo, part train wreck. More than 100 of the best pro-fessional cowboys compete in the most unique ski rodeo in the country, a tradition started 43 years ago. 970-922-2722, steamboat.com/events several days, the entire town is given over to racing, ski jumping, a parade featuring Steamboat’s skiing high-school band, skijöring and the spectacular night show. 800-922-2722, steamboatchamber.com/ signature-events/winter-carnival collide to deliver an authentic Colorado gathering cele-brating bluegrass and craft beer. Features more than 25 bands and 20 Colorado breweries. 970-879-6111, 800-922-2722, steamboat.com/winterwondergrass the winter season with a boatload of Springalicious festivities, fun events such as the Cardboard Classic, Splashdown Pond Skim and several free concerts. 970-879-6111, 800-922-2722, steamboat.com/events celebrate Greater Sandhill Cranes in Steamboat Springs and Hayden with guided crane viewings, bird walks, expert speakers, films, workshops, ranch tours, kids’ events and more. 970-276-1933, coloradocranes.org BOULDER COUNTY FAIR JULY 28–AUG. 6 The oldest fair TOUR DE VINEYARDS BICYCLE TOUR SEPT. 16 Join this 104TH STEAMBOAT WINTER CARNIVAL FEB. 8–12 For NITRO FEST NOV. 11 America’s only exclusively nitro beer PUEBLO 33RD ANNUAL NSRA ROCKY MOUNTAIN STREET ROD NATIONALS PLUS JULY 23–25 The premier street-rod event of the Rocky Mountain region; with more than 2,000 custom street rods in attendance, this event is sure to be fun for the whole family! 901-452-4030, nsra-usa. com/events for 11 days and nights of Colorado’s biggest summer party! Enjoy concerts, rodeos, carnival, livestock, agricultural exhibits, a fiesta, free attractions and fabulous fair food. 719-561-8484, 800-876-4567, coloradostatefair.com WINTERWONDERGRASS FEB. 23–26 Music and brews LOVELAND LOVELAND FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL FEB. 10–12 With a magical fireworks and light show, ice sculpting and more, the Loveland Fire & Ice Festival in the Sweetheart City is the largest Valentine’s Day festival in the nation. 800-980-4155, lovelandfireandice.com outdoor art exhibitions in the US, this two-day show at Benson Sculpture Garden brings artists and art lovers from around the globe together to inspire. 970-663-2940, sculptureinthepark.org COLORADO STATE FAIR AUG. 25–SEPT. 4 Bring the family SPRINGALICIOUS APRIL 1–16 Celebrating the close of SCULPTURE IN THE PARK AUG. 12–13 As one of the finest YAMPA VALLEY CRANE FESTIVAL AUG. 31–SEPT. 3 Come LOAF N’ JUG PRESENTS THE 23ND ANNUAL CHILE & FRIJOLES FESTIVAL SEPT. 22–24 Celebrate the harvest THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES BIKE RALLY SEPT. 1–4 Motorcycle enthusiasts and bikers from all over the country gather Labor Day weekend at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson for live music, competitions, bikes, vendors and much more. 866-646-6296, thunderintherockies.com of Pueblo mirasol chilies. Enjoy music, arts and crafts, cooking competitions and much more. Fri. 3pm– midnight, Sat. 10am–midnight and Sun. 10am–6pm. 800-233-3446, pueblochilefestivalinfo.com STERLING LOGAN COUNTY FAIR AUG. 3–13 The biggest fair in northeastern Colorado. Carnival, night show, rodeos, bull riding and demo derby. 970-522-0888, lcfair.org SALIDA 69TH ANNUAL FIBARK FESTIVAL JUNE 15–18 America’s oldest, boldest whitewater festival, with everything from a Crazy River Dog competition and Hooligan Race to a parade and slalom, rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. fibark.com receptions, music, entertainment and artist demonstra-tions in numerous participating venues around town. Don’t miss the Mini Masterpiece Auction! salidaartwalk.org MANITOU SPRINGS 2017 MANITOU SPRINGS COLORADO WINE FESTIVAL JUNE 3 Sample and purchase wine from 30 Colorado wineries; enjoy entertainment, food and gift ven-dors at the base of Pikes Peak America’s Mountain. Breathtaking views with an amazing atmosphere. 719-685-5089, manitousprings.org TELLURIDE TELLURIDE BLUES & BREWS FESTIVAL SEPT. 15–17 One of the most scenic and intimate music festivals in the country, Blues & Brews is three days of music with 56 microbreweries and 170 beers and ciders in the heart of Telluride. 970-728-8037, tellurideblues.com SALIDA ARTWALK JUNE 22–25 Celebrating 25 years of art 2017 EMMA CRAWFORD COFFIN RACES & PARADE OCT. 28 Build a coffin, dress up, then race up Manitou Avenue to compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The legend of Emma Crawford lives in downtown Manitou Springs! 719-685-5089, manitousprings.org 21ST ANNUAL COLORADO BREWERS RENDEZVOUS JULY 8 21st Annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous at WINTER PARK CUPID’S REVENGE FEB. 11 This fun-filled over-the-snow 4-mile race/walk on Valentine’s weekend is perfect for the whole family. Bring snowshoes or running shoes, costumes and enjoy prizes and more. 970-726-4221, 800-903-7275, playwinterpark.com will be alive with regional and national music acts for one of the most anticipated (free) events of the year. 970-726-4221, 800-903-7275, winterparkresort.com/ things-to-do/events/springtopia-concert Winter Park Jazz Festival will be a weekend packed with live music and entertainment from world-class artists to up and coming favorites. Must attend for jazz lovers! 970-726-4221, 800-903-7275, playwinterpark.com Tacos event will feature tequila and taco tasting as well as live music, entertainment and more. VIP and gener-al-admission tickets available. 970-726-4221, 800-903-7275, playwinterpark.com better than an afternoon of wine and food tasting accompanied by the live music and a champagne cork-off in the mountains of Colorado. VIP and GA avail-able. 970-726-4221, 800-903-7275, playwinterpark.com PAGOSA SPRINGS FOLK N’ BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL JUNE 9–11 The 12th annual festival provides three days of great music on scenic Reservoir Hill Park in downtown Pagosa Springs. Children under 12 attend the festival for free. 970-585-1200, folkwest.com 4th of July celebration with a parade, arts and crafts festival, carnival, rodeos, fireworks, live music and more! 970-585-1200, visitpagosasprings.com the backdrop of the San Juan Mountains and early signs of autumn. Featuring mass hot-air-balloon ascensions, live music, beer, wine, food and much more. 970-585-1200, visitpagosasprings.com Riverside Park in historic downtown Salida featuring more than 75 Colorado brewers, live music and great food. 719-539-2068, 877-772-5432, salidachamber.org WineFest celebrates Colorado wineries, art, merchan-dise and food with great live music to set the mood. All at Riverside Park in historic downtown Salida. 719-539-6299, vinosalida.com 6TH ANNUAL SALIDA WINEFEST SEPT. 2 6th Annual Salida SPRINGTOPIA APRIL 22 The hills of Winter Park Resort 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION JULY 1–4 Enjoy a hometown SNOWMASS MARDI GRAS IN SNOWMASS FEB. 28 Celebrate 35 years of Fat Tuesday revelry with the biggest Mardi Gras bash in the mountains to include a mid-afternoon madcap parade and fireworks on Fanny Hill. 970-922-2233, gosnowmass.com/event/mardi-gras-celebration WINTER PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL JULY 15–16 The 35th Annual COLORFEST WEEKEND SEPT. 15–17 Balloons rise against TEQUILA & TACOS AUG. 26 The 2nd Annual Tequila & SNOWMASS CRAFT BEER RENDEZVOUS JUNE 10 Come sip and savor at the ultimate hoppy kick-off to the sum-mer season to include a three-hour grand tasting event taking place on Fanny Hill featuring 40 craft breweries. gosnowmass.com WINTER PARK UNCORKED AUG. 19 It doesn’t get much 88 / COLORADO.COM
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 88
