2018 Calendar of Events & Festivals / COME TO LIFE 2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS & FESTIVALS Coloradans celebrate heritage and holidays with great fanfare. The events below are just a few of our annual festivities. Visit Colorado.com/events for more. ASPEN WINTERSKÖL JAN. 11–14 Aspen’s annual toast to winter celebrates our unique Nordic lifestyle with an eclectic week-end of festivities. f 970-920-7146, aspenchamber.org BRUSH 64TH ANNUAL BRUSH RODEO JULY 2–4 More than 400 contestants compete in the largest Colorado rodeo in its class. 2,500 spectators, fireworks, a spectac-ular parade, art show and more occur every Fourth of July. f 970-542-3508, morgancountytourism.com GOLD RUSH DAYS AUG. 11–12 Free live music, historical reenactments, a beer garden, the third leg of Triple Crown Burro Race, duck race (win monetary prizes), toilet-seat races, 100 vendors, gem panning and more. f 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org/ buena-vista-gold-rush-days WHITTLE THE WOOD RENDEZVOUS JUNE 15–16 Whittle the Wood in Craig features head-to-head competition between a dozen experienced chain-saw carvers producing years’ worth of static art displays throughout Moffat County. f 970-826-2029, whittlethewood.com OLD FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION JULY 4 Celebrating SNOWMASS BALLOON FESTIVAL, TANDEM STILLS + MOTION/KENT HARVEY. Independence Day with small-town appeal and in true American style, including a parade, live music, picnics, a kids’ carnival and fireworks over Aspen Mountain. f 970-925-1940, aspenchamber.org/events/acra-annual-events/old-fashioned-4th-july 36TH ANNUAL BRUSH OKTOBERFEST SEPT. 21–23 Enjoy German music, polka dancing, food and, of course, beer. Celebrate Oktoberfest and the Car & Motorcycle Show. Crafts, entertainment, an authentic Volksmarch, dog show and more! f 970-542-3508, morgancountytourism.com COLORADO HISTORIC ATV/OHV COLOR TOUR SEPT. 18–22 An annual community event. Come to this off-road rally and mountain festival to visit the area’s old mining sites and ghost towns on self-guided OHV tours. f 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org/ atv-historic-color-tour MOFFAT COUNTY BALLOON FESTIVAL AUG. 4–5 Great summer event in Moffat County! Hot-air balloon event in Loudy-Simpson Park includes music, venders and festival. f 970-824-4444, mcballoonfestival.com JAS ASPEN SNOWMASS AUG. 31– SEPT. 2 The mission of JAS is to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class events, per-formances and education programs. f 970-544-9800, 866-527-8499, jazzaspensnowmass.org BUENA VISTA PADDLEFEST MAY 25–28 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. f 719-395-9206, ckspaddlefest.com CENTRAL CITY GILPIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY – SUMMER SEASON MAY 26–SEPT. 30 Explore Gilpin County’s History Museum, go back to 1895 at the Thomas House, tour the Teller and Opera Houses and visit the Coeur d’Alene Mine Shaft House. f 303-582-5283, gilpinhistory.org CRESTED BUTTE CRESTED BUTTE MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 4– AUG. 4 Outstanding performances, diverse musical genres with accompa-nying educational programs each sum-mer that enrich, educate and inspire with artforms that celebrate the human spirit. f 970-349-0619, crestedbuttemusicfestival.org 12 DAYS OF ASPEN DEC. 20–31 Downtown Aspen comes alive with a variety of free holiday activities, spe-cial treats and, of course, a visit from Santa! Join the Aspen community to celebrate the joys of the season. f 970-925-1940, aspenchamber.org/events/ acra-annual-events/12-days-aspen COLLEGIATE PEAKS STAMPEDE RODEO JUNE 8–10 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 1:30pm. f 719-395-6612, buenavistacolorado.org CRAIG GRAND OLD WEST DAYS MAY 25–28 A Memorial Day weekend full of fun for the whole family with the Ranch Bronc Riding, carnival, concert, parade, barn dance, live music, Ranch Rodeo, draft-horse show and more. f 970-326-6368, grandoldewestdays.com DENVER NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW & RODEO JAN. 6–21 A nationally recog-nized Western-heritage event with one of the world’s richest regular-season pro rodeos, one of the country’s largest horse shows and a Western tradeshow. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com COLORADO.COM / 19
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 19
