35th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, Jul 27. Sixty artists will exhibit and sell their creations during this juried event at Legion Park. Hours: 9am-4pm.
970-641-2638

Gunsmoke-n-Gunnison, Jun 20-22,
Jul 25-27 and Aug 29-31. Cowboy mounted shooting is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports today, requiring a special form of teamwork between horse and rider and blending disciplines such as reining, barrel racing and horsemanship. There is no cost to watch the competitions, which begin at 6pm on Friday evenings and at 10am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Location: Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center.
970-641-4787
www.cowboymountedshooting.com

36th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, Aug 2-3. The festival features 175 artists, selected through a very competitive jury process, who will exhibit their one-of-a-kind works in ceramics, drawing and graphics, fiber, glass, jewelry and much more. Demonstrations, music and food are available.
970-349-1184 • www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com

Crested Butte Wild Mushroom Festival, Aug 14-17. The festival emphasizes hands-on activities such as forays and identification hikes, nicely seasoned with lectures, slide shows, a jazz concert and workshops. Fine wines complement many prepared dishes.
970-596-4841
www.cbmushfest.com

21st Annual Gunnison Car Show,
Aug 22-24. What better place to talk cool cars than leaning under the hood of a ’62 Studebaker GT Hawk against the cool mountain backdrop of beautiful Gunnison in Jorgensen Park. An arts, antiques and collectibles marketplace, the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival takes place on Aug 23 across the street. Admission is free.
970-641-1501
www.gunnisoncarclub.com
www.gunnisonchamber.com

Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Sep 6. Get into the spirit of autumn with the Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-off held at the base of the ski area. On
Sept. 6, from noon to 4pm, heat up by sampling great chili, and then cool off with beers poured by Colorado microbreweries. Admission: $10-$20.
970-349-6438

CRAIG – Events:
National Championship O-Mok-See 2008, Jul 19-Jul 26. Location: Moffat County Fairgrounds.
620-375-2510
www.omoksee.com

Craig’s Centennial Celebrations:
Airshow, Jul 19. Location: Craig/Moffat County Airport.
970-824-8151
www.craig-chamber.com

Centennial Golf Tournament, Jul 20. Location: YV Golf Course.
970-824-3673

100 Year Closing Ceremonies, Jul 29. New time capsules will be buried at city hall during the closing ceremonies. www.craig-chamber.com

Moffat County Mud Madness, Sep 13. Vehicle mud races take place at Loudy Simpson Park.
970-824-7790

Disc Dog Competition, Sep 27. 1st Annual Disc Dog Competition.
970-824-9518

10th Annual Sheep Wagon Days,
Oct 2-5. Enjoy sheep shearing demonstrations, working dog demos, touring real sheep wagons, and great food and crafts vendors, all at Moffat County Fairgrounds.
www.villardranch.com

DEL NORTE – Events:
The town of Del Norte is surrounded by year round activities: fishing Gold Medal waters in the Rio Grande River or on numerous reservoirs in the area, rafting, world class rock climbing at Penitente Canyon, hiking trails found all over, mountain biking, ATVing, orienteering, geo-caching, beautiful drives along scenic byways and more, including:

Rally on the Rio Grande, Jul 11-13. This motorcycle rally takes place at the river park and includes live music, vendor booths, bike show, campout and a fireworks display over the river.

Covered Wagon Days, Aug 1-3. This Old West themed event includes a parade, pancake breakfast, fireman’s barbecue and gunfight re-enactment. Enjoy a dinner and dance, car show, 5K run, horseshoe tournament, old-fashioned picnic games, outdoor church and more. All events are family-friendly with free or low cost things to do.

Festival of Imagination, Sep 18-20. A fine and performing arts festival with story telling, cowboy poetry, theatre events and workshops. The Rio Grande County Museum offers a look into the past and demonstrations and ongoing special programming. An Observatory offers Star Parties all summer.

Del Norte is located on the Rio Grande River in Southern Colorado (about 225 miles southwest of Denver.) Del Norte can be easily reached from the east and west by traveling on US Highway 160, and from the north and south by US Highway 285 and State Highway 112. For more information on Del Norte events or to see the full calendar:
719-657-2845
www.delnortechamber.org

FRUITA – Events:
Variety Show, Thursdays Jun 5-Aug 14. Live entertainment at the Civic Center Pavilion; bring chairs and a picnic! Great fun for the family.
970-858-0360

Dinosaur Day, Jul 26. A fun family event at Dinosaur Journey Museum includes a 5K, golf tournament, and “build your own dinosaur raft” races on the Colorado River. Fred and Barney would be proud, and who knows? They just might be in the crowd.
970-858-7282

Fruita Fall Festival, Sep 25-28. Originally a harvest festival beginning in 1910, this award winning festival now features bluegrass, country, blues and rock live music, more than 150 vendors, a parade, carnival rides as well as arts and crafts. Location: Circle Park.
970-858-3894
www.fruita.org

FORT COLLINS – Events:
Larimer County Fair and Rodeo,
Aug 1-6. Location: The Ranch. Hours: 8:30am-10pm.
970-619-4009

Irish Festival, Aug 1-3. Location: Civic Center Park. Hours 11am-10pm.
877-328-2783

New West Fest, Aug 16-17. Location: Downtown Fort Collins. Hours: 10am-6pm.
970-484-6500
Fort Collins Cycling Festival,
Aug 23-24.
970-689-3131

A Tribute to John Denver,
Aug 31. Location: Ft. Collins Senior Center. Hours: 5pm-9pm.

Colorado Homestead Art Show, Sep 19-21. Location: First National Bank East Exhibition Hall at the Ranch. Hours: 10am-7pm.
970-221-0997
For more information on Fort Collins events call
970-232-3846
www.ftcollins.com

OURAY – Area Events:
Wildflower Photography Workshop,
Jul 24-26. Capture breathtaking wildflowers in the spectacular San Juan Mountains. Location: on site, Beaumont Hotel and Ouray School.
970-325-4005
www.weehawkenarts.org

Shakespeare in the Park, Jul 27. This “no hold Bard” production of “Twelfth Night ” is performed at Ouray Fellin Park at 1pm.
www.ocpag.org

Artists Alpine Holiday, Aug 1-9. The 48th annual national juried art show takes place at Ouray Community Center, 9am-7pm.
www.ourayarts.org

San Juan Chamber Music Festival,
Aug 16. 7:30pm at Ouray School.
www.ocpag.org

Fall Landscape Photography,
Sep 26-28. Photograph fall colors in the San Juan Mountains with nationally known photographer, Kathleen Cook. Location: on site, Beaumont Hotel and Ouray School.
970-325-4005
www.weehawkenarts.org

1st Annual La Sportiva Ouray Mountain Trail Run, Oct 4. The run circumnavigates a 13.9-mile loop around Ouray on USFS trail. Oktoberfest and 44th Annual Jeep Raffle, Oct 4. Location: Ouray Community Center. Event begins at 6pm.
For information on Ouray area events: 970-325-4746

SOUTH FORK – Events:
Logger Days Festival, Jul 18-20. Event includes arts and crafts fair, live music, and daily logging competitions. Who can cut and saw the fastest or hit the bulls-eye with an axe? Come and see! This is a great family oriented event that is free to the general public and offers lots of great food.
South Fork Colorado Rhythms’ on the Rio Music Festival, Aug 30. This event has a little bit of everything from blues and jazz to country, bluegrass and big band music.
Fly Fishing Festival, Sep 19-20. Learn or perfect your skills with classes for entomology, casting, fly tying and more.
Information on South Fork events:
800-571-0881

BUENA VISTA – Events:
Trailfest, Jul 19-20. This all day event with vendors, kids activities, food and entertainment is sponsored by the Continental Divide Trail Alliance. Experience a day of world-class adventure and fun on the Continental Divide Trail–a celebration of and benefit for the completion and protection of the,
100-mile Continental Divide Trail.
www.cdtrail.org

Contin-Tail Rock and Gem Show,
Aug 7-10. Over 100 booths including merchants from across the country gather at Rodeo Grounds to sell, swap and show rocks, minerals and gems, sculptured artwork and fine jewelry.
303-833-2939

Gold Rush Days, Aug 9-10. Step back in time to the Colorado Gold Rush and try gold panning, watch gunfights, take a square dance lesson or listen to music. Watch the costume parade, or rent one and be in it! Sunday, the third leg of the Triple Crown Burro Race has athletes running beside a burro equipped with mining tools. You too may try running with a burro in the citizen’s race. Buy a Duck Race ticket and win $1,000 prize money! Over 100 vendors, food, a beer garden, children’s rides, craft booths and more.
719-395-6612

Collegiate Peaks Music Festival, Aug 15-17. Two stages with various performers, a street dance (Sat night), vendors and activities for all ages are part of the fun. Food and beverage available. Location: East Main Street.
www.collegiatepeaksmusicfestival.com

Buena Vista Canine Classic, Aug 23. Frisbee Dog and Dog Agility competitions, along with a Saturday evening barbecue, live music and dog demos. Competitions take place on Sunday morning. Location: Riverside Park in Salida.
www.BVCanineChallenge.com

Apple Fest, Sep 13. This old time country fair at the historic Turner Farm includes an apple pie contest, entertainment, tractor rides, apple press demonstration, apple picking, butter making, old time demonstrations, pony rides, storytelling, gift shop and more.
www.buenavistaheritage.org

COLORADO SPRINGS –Events:
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb,
Jul 20. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the world's highest auto race and one of the most grueling events in all of motor racing. The start line at 9,400 feet is high enough to leave anyone short of breath. And the climb to the towering 14,110-foot finish punishes drivers and their vehicles. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength - plus it robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. 
So competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish, let alone win. Location: Pikes Peak Hwy. 719-685-4400 ext 13
www.ppihc.com

Colorado Balloon Classic, Aug 30-Sep 1. The Colorado Balloon Classic was organized in 1977 and has grown to be the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as the state of Colorado. The annual, family event is held in Memorial Park off Pikes Peak Avenue between Hancock Ave and Union Blvd near the shores of Prospect Lake. Mass ascensions with over 100 balloons are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with a Balloon Glo® scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evenings. Each year a variety of concessions are available and entertainment is provided during each event. Event is free.
719-471-4833
www.balloonclassic.com

ALAMOSA – Events:
San Luis Valley Farmer’s Market, Every Saturday mid-July through Mid-October. See why the valley is known for its outstanding organic farm produce. Location: downtown Alamosa.

Sundays at Six, every Sunday. Live music along the banks of the Rio Grande every Sunday evening, 6pm.
www.almaonline.org

Rails & Ales Brewfest, Jul 12. At this first annual Brewfest, ride the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad to the top of the pass where you’ll sample over 50 brews, live music and barbecue.
877-726-7245
www.riograndescenicrailroad.com

Early Iron Festival, Aug 30-31. One of Colorado’s largest vintage car shows, complete with music and food along the banks of the Rio Grande.
www.earlyironclub.com

Alamosa Fly-in and Air Show, Jul 12. Join pilots from all over the U.S. in the modern and vintage aircraft.
Airshow begins at 9:30 am.
719-852-9860

Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo, Jul 24-27. Colorado’s oldest pro rodeo, parades, chuck wagon dinners, dances, concerts, carnival and great rodeo.
www.skihistampede.com

High Altitude Summer Concert Series, Aug 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16. Ride the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad to the top of the pass for world-class live concerts, co-sponsored by music legend Michael Martin Murphy.
877-726-7245
www.riograndescenicrailroad.com

MONTE VISTA – Events:
Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo and Concert, Jul 24-27. Concert is held on Jul 24 and rodeo on Jul 25-27.
www.skihistampede.com

Old Spanish Trail Music Festival and Mexican Rodeo, Aug 22-24. Events include a VIP dinner on Aug 22, music festival on Aug 23, a Spanish Trail ride and Mexican rodeo and dance.
719-580-4881
www.montearts.com/

TRINIDAD – Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre summer performances, Jun 13-Aug 16. The company offers three plays: Lend Me A Tenor (a comedy about opera stars who vie for the lead), Spitfire Grill (a feisty parolee starts over in a small Colorado town at the Spitfire Grill) and Lucky Stiff (a funny murder mystery farce.) Location: Trinidad State Junior College, corner of State Street and Broom Street.
719-846-4765

Trinidaddio Blues Festival, Aug 23. Location: Central Park. Gates open at 11:30am. Music begins at noon sharp. Admission: $20-$40. No pets, coolers, food, drink or umbrellas allowed.
866-480-4750 • 719-846-9285
www.trinidaddio.com