Colorado Events, Festivals and Happenings

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

I’m adding a new feature on Where To Go – Travel USA. Throughout the summer I plan to post a few special events, festivals or happenings around the state of Colorado for the upcoming weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off with events all around the state – art, sports, outdoor recreation, history and beer gain attention this weekend. Get out and have some fun.

• Blues, Brews and BBQ – Beaver Creek, May 23 & 24. Blues concerts, platters of barbecue, culinary demonstrations and Colorado microbrewery beer tasting, noon to 5pm daily.
• BolderBOULDER – Boulder, May 25. Thousands race 10k through the streets of Boulder finishing in Folsom Field Stadium, first wave of runners 7am.
• Paddlefest 2009 and BV Pro Rodeo – Buena Vista, May 22-24. Whitewater boating season kicks off with educational activities, demonstrations, and pro kayaker competitions, everything from yoga for paddlers to movie premieres.
• Territorial Days – Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs), May 23-25. Street festival with 200 craft, commercial and food booths in the first territorial capital of Colorado. 2009 marks the sesquicentennial (150  years) of Old Colorado City.
• Grand Olde West Days – Craig, May 23-25. Antique tractor pulls to cowboy disco dance at locations throughout Moffat County.
• Taste of Creede – Creede, May 23&24. Arts festival and fine arts auction, which includes Silver Chef cooking competition.
• Downtown Denver Arts Festival – Denver, May 22-25. Over 125 of Colorado’s best artists exhibit fine art and fine craft at Denver Pavilions.
• Old South Gaylord Memorial Day Weekend Festival – Denver, May 23-25. “World Class Music”, kids area with rides, activities and magic shows, food and craft booths at the 30th annual event, 9am-6pm daily.
• Iron Horse Bicycle Classic – Durango, May 23-25. Have bike, will peddle – criteriums, circuit races, road races, tours, BMX races trials dual slaloms, team trail ride, mountain bike races, kids races.
• Art Market – Estes Park, May 23-25. Colorado and national artists fill 90 booths in this annual juried showcase,  plus food and music.
• Clear Creek Railroad and Mining Days – Georgetown, May 23&24. Narrow gauge and model trains, mine tours, burro races, rafting, storytelling and fiddle races.
• JUCO – Grand Junction, May 23-30. Baseball galore with regional champions from around the country competing  at the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series
• Indian Arts and Culture Festival – Mesa Verde Country®, May 22-31. Native American juried art markets, cultural programs, traditional dances, drama, tours and music. Held in multiple sites – Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Towaoc and Mesa Verde National Park.
• Yampa River Festival – Steamboat Springs, May 22-25. River events from raft races, tube and freestyle rodeos  to pro races, fun for spectators and participants.
• Mountainfilm Festival – Telluride, May 22-25. Dozens of films screened, symposium, gallery walk, ice cream social and more. Food is the 2009 theme.

Colorado