Colorado Weekend–June 24–26, 2011

Colorado Weekend – So Much To Do

June 24-26, 2011

The first weekend of summer promises something for all tastes and interests with more than 30 major events. Join the festivities with options from art to zydeco, Shakespeare to swing, bikes to boats, beer to wine.

***Canon City – Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival

June 24 & 25 – Whitewater Kayak Recreation Park, Centennial Park

Down River Kayak and Raft Races run through the Royal Gorge. Kayak Throwdown and Raft Rodeo held at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Park in Canon City. ByOB – Build Your Own Boat Race, Duckie Dash, Raft King of the Wave and Pedal-Paddle-Battle. Live music in Centennial park Park, food and drink vendors.

***Crested Butte – Crested Butte Bike Week

June 23 & 26 – Crested Butte and Region

This June biking festival has a new name in 2011 but continues the tradition of challenge and celebration in the epicenter of Colorado mountain biking. Events include Chainless Race down Kebler Pass, Rippin’ Chix Clinics with Alison Gannett, Tech Expo, Bridges of the Butte, Clif Bar Fat Tire 40, and Mountain States Cub Wildflower Rush. Saturday evening music by reggae legion Toot and Maytals on the Red Lady Stage at Mt. Crested Butte.

***Cripple Creek – Donkey Derby Days

June 24 – 26 – Downtown

The biggest, most popular Cripple Creek annual event celebrates its 80th year honoring the town’s resident donkey herd – FREE. Pancake breakfast, Saturday noon parade, entertainment, contests including best beard,tobacco spitting and hairy leg. Children activities, donkey rides; and, yes donkey derby races.

***Denver – Cherry Blossom Festival

June 25 & 26 – Between 19th & 20th, Lawrence & Larimer

Japanese-American culture highlighted with music, dance, art, drumming, martial arts, Japanese beer garden; and, of course food. Tour the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and attend Ikebana demonstrations. FREE admission.

***Estes Park – Solstice Celebration

June 25 & 26 – Bond Park

Scandinavian traditions honor the summer solstice with raising the Maypole, folk dancing, musical performances, crafts, food and a Viking encampment. Raffle to win two round-trip tickets to Scandinavia, donated by Icelandair. Free admission.

***Fort Collins – 22nd Colorado Brewers’ Festival

June 25 & 26 – Historic Downtown

Festival highlights 32 Colorado Breweries and 58 Colorado beers. Food, fun and three stages featuring 20 Colorado bands. New format this year – advance tickets $10, $15 at the gate plus $1/each for beer sample tokens (4 oz. samples), commemorative festival mug.

***Fort Morgan – Glenn Miller Swing Fest

June 23 – 26 – City Park, Fort Morgan Airport, Country Steak Out

Fort Morgan celebrates one of its favorite sons Glenn Miller and the Big Band Era during a weekend of concerts in the park, history tours, WWII military re-enactors, champagne brunch, dances and music, music, music. Saturday night dance to the the music of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers.

***Golden – German Heritage Festival

June 25 & 26 – Colorado Railroad Museum

The weekend combines the best of two worlds – German heritage and historic railroading. While passengers experience a ride on a narrow gauge train pulled by an 1880s steam locomotive the German village entices with traditional food, music, and dance.

***Grand Junction – Country Jam USA

June 23-26 – I-70, Exit 11, 22 miles west of GJ

Music, music, music – Country Jam comes to the Western Slope for an incredible weekend of country music, camping, food and adult beverages under bright Colorado skies. This year’s lineup includes Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Western Underground, Clint Black and Lady Antebellum plus more than a dozen others.

***Greeley – Greeley Stampede

June 24 – July 4

With roots dating back to the late 1800s Greeley winds up for 11 days of rodeos, concerts, carnivals, mutton bustin’ in the park, Western art, monster trucks, demolition and roller derbies, parades, royalty, fireworks and so much more it’s impossible to do it all. But its easy to enjoy events of your choosing.

***Gunnison – Gunnison River Festival

June 24 – 26 – Whitewater Park – Fri. & Sat.,

Taylor Canyon & Almont – Sun.

Water, water everywhere for the 9th annual family-friendly River Festival. Saturday starts with the River Parade followed by raft rodeo, freestyle kayaking and big tricks. New this year is a surf wave. The 2011 Hooligan event is canceled due to high water. Action moves to Almont on Sunday with races on the Taylor River. In addition to water events there’s plenty of food, beverages, music, art and “Fun Zone” for kids.

***Hugo – Colorado Championship Ranch Rodeo

June 24 & 25 – Lincoln County Fairgrounds

Competitors are teams of working cowboys, ranch owners and ranch hands. Events center on skills traditionally required for Western ranching – bronc riding, team branding, team sorting, trailer loading, wild cow milking, and team doctoring. Plus an open horse show, Western trade show and outdoor dance.

***Vail – Bravo! – Vail Valley Music Festival

June 26 – August 3 – Venues throughout the Vail Valley

The 24th season kicks off with a FREE concert by Bravo’s new Artistic Director, world renowned pianist Anne-Marie McDermott on Sunday evening at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. See the Dallas Symphony , Philadelphia Orchestra, New York philharmonic plus world-class soloists and groups.

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