Holiday Weekend in Colorado

July 1 – 4, 2011

From the Denver Metro area to small rural communities the holiday weekend will be celebrated with a multitude of events, picnics, concerts and, of course, fireworks. Listed below are a few of the communities with multiple-day events this weekend.

Castle Rock – Rocky Mountain Freedom Festival

July 1 – 3 – Douglas County Fairgrounds and Events Center

Three days of BBQ Challenge – a Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned state championship event, two stages of entertainment, and carnival. The Freedom Festival concludes with Sunday night Fireworks. FREE admission for children under 5, seniors 60+ and valid military ID. FREE parking.

Copper Mountain – The 3 Ring Weekend

July 1 – 3 – Copper Mountain Resort

Three days of FREE family events including a kid-powered parade, interactive activities, live music, conscious carnival, half marathon, 10k, kids race and the highlighted Big Wheel Rally! – both kids racing and adult relay.

Crested Butte – Crested Butte Music Festival

July 3 – August 14 – Numerous locations in and around “The Butte”

The kickoff for six weeks of music in a large variety of genres – bluegrass, opera, classical, gypsy jazz, folk, chamber. A yearly tradition brings an unique instrument to the CBMF. Pass years have included the alp horn and glass armonica, the 2011 spotlight is on the theremin – check the web site to learn more. Locations range from Beer, Brats and Beethoven in the Lacy’s barn to Town Center Mt. Crested Butte. A FREE 4th of July Patriotic Performance with the Boston Brass at the Center for the Arts outdoor stage is scheduled for 4pm.

Denver – Cherry Creek Arts Festival

July 2 – 4 – Cherry Creek North Shopping District

The hugely popular art festival fills the streets of Cherry Creek North with visual, culinary and performing arts. FREE Interactive ARTivities, musical performances, demonstrations; plus the Art of Fitness. The highly competitive juror show features 230 International visual artists.

Frisco – 3rd Annual Green Art Festival

July 2 –3 – Main Street

Juried artists bring original paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, collage, ceramics, glass and wood art transforming Main Street into an outdoor gallery. The “Green” part of the festival allows each artist to showcase one piece of art created in an environmentally sound process – incorporating either recycle or repurposed objects into the work. FREE.

Steamboat Springs – 108th Annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days

June 30 – July 4 – All around town and Gondola Square

The century long Colorado tradition puts a Western spin on the July 4th weekend with fun for the whole family. Pro rodeos, Art on the Mountains, concerts, ski jumping extravaganza, block party, parade and fireworks over Howelsen HIll are among the scheduled events. July 4th old-fashioned Pioneer Block Party with FREE concert and hot dogs.

Steamboat Springs – String Music Festival

July 1 – August 27 – Varied venues around the community

The nationally acclaimed festival opens with the Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. During July and August 85 events from classical to a variety of Different Tempo programs. Enjoy FREE Music on the Green at the Yampa River Botanic Park, Thursdays 12:15 – 1pm.

Click on each event name to open website.

Check back each week during the summer for a potpourri of Colorado events and festivals for the upcoming weekend.