Monthly Archives: July 2011

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum & Store

Highlighting ”The Daddy of ‘em All

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The world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration captures Cheyenne’s essence each July. For 10 days there’s nothing quite like “The Daddy of ‘em All”. Year round, Cheyenne’s visitors can capture that Western tradition and spirit with a stop at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum & Store.

Permanent and changing exhibits demonstrate the multiple facets of the world famous event, saddle bronc riding to championship belt buckles, grand parades to rodeo queens. A current exhibit, “Bullfighters: The Risky Road to Glory!”, features not only the daring and determined bull riders but also the important role of rodeo clowns and legendary careers of Mr. T and Crooked Nose – bulls rarely successfully ridden.

B&N in Carriage - BThe museum houses a historic collection of horse-drawn carriages and wagons, many that make appearances in the Frontier Days parades. Visitors can climb aboard one designated carriage for a photo op complete with a “becoming” hat. “Hole in the Wall” is an interactive gallery giving kids an opportunity to practice roping and Western themed activities.

Shoppers find a plethora of Cheyenne Frontier Days branded merchandise in the Old West Museum store. Need a souvenir belt buckle, t-shirt or etched martini glass? You’ll find it here.

When You Go: The museum located at Frontier Park is open year round except major holidays, 9am-5pm weekdays, 10am-5pm weekends. Admission is $7/adult with children 12 and under free.

Red Wagon - B

Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley

Trolley Ride Through Cheyenne History

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On our first afternoon in Cheyenne we hop aboard the bright red and green Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley, an easy and relaxing intro to the city’s history and attractions. As our driver/guide Ron spins stories of a colorful past I make a list of locations I want to revisit, either to explore or take photographs.

As we pass the century-old Plains Hotel Ron explains the reasoning behind the smaller-than-average elevator. In the early 1900s when cowboys came to town to let off a little steam they would frequently ride their horses into bars and hotels. The Plains Hotel owner wanted an elevator that would hold only four men at a time – too small for a horse, effectively keeping horses out of the guest rooms. Later when we stopped by the Plains Hotel we watched four adults squeeze into the elevator that still keeps horses at bay.

The 90-minute trolley tours run daily from early May through September. For those wanting a car-free day passengers can stop at several attractions and join the next tour in 90 minutes. Weekday stops include The Nelson Museum of the West, the Wyoming State Capitol and Museum, the Frontier Days Old West Museum and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, and the Historic Governor’s Mansion. Check the website for tour times and weekend tour details.

Tours cost $10/adult and $5/children 2-12. The Trolley Plus pass valid for two days includes admission to the Old West Museum, Nelson Museum and the Depot Museum, plus the trolley tour all for $15/adult.

Halloween Ghost Tours and Christmas Light Tours offered yearly.

4th of July 2011

Colorado Celebrates July 4th

2011

Fireworks

Wherever one finds themselves in Colorado on the 4th of July there’s a nearby celebration eager to welcome residents and travelers. Below is a list of 35 communities with planned events, by no means is this a complete list, there are many more. Be aware that  fireworks may be cancelled in areas where the fire danger is extreme.

AspenOld Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.

Boulder Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast – Community performances, sing-a-long, Ralphie (CU bison mascot) Run, color guard, fireworks at CU’s Folsom Stadium

Breckenridge 4th of July Celebration, 10k trail run, hometown parade on Main Street, concerts at Riverwalk Center.

Colorado SpringsFlyovers, games, food, music by the Air Force Academy Band and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, fireworks at the Air Force Academy football stadium.

Crested ButtePancake breakfast, fun and funky parade followed by a big water fight complete with fire truck, old-fashioned games, free patriotic concert, evening concert before the fireworks at the Crested Butte Mountain base area.

Cripple Creek – Live entertainment, beer garden and fireworks.

Dillon4th of July celebration at Town Park.

Durango – Breakfast and 5k at Rotary Park, 6pm parade, street dance on Main Avenue and fireworks.

Estes Park – Car show, cowboy sing-along, pancake breakfast, band concert and fireworks over Lake Estes.

Fort Collins – Daytime downtown live music, beer garden, pie eating contest, fireworks in City Park.

Georgetown Parade, 5k race, BBQ, bucket brigade race. Watch the fireworks from the Fireworks Train high up on the Devil’s Gate bridge.

Glenwood Springs4th of July Fanfare.Flag

Grand JunctionParade, 4th of July on the Monument (Colorado National Monument), fireworks.

Grand Lake Lakefront fireworks at dusk.

Highlands Ranch – Parade, run and celebration at Town Center, hot dog eating contest, fireman challenge, pet adoption fair, evening concert, fireworks.

Idaho Springs – Fireworks display over Bridal Veil Falls and Tayler Water Wheel.

Julesburg – Volunteer Fire Department fireworks display.

Keystone – Fishing derby, BBQ, live music, bike parade through the village, Kidtopia KidsFest, fireworks.

Lafayette Late afternoon and evening events a Wanaka Lake Park, food concessions, beer garden, kids’ activities, concert, pie-eating contest, fireworks.

Lake CityOld Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, family entertainment, parade, Air Force fly over, races in the town park, street dance music, fireworks.

La JuntaOld Time Fourth of July Celebration at Bent’s Fort, fireworks at La Junta Rodeo Grounds.

Louisville Fireworks at the Coal Creek Golf Course, early evening kid activities, music by the Boulder Concert Band.

Loveland – Day long in North Lake Park, food, games, music, flag raising, fife & drum corps, largest fireworks in Northern Colorado.

Mancos – Potluck BBQ at the Bauer House, Fireworks at Boyle Park.

Montrose – All day event Cerise Park, fireworks.

Northglenn – Food booths, concert and fireworks at E.B. Rains, Jr. Memorial Park.

Ouray – Morning to night events starting with pancake breakfast, 10k run, parade, BBQ, water fight, kids games, music, fireworks.

Pagosa Springs Carnival, arts & crafts festival, parade, community picnic, live music, Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo and fireworks.

PuebloRollin’ on the Riverfront July 4 with the Pueblo Symphony.

Redstone – Bike decorating party, pie sale, food concessions, Air National Guard fly over salute, parade, water games.

Silver Plume – Ice cream social and baked goods in Dinger Park after the Georgetown BBQ.Fireworks 2

Steamboat SpringsPancake breakfast, parade, Art on the Mountain, block party with hot dogs and Routt (Routt County) beer floats, pro rodeo, fireworks over Howelsen Hill – also, cross country/Nordic combined roller ski race and Independence Day ski jumping extravaganza.

Telluride Firemen’s Fourth of July Parade, community picnic, games, fireworks.

VailAmerica Days Parade, picnic, patriotic concert, fireworks

Westcliffe – Parade, flea market, car and motorcycle show – fireworks have been canceled due to fire danger.

 

Happy and Safe July 4th to all.

Cheyenne Visitor Information Center

Visit Cheyenne Info Center

Depot from the West - BWe made the info center in the restored Cheyenne Depot a first stop on our discovery trip to Wyoming’s capital city. Well stocked with printed info for all tourism interests, the selection covers all of the state not just Cheyenne. Staff gladly answers questions, offers suggestions and gives directions.

Purchase tickets for the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley tours. Or, pick up the free booklet for the Historic Downtown Cheyenne Walking Tour which covers 55 buildings along a 23-block stroll through the core of the city.

The information desk is open 8am-5pm Monday – Friday, open weekends with varying seasonal hours.

Colorado Weekend – July 1–4, 2011

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”

Alphorn - BThe 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. Strings in the Mountains SculptureJuly 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.