I’m sorry I was unable to put together an events list this weekend. However, almost every Colorado community celebrates the Fourth, seek out festivities wherever you spend the holiday weekend. Have a great time while staying save and sane.
Welcome web visitor – I’m on the road in the Pacific Northwest, the laptop is in for repairs in Spokane and I’m trying to get this out from a motel business center. No details this week, if something sounds interesting or you’re going to be in the a
rea click on the link for more information. Enjoy the weekend!
June 27-28. 
Father’s Day weekend seems filled with modes of transport. Cars reign supreme in Grand Junction, Holyoke, Steamboat Springs and Walsenburg. Pedal in Breckenridge, Colorado Springs and Salida. Competitions focus on outhouse races in Breckenridge and tractor pulls in Simla.
9 pm. Bike the night away on this non-competitive ride that begins and finishes at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. Routes for all ages and abilities range from 14-25 miles through downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Garden of the Gods. Proceeds benefit the Trails and Open Space Coalition. 
Western Colorado Vintage Motorcycle Club Rally – Gateway, June 20. First annual (?) at the stunning Gateway Canyon Resort and Auto Museum. 
Telluride Bluegrass Festival – Telluride, June 18-21. Hugh festival weekend in Telluride’s summer of festivals. Ten thousand fill venues all over the mountain valley. 
Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere, especially to Bob – hubby and father of our three sons.
Put on your party hats and head to downtown Golden Friday evening, June 12 to celebrate the city’s vitality and vision at the ripe old age of 150. After gold was discovery in the mountains west of the city and along the banks of Clear Creek, Golden quickly became an important supply post and was capitol of the Colorado Territory from 1861-1867. Today Golden maintains strong ties to its past and unique character.
June 12th festivities start at 5pm in Lions Park with fun for the entire family – games, history organized by the Golden Cultural Alliance plus food and merchandise booths. At 6:30 marching bands, floats and horseback riders parade down Washington Avenue. Participating businesses and organizations that make up the Golden community include the Buffalo Bill Museum, MillerCoors, Colorado Railroad Museum, American Mountaineering Center and dozens of others.
After the parade (7:15) head back to Lions Park for a concert by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and the Golden Concert Chorale. Then it’s time to for free birthday cake and ice cream.
The evening entertainment ends at dusk (9:15) with a laser light show and multimedia presentation of Golden’s history.
Golden proudly announces:
“Whereas Golden was robbed of our rightful status as the Capitol of Colorado in 1867
…by Denver
…and we’ve never gotten over it
Therefore the Governor of the State of Colorado has declared that Golden will be the Capitol again for one day, June 12th, 2009.”
Run a marathon, pet a llama or down a beer in Estes Park. Celebrate the sesquicentennial in Golden, climb a wall in Denver and feast in Fort Collins.
National Get Outdoors Day – Denver, June 13. Take the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge, introduce kids to new outdoor activities, learn to plan inexpensive family outings at Denver City Park. Free.
150th Anniversary Celebration Golden’s – Golden, June 12. Friday night is one big anniversary party in Golden, a parade steps off down Washington Avenue at 6:30, history themed games and concert by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra in Lions Park. Thousands of slices of birthday cake and ice cream served before a laser light show after dark. Free.
Palisade Bluegrass ‘n Roots Music Festival – Palisade, June 12-14. Acoustic music on the banks of the Colorado River with on-site camping, jam sessions, workshops, artisan demonstrations for adults and children. Of course there’s local wines, micro-brews and food.The first Saturday of each month during the summer the gates to Colorado’s Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion swing open to the public for a themed free family day. Because July 4th falls on Saturday the July event is scheduled for the second Saturday. Events run from 11am to 2pm.
The special events are held at the newly renovated Carriage House. Free open house tours of the mansion are offered every Saturday in June, July and August from 11am-2pm. Free guided tours on Tuesdays in June, July and August from 1-2pm.
The last weekend of May looks to be a bit quieter, a respite between Memorial Day and Summer with a capital S. Even so, Colorado paddles, peddles and belly dances, celebrates fiber and roses, and listens to bluegrass and ethnic music .
US Freestsyle Kayak Team Trials – Glenwood Springs, May 30-31. The best kayakers in the country compete at the acclaimed Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park on the Colorado River. Winners will qualify for the World Freestyle Championship in SwitzerlandI’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.
Communities throughout Colorado plan festivities and special events to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Colorado gold rush. With the slogan, “Pikes Peak or Bust!” thousands of prospectors headed to the hills of the Kansas Territory to strike it rich. Central City had a population of 60,000 by 1860. Golden, Denver and Boulder were fast becoming major supply and transportation points.
The rapid growth led to the creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861 and statehood in 1876.
One of the 2009 kick-off events was held in Denver Saturday, May 2 at the Governor’s Residence as part of the First Saturday: Free Family Day series. Gilpin County, Blackhawk, Central City, Golden, Idaho Springs, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Clear Creek County Metal Mining Association entertained and shared plans for continuing celebrations.
8-9 as the Breck150 Grand Celebration. Beginning the day will be the extraction and opening of the time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the Summit County Courthouse on July 31, 1909. Music, kid’s events, interactive activities fill the day until the grand finale fireworks display.Choose an event or follow The Colorado Gold Trail to join in the Gold Rush celebrations.
Find It!
Delve into Colorado’s history and culture at the monthly lecture series presented by the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund. When the fund was launched in July 2008 First Lady Jeannie Ritter said, “This is the 100th anniversary of the Residence and we want to protect it for the next 100 years so future generations of Coloradans also can enjoy it. This fund will build on the tremendous work of my predecessor, Frances Owens, when it comes to opening up the Residence to the public.”
Second Monday Series 2009 topics:
Admission to each event is $15 and registration is required at cindy@grpfund.org or by phone at 303-837-8615.
Where To Go - Travel USA 