Food, fun, fests are something to celebrate
By Mike Pearson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published May 17, 2008 at midnight
- Reel abundance
- Lots of track stars among 7 railroads
- The view's a bit better from on top of a horse
- Theater lives in hills and plains
- Take a hike!
- Wild rides ahead
- Hitting the high notes
- Freedom-wheeling
- Working up an appetite
- 18ers well worth a drive
- Go behind the scenes with area tours
- Food, fun, fests are something to celebrate
- Pop fests carry a new tune
- Room to breathe
- Art season sizzles
- Expert pitches a few remarkable campsites
- Cycling through
From rubber ducks racing down a river to drag queens racing down an avenue, Colorado offers a cornucopia of summer festivals.
They say if you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 15 minutes and it'll change. The same can be said of the festival lineup, which includes everything from celebrations of 1960s sensibilities to medieval England. Here's a look at some festivals to get you started:
Eighth Annual Denver Memorial Day Tango Festival
This tandem festival takes place in Denver and San Diego. You can get instruction and compete. No beginners, though. Even the intermediate classes assume you know the basics. The festival offers a slew of workshops and tango parties. Festival passes range from $70-$145, and many include instruction from experts visiting from as far away as Germany and Buenos Aires. May 23-26. 303-388-2560 or laeternamilonga.com.
Boulder Creek Festival
This annual kickoff to summer includes palm readings, carnival rides and the popular Great Rubber Duck Race. May 23-26. You'll also find a fishing derby, a pancake breakfast and a salute to veterans concert on May 27. 303-449-3137 or bouldercreekfestival.com.
Capitol Hill People's Fair
Colorado's premiere arts and crafts festival provides a variety of entertainment for Denver ites, ranging from the best local bands to plenty of kids' fare. It harkens back to the days of free love and the Age of Aquarius. Fortune tellers, food and more. June 7-8. 303-830-1651.
Pridefest
This annual celebration of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community is one of the city's more colorful festivals. It unfolds June 21-22 with a parade down Colfax Avenue and a celebration of food, fun and culture in Civic Center. Lots of entertainment on the dancing stage, community stage and main stage. 303-733-7743 or denverpridefest.org.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Court jesters, knights in shining armor and merry maids call Larkspur home for eight weeks every summer, turning the sleepy south-metro enclave into a 16th-century English village. The long-running event also features sword fighting, jousting and singing tavern wenches. Weekends June 14-Aug. 3. 303-688-6010 or coloradorenaissance.com.
Strawberry Days
Free strawberries aren't the only attraction of this Glenwood Springs-based event, which also spotlights art, vintage cars and a variety of musicians. June 20-22. 1-970-945-6589 or strawberrydaysfestival.com
Greeley Stampede
An old-fashioned rodeo and Western celebration, the Stampede offers country music concerts, an art show, a wine-tasting event and fireworks. June 25-July 6. Concerts include Kenny Rogers, Tim McGraw and Diamond Rio. 1-800-982-2855 or greeleystampede.org.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
The state's wildflower capital showcases its botanical beauty with a week full of workshops on the fine art of photographing, painting, identifying and healing with its colorful buds. July 7-13. 1-970-349-2571 or crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.
Burro Days
The highlight of Fairplay's tribute to mining history is a 29-mile race pairing human competitors and hardy burros. Llama races, faux gunfights and a barn dance are also part of the festivities. July 26-27. 1-719-836-1921 or burrodays.com.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Boats decorated like dragons and powered by teams of paddlers race across Sloan's Lake in this festival, which also includes Asian-themed entertainment, food and wares. This year will feature two full days of racing. July 26-27. cdbf.org or 303-722-6852.
Basalt River Days
Aspen's neighbor puts on a party full of unusual activities, including a half marathon, parade and pancake breakfast. Musical entertainment and arts and crafts are also offered. Aug. 15-16. 1-970-927-4031 or basaltriverdays.com.
Colorado State Fair and Rodeo
Tractor displays, rodeos and musical performers share the stage at the family-friendly event. This year's music lineup includes the Little River Band and Colbie Caillat. Aug. 22-Sept. 1. 1-800-876-4567 or coloradostatefair.com.
A Taste of Colorado
This food-lover fiesta in Civic Center draws 500,000 annually with a wide array of cuisine, culinary demonstrations, music acts and carnival rides for the kids. Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Hours are 4-10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday. 303-295-6330 or atasteofcolorado.com.
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May 17, 2008
10:29 a.m.
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