Festival Revival

MANCOS BURROFEST

Art & Activity Festival June 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.mancoscreative district.com Burros play an important role in Colorado’s history and settlement. Hosted by Mancos Creative District, this exciting community event features an incredible lineup of activities that celebrate the burro. The event kicks off with an obstacle course competition, and includes special exhibits and demonstrations. Grab-and-go food and beverages available from local restaurants.

TELLURIDE YOGA FESTIVAL

Activity Festival June 23-26 www.tellurideyogafestival.com A special gathering focused on health and wellness through yoga, hikes, music and meditation. This festival includes over 40 presenters with nearly 100 activities, classes, discussions, social gatherings and workshops. The annual gathering includes many free events for the public, but attendees will need to purchase a festival pass for full access to all activities.

RIDGWAY RIVERFEST

Activity Festival June 25, noon-5 p.m. www.ridgwayriverfest.org Organized by the local nonprofit Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, Ridgway Riverfest is a family-friendly celebration of river recreation. The event includes educational programs about the rivers and watershed, as well as children’s activities, river races for all ages, live music and local food and beverage vendors. Spectators won’t want to miss the infamous Junk of the Unc competition, where brave residents construct a watercraft from recycled and repurposed materials and try to race down the river.

CORTEZ CELTIC FAIR

Heritage Festival June 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.cortezcelticfair.com Dance along to traditional bagpipes during the Cortez Celtic Festival at Parque de Vida, 400 N. Mildred Road. The history and heritage event is one of the fastest growing festivals in the region. Enjoy the free, familyfriendly festival complete with Highland Games, live music and dance demonstrations as well as children’s activities, educational demonstrations, friendly contests and fun tournaments.

MAC & CHEESE FEST

Food Festival June 25, 1-5 p.m. www.themacandcheesefest.com Uncover a million ways to make macaroni and cheese more fancy or fun at Farmington’s annual Mac & Cheese Fest. The event benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Farmington returns to Berg Park at 400 Scott Ave. Hosted by American General Media, this cheesy event includes a variety of local vendors serving creative menu items made with mac and cheese.

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

Classical Music Festival July 7-31 www.musicinthemountains.com Celebrate classical music with a series of concerts at a variety of venues throughout the month of July. Expect melodies performed by high-caliber musicians at each event hosted by the nonprofit, Music in the Mountains, which offers year-round educational programs for youth. Some events require tickets, while others are free to the public.

DOLORES SUMMERFEST

Family Festival July 16 Organized by the Dolores Chamber of Commerce and supported by local businesses, the Dolores Summer Fest is an event that offers something for everyone in the family. Enjoy live music, a car show and a dog carnival for your furry friends. Food and beverages will also be available, and community vendors will be on-site showcasing handcrafted goods. Tickets to this event cost $10.

MANCOS DAYS

Heritage Festival July 29-30 www.mancosdays.com Celebrate and connect with the community at the annual Mancos Days. The event features a car show, parade, library book sale and more activities, such as cornhole, softball and volleyball tournaments. The theme is Mancos Masquerade to celebrate 62 years of tradition.

PINE RIVER FESTIVAL

Family Festival July 30, noon-7:30 p.m. www.pineriverfestival.com A family-friendly festival and fundraiser complete with local artisans, live music, children’s activities and a variety of beverage and food vendors. This year’s live music lineup includes Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra, Elder Grown, Liver Down the River, High Country Hussle and Blue Moon Ramblers, plus performances by students from the Creative Music Conservatory. Proceeds benefit the BeFrank Foundation.

RENDEZVOUS HOT AIR BALLOON RALLY

Balloon Festival Aug. 6-8 www.cortezchamber.com See colorful balloons float over Cortez during the annual Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Each year, the event is held at Parque de Vida where guests can interact with hot air balloon pilots and see balloons up-close. The signature morning ascension and evening balloon glows are popular activities for families to spectate.

OURAY CANYON FESTIVAL

Activity Festival Aug. 10-14 www.ouraycaynonfestival.org Since 2009, the nonprofit Ouray Canyon Club has hosted an annual festival dedicated to canyoneers. The all-volunteer group organizes trips each day of the event, as well as gear demonstrations, presentations and workshops. Attendees can also discover new canyons and new lifelong connections.

HARDROCKERS HOLIDAY

Heritage Festival Aug. 12-14 www.facebook.com/ events/1208745049943762 Soak up the sun in Silverton during the annual Hardrockers Holiday. The community heritage event takes place at Kendall Mountain Recreation Area to showcase the incredible skills it takes to be a miner. People of all ages participate in competitions, like spike driving, hand mucking, machine drilling and double jacking. Arm wrestling contests, wheelbarrow races, horseshoe tournaments and more fun activities keep this educational tradition alive.

ESCALANTE DAYS

Family Festival Aug. 13 Commemorate the founding of this small community at this exciting festival featuring local beverage and food vendors, children’s activities and contests for all ages. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, live music and dancing, games and a parade. More highlights from this family-friendly event include arm-wrestling competitions, chain-saw carving and a weekend-long softball tournament.

RIDGWAY RENDEZVOUS ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Arts Festival Aug. 13-14 www.ridgwayrendezvous.com Weehawken Creative Arts hosts this annual arts and crafts festival to fund youth programs and scholarships. Ridgway Rendezvous gathers over 100 artists to showcase and sell artwork. Artists may host demonstrations during the two-day event as well. Enjoy live entertainment while sipping on an adult beverage, or visit one of the food and beverage vendors on-site. Bring the children, because they will love the playground, face painting station and train rides.

SAN JUAN BREWFEST

Beer-tasting Festival Aug. 26-27 www.sanjuanbrewfest.com Every August, United Way of Southwest Colorado hosts a beer-tasting festival and fundraiser at Buckley Park. The San Juan Brewfest gathers more than 50 regional beer, cider, seltzer and wine makers in downtown Durango. Guests can enjoy live music while sipping and socializing at this fundraising event benefiting regional United Way programs.