Festivals

Gunnison-Crested Butte, CO (PRWEB) March 28, 2013

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley knows how to roll out the red carpet for summer and fall fun with an amazing array of one-of-a-kind festivals that reflect the lifestyle, natural beauty and Western friendliness of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Theres something for everyone, ranging from the weekend warrior and hard-core athlete to couples and families looking for a relaxing, yet action-filled getaway.

Gunnison Growler Weekend, Gunnison, May 25 27

The official kickoff of the summer season is Gunnison Growler Weekend, featuring three days of biking events and trail running races to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. The Half-Growler and Full-Growler mountain bike races on May 25 and 26 start downtown before heading out to Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area, and the Growler Gran Fondo road bike ride travels from Gunnison to Mt. Crested and back on May 26. A Townie Takeover Ride on Sunday is a mellower option for all ages on cruiser bikes. Gunnisons IOOF Park and the adjoining street will be filled with food vendors, live music and a beer garden for athletes and the public to enjoy on Saturday and Sunday, and runners will be readying for the Sage Burner 25k and 50k trail running races at Hartman Rocks on Monday. For information, go to http://www.gunnisontrails.com (Half-Growler and Full-Growler), http://www.gunnisonmentors.com (Growler Gran Fondo and Townie Takeover Tour) and http://www.sageburnertrailrun.com (Sage Burner).

33rd Annual Crested Butte Bike Week, Mt. Crested Butte & Crested Butte, June 26 30

Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the proud hosts of the worlds oldest mountain bike festival, which now also includes options for those who enjoy road biking, cruiser bikes, downhill and cross country. The arrival of the 19th annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado kicks off the festivities when 1,500 bicyclists and their support crews roll into town on June 26 and depart on June 28. The Chainless World Championships on June 28 is always a thrilling scene for riders and spectators, followed by the Wildcat 40 mountain bike race on June 29. If a one-speed cruiser is more your style, join in the fun and fund-raising for Adaptive Sports Centers annual Bridges of the Butte townie tour on June 29 30. Those who like the high-speed, adrenaline-fueled action of cross country and downhill mountain biking should check out the Big Mountain Enduro on June 29 30. For information, call (800) 545-4505 or visit the events Facebook page.

11th Annual Gunnison River Festival, Gunnison, June 19 – 23

Gunnison River Festival offers a unique blend of hardcore and lighthearted recreation. The event kicks off on June 19 with a River Film Fest at I Bar Ranch hosted by Crested Butte Film Festival. On June 21, the Gunnison River Festival Extravaganza at Legion Park is a night of live music, a beer garden and event registration. For a full slate of river activities, head to Gunnison Whitewater Park on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. A fly casting accuracy challenge, competitive down river raft race, community float, kayak competition, boater cross, inflatable rodeo, river board/stand up paddling comp, a kids zone and more are planned. On Sunday, the festival moves to nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area for flat water action starting at 8 a.m. A stand up paddle board race, kayak/canoe flat paddle race, open water swim competition and canine paddle ensure a fun day for humans and their furry friends. For more information, registration and a schedule, visit http://www.gunnisonriverfestival.com or call (970)901-6215.

17th Annual Crested Butte Music Festival, Gunnison Valley, June 30 Aug. 11    

The 2013 festival will showcase outstanding performers from all over the world and internationally acclaimed performers such as Boston Brass, American String Quartet, Takács Quartet, jazz legend Junior Mance, and opera stars Samuel Ramey and Sandra Pique Eddy. Celebrating its 17th year, CBMF also has bluegrass, opera and gypsy jazz mini-festivals that are part of the larger event. Rossinis The Barber of Seville, a free family concert series on four Saturdays, six home soirée concerts and much more are on this dynamic events six-week schedule. For more information and tickets, call (970) 349-0619 or visit http://www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com.

113th Annual Cattlemens Days, Gunnison, July 6 – 14

People who love the authenticity of the West, should plan on attending the 113th annual Cattlemens Days at Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center and various venues around Gunnison. The event features a county fair, parade, live music and dancing, a horse show, cowboy poetry, horse races, and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Family-friendly activities are spread throughout the nine days of Cattlemens Days festivities, including rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 11 13 and a Tough Enough to Wear Pink Concert and Auction on July 9, featuring Nashville singers/songwriters Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs and Dean Dillon. For more information, call the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 814-8893 and visit http://www.cattlemensdays.com for a complete schedule.

26th Annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Crested Butte, July 9 – 15

The historic mountain town of Crested Butte, which was designated the Wildflower Capital of Colorado by the state legislature in 1990, hosts this colorful festival during the peak of wildflower season. More than 200 individual events such as photography and art classes, 4 X 4 tours, hikes and flower identification walks, garden tours, cooking seminars and more focus on the magnificent sight of miles and miles of wildflower fields abloom in the area. For more information, call (970) 349-2571 or visit http://www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.

41st Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, Crested Butte, August 2 4

Crested Butte Arts Festival is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors. Open-air booths line the five-block center of Crested Buttes National Historic District, featuring 175 of the nations finest visual artists; music and entertainment; an art auction, chef and artist demonstrations; childrens activities and a beer and wine pavilion. Immerse yourself in the visual arts with seminars, workshops, and temporary art installations and get your art on at our first annual Art Under the Influence kickoff celebration! Call (970) 349-1184 or visit http://www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com.

Car, Carving & Art Weekend, Gunnison, Aug. 15 18    

This dynamic weekend for all ages includes the 26th annual Gunnison Car Show, High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, and Carvin Up Colorado. Most of the activities take place in the neighboring Jorgensen and Legion Parks, with a 50s-style cruise-in and dance on Main Street on Friday evening and a breakfast cruise to Crested Butte on Sunday morning. On Saturday, admire all the chrome during the open car show and browse the creations of 60 artisans from around the region at the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival. From Aug. 15 17, 10 wood carvers from around the country will transform tree stumps into works of art that will be on permanent display in Legion Park and other community sites. For information, call (970) 901-6215 (carving) and (800) 814-8893 (arts/crafts) and visit http://www.gunnisoncarclub.com.

Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Mt. Crested Butte, September 7

Get into the spirit of autumn with Mt. Crested Buttes annual Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off held on Sept. 7 at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort ski area. Heat up by sampling great chili prepared by area cook-off contestants, cool off with beers poured by several microbreweries and savor live m

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Surprise, Arizona (PRWEB) June 30, 2012

Juried artists travel from around the country and the state of Arizona. There will be an excess of 3,000+ pieces of fine art displayed in mediums such as oil on canvas, watercolors, acrylics and mixed media paintings. Furthermore, an extensive selection of unique jewelry, photography and pottery, as well as bronze, copper, clay, glass, metal and wood sculptures will be exhibited. Patrons will have the opportunity to meet and converse with the artists during all three days of this event.

This celebration highlights an extensive collection of fine wines both domestic and imported. Learning how to sample wines is an uncomplicated experience that will enhance the appreciation for both wines and winemakers. Starting with the basic senses (look, smell & taste) the expansive wine list allows patrons the opportunity to learn how to taste wines like the pros! Patrons can smell thousands of unique scents, but their taste perception is limited to salty, sweet, sour and bitter. It is the combination of smell with tasting that allows patrons to distinguish between the different flavors. Sampling a good collection of wines all at the same time permits patrons the opportunity to make better choices. For $ 10, patrons receive an engraved souvenir wine glass and six wine tasting tickets.

Strolling throughout the supreme gathering of artists, sampling good wines and listening to musical entertainment is what Thunderbird Artists is best recognized for – along with their fine reputation.

The invitation to return to the City of Surprise was an opportunity we couldnt pass up. After producing numerous festivals in cities such as Carefree, Fountain Hills and Scottsdale, were excited to bring another unique experience of a Thunderbird Artists festival to the West Valley – and the rapidly growing community of Surprise, said Denise Dale, Vice President of Thunderbird Artists. For more information, check out the Thunderbird Artists website ThunderbirdArtists.com.

Admission into the festival is $ 5.00 per person. In addition Thunderbird Artists is donating $ 1.00 from every admission ticket (from all festivals) to the American Healing Arts Foundation (AHAF), a 501c3 non-profit organization for veterans. AHAF is about healing through the arts, and art therapy, offering veterans free art classes. Post-traumatic stress disorder remains high for both wounded and uninjured soldiers plus the suicide and divorce rate continues to soar. Art is proven to be a great form of therapy for victims. AHAF classes are intended to reunite veterans with their fellow vets, away from hospitals and the battlefield, in a peaceful environment.

WHAT:     Surprise Fine Art & Wine Festival

WHERE:    Surprise Recreation Campus, Bullard Avenue & Paradise Lane, Surprise, AZ

WHEN:        February 1, 2 & 3, 2013,

HOURS:     10am-5pm, daily

CONTACT:    Thunderbird Artists at 480-837-5637

Gunnison-Crested Butte, CO (PRWEB) May 02, 2012

Gunnison County knows how to roll out the carpet for summer and fall fun with an amazing array of one-of-a-kind festivals that reflect the lifestyle, natural beauty and Western friendliness of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Gunnison Growler Weekend, Gunnison, May 26 28

Kicking off the summer season is Gunnison Growler Weekend, featuring three days of biking events, trail running races, a kids fishing and outdoor sports derby, and outdoor sports expo for the whole family to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Gunnisons IOOF Park and one block of Virginia Avenue between Main Street and Iowa Street, will be filled with food vendors, live music and a beer garden for racers and the public to enjoy. This downtown area also will be the start and finishes for the Half-Growler (32 miles) and Full-Growler (64 miles) races and Growler Gran Fondo ride from Gunnison to Mt. Crested and back (64 miles). The other centers of activities will be Hartman Rocks Multi-Use Recreation Area and Jorgensen Park. The 25k and 50k Sage Burner trail running events start and finish and Hartman Rocks. For more information, go to http://www.gunnisontrails.com, http://www.gunnisonmentors.com and http://www.sageburnertrailrun.com.

32nd Annual Crested Butte Bike Week, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte, June 21 24

Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the proud hosts of the worlds oldest mountain bike festival, previously known as Fat Tire Bike Week.

    Crested Butte Bike Week launches with a kickoff party at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum/Mountain Bike Hall of Fame on June 21.
    The infamous Chainless World Championships on June 22 is always a thrilling scene for riders and spectators followed by the Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race on June 23.
    Those who prefer cross-country or downhill racing can catch some action at the Mountain States Cup Wildflower Rush races on Crested Butte Mountain Resort trails on June 23 24.
    If a one-speed cruiser is more your style, join in the fun for Adaptive Sports Centers annual Bridges of the Butte townie tour that runs from 3 p.m. on June 23 to 3 p.m. on June 24.
    Alison Gannetts Keen Rippin Chix Bike Camps will be offered on June 21, 22 and 23.
    Live music is planned for June 22 and possibly June 23, with bands to be announced soon.
    For information and registration details, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 545-4505 or visit http://www.ftbw.com.

10th Annual Gunnison River Festival, Gunnison, June 22 – 23

For a unique blend of hardcore and lighthearted outdoor recreation for all ages, dont miss the Gunnison River Festival on June 22 23. The event kicks off with the premiere of the Gunnison River Games in Legion Park on the evening of Friday, June 22. Compete in or watch these dry-land challenges that are sure to entertain from 6 9 p.m. with live music as the backdrop. On June 23, its all about being on the water with the festival based at Gunnison Whitewater Park. A kayak paddle on Blue Mesa Lake, competitive raft races, kayak competitions, River City Fun Zone for kids, community raft float, raft rodeo, surf comp and hooligan race are part of the fun. For costs, information, and registration forms, visit http://www.gunnisonriverfestival.com or call (970)901-6215.

16th Annual Crested Butte Music Festival, Gunnison Valley, July 4 Aug. 12    

The 2012 festival will showcase outstanding performers from all over the world and internationally acclaimed performers such as Boston Brass, American String Quartet, jazz legend Junior Mance and opera stars Marcello Giordani and Samuel Ramey. Celebrating its 16th year, CBMF also has bluegrass, opera and gypsy jazz mini-festivals that are part of the larger event. Mozarts opera The Magic Flute, a free family concert series on Saturdays, five home soirée concerts and much more are on this dynamic events six-week schedule. For more information and tickets, call (970) 349-0619 or visit http://www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com.

112th Annual Cattlemens Days, Gunnison, July 5 – 15

People who love the authenticity of The West should plan on attending the 112th annual Cattlemens Days at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center and various venues around Gunnison. The event features a county fair, parade, live music and dancing, a horse show, cowboy poetry, horse races, and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Activities are spread throughout the 11 days of Cattlemens Days festivities, with rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 12 – 14. For more information, call the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce at (800) 814-8893 or visit http://www.cattlemensdays.com.

26th Annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Crested Butte, July 9 – 15        

The historic mountain town of Crested Butte, which was designated the Wildflower Capital of Colorado by the state legislature in 1990, hosts this colorful festival during the peak of wildflower season. Nearly 200 individual events such as photography and art classes, 4 X 4 tours, hikes and flower identification walks, garden tours, cooking seminars and more focus on the magnificent sight of miles and miles of wildflower fields abloom in the area. For more information, call (970) 349-2571 or visit http://www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.

40th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, Crested Butte, August 3 5

Crested Butte Arts Festival (CBAF) is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors. Open-air booths line the five-block center of Crested Buttes National Historic District, featuring 175 artists who are selected through a very competitive jury process. New this year, the festival will be open Friday evening, Aug. 3, from 5 9 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. In addition to an Art Alley for kids, look for an artist demonstration tent, food court, beer and wine pavilion, live entertainment, art auction and culinary demonstrations. Additional culinary programs will be announced in the near future. Call (970) 349-1184 or visit http://www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com.

Car, Carving & Art Weekend, Gunnison, Aug. 16 19    

This dynamic weekend for all ages includes the 25th annual Gunnison Car Show, High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, and Carvin Up Colorado. Most of the activities take place in the neighboring Jorgensen and Legion Parks, with a 50s-style cruise-in and free dance on Main Street on Friday evening and a breakfast cruise to Crested Butte on Sunday morning. On Saturday, admire all the chrome during the open car show and browse the creations of 60 artisans from around the region at the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival. From Aug. 16 18, seven to 10 wood carvers from around the country will transform tree stumps into works of art that will be on permanent display in Legion Park and at other community sites. For information, call (970) 901-6215 (carving) and (800) 814-8893 (arts/crafts) and visit http://www.gunnisoncarclub.com.

Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off, Mt. Crested Butte, September 8

Get into the spirit of autumn with Mt. Crested Buttes annual Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-Off held on Sept. 8 at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) ski area. Heat up by sampling great chili prepared by area cook-off contestants, cool off with beers poured by several microbreweries and savor live music all afternoon. For admission costs and times, contact the Crested Butte-Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce at (800) 814-8893 and visit http://www.cbchamber.com.

Crested Butte Film Festival, Crested Butte, September 27 30

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