Now that 2019 is in full swing, here are key dates for events downtown and in the North Main District for your calendar.
The North Main District Clean Day will be held on May 3. This event was held for the first time one year ago, and will be repeated on an annual basis. Held in partnership with the city of Durango, Durango Chamber of Commerce and Local First, the North Main District Clean Day asks volunteers to help clean a two-block section of north Main Avenue.
The Main Event in the North Main District is also in its second year. This event showcases a section of the North Main District, and shows for one day how the corridor will function as it redevelops over the next several years. It will occur on May 4.
Taste of Durango is one of the community’s favorite events. This year’s date is May 19. The Taste of Durango features 40 to 50 restaurants, offering tastes of their best dishes. This event is how downtown kicks off summer and is one of the biggest events every year.
Downtown Clean Day is always the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, which this year is May 24. Organized by the Durango Chamber of Commerce and supported by the city and BID, Clean Day brings 100 volunteers downtown to shine it up before the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
The San Juan Brewfest turns 21 this year! Benefiting United Way of Southwest Colorado, the Brewfest is the biggest and best beer-tasting festival in the Four Corners. It will be held on Aug. 24, and tickets go on sale June 1 at 10 a.m. More information is at SanJuanBrewfest.com.
The Downtown Balloon Glow date has not been confirmed yet but will be held in mid-October. The Downtown Balloon Glow is a unique event, with four or five hot-air balloons fully inflated and glowing in historic downtown Durango. It’s quite the photo opportunity, and also a chance to get up close to the balloons and interact with the pilots.
Children’s Halloween is always on Halloween, which this year is on a Thursday. From 4 to 6 p.m., 100 downtown stores will offer safe and fun trick-or-treating. The event is for children 10 and younger, in costume, accompanied by an adult.
Singing with Santa is always the day after Thanksgiving, which this year is Nov. 29. Singing with Santa is the start of the holidays in downtown. Attendees follow Santa on Main Avenue in a caroling procession to Buckley Park. At the park, the Community Christmas Tree is lit, then free hot chocolate and cookies are served. Photos with Santa are available, but attendees should bring their own camera.
To keep up with information about downtown and the North Main District throughout the year, sign up for BID’s weekly E-News, a short, accurate and timely information piece published every Wednesday morning. To sign up, go to DowntownDurango.org and click on the “I Want To” tab.
Tim Walsworth is the executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District. Contact him at timw@downtowndurango.org.
