Summer events are back and going strong. Here’s a rundown of three events to put on your calendar.
First up is the Fourth of July this Sunday. Almost everything we normally do on the Fourth will occur this year, except the parade and fireworks. Fireworks were canceled last week because of high fire danger, and the parade could not be planned because of COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place earlier in the year.
In the morning, go to Rotary Park for a pancake breakfast hosted by the Durango Rotary Club. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11:30 a.m., and tickets are just $12 for adults, $7 for kids, and free for 5 and younger. Also at Rotary Park starting at about 9:15 a.m. is a concert featuring the Southwest Civic Winds and the Durango Chorale Society. They will play patriotic and toe-tapping music until 10:30 a.m.
The action then shifts to Buckley Park from noon to 4:30 p.m., where Building Homes for Heroes will host a Fourth of July picnic. Food and beer are available for purchase, and you can listen to live music from The Badly Bent and the Kirk James Blues Band. Kids’ activities are also on site. Next, head over to the Transit Center for the Street Dance, starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. The Street Dance has food and beer available for purchase, kids’ activities and live music from the Stillhouse Junkies and DJ Calvin.
The city of Durango is hosting free outdoor movies this summer. The Movies in the Park series occurs every other Friday and rotates between the lawn in the back of the Durango Community Recreation Center and Buckley Park. The remaining schedule starts on July 16 behind the Rec Center with “Finding Nemo.” Two weeks later on Aug. 6, you can see “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” at Buckley Park. The final movie is on Aug. 20 back at the Rec Center, and will show the original version of “The Karate Kid.”
The San Juan Brewfest returns after taking off last year. Instead of a one-day event with about 2,500 people attending, the Brewfest is changing to a two-day event with 1,000 tickets sold each day. This change will create more space for everyone. Dates are Saturday Aug. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday Aug. 29, from noon to 4 p.m.
Up to 30 breweries will attend, including our local favorites Carver Brewing Co., Ska Brewing Co., Steamworks Brewing Co., Animas Brewing Co. – plus our two newest breweries, High Trestle Brewing Co. and Anarchy Brewing Co.
Other breweries include: Mancos Brewing Co., Fenceline Cider, Bottom Shelf Brewery, plus Marble Brewery and La Cumbre Brewing Co. from Albuquerque. Two live bands will play each day. Prophectic Calaveras opens both days. The Afrobeatniks headline Saturday and DJ Calvin headlines on Sunday.
Tickets are selling fast, so get yours at SanJuanBrewfest.com.
Events are back and in a big way. Check out BID’s new microsite HeartOfDurango.com and click on the Events button to see everything that is happening every day, courtesy of our friends at WhatsHappeningDurango.com. There is other great information on that site for locals and visitors.
Tim Walsworth is executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District. Contact him at timw@downtowndurango.org.
