As usual, summer is flying by. In just more than a month, the kids will be back in school. Even so, there are still many great events and activities to do before we get to our wonderful fall season.
The first event on my mind is the San Juan Brewfest. The Brewfest is presented by Bank of the San Juans and benefits United Way of Southwest Colorado. The annual beer tasting festival features unlimited tastings from 33 breweries, and three live bands over two days – Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 – at Buckley Park in historic Downtown Durango.
Tickets for Friday only cost $45. Friday will have half as many people attending as Saturday, so no waiting in long lines. If you like the big party, come on Saturday. Saturday tickets are $50, and a VIP option is also available that costs $85. VIP’s receive one-hour early entry, a meal from Grassburger served in a shaded seating area only for VIPs, a hands-free tasting glass holder and Brewfest merchandise. There are a very limited number of Super VIP tickets, which get you into the event for both days.
Tickets are on sale now at SanJuanBrewfest.com. Enjoy food, fun, live music and try some amazing craft beers while supporting our local United Way at the same time.
The La Plata County Fair is also in August. This year’s dates are Aug. 9 to Aug. 13, and of course it is held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Events Center in the North Main District. Highlights include the True West Roundup rodeo on Aug. 9, a talent contest on Aug. 10, a concert by the Bellamy Brothers on Aug. 11, and a rooster crowing contest plus the Demolition Derby on Aug. 12. Not to mention the animal exhibits and the auctions supporting local youths in our 4H and FFA clubs.
Peeking ahead to September, the 29th annual Autumn Arts Festival will be held on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 on East Second Ave. The Autumn Arts Festival will feature nearly 100 fine arts and fine craft makers from around the region and the nation. The Arts Festival is organized by the Durango Arts Center.
There are also regular events that occur weekly, including the summer concert series at Buckley Park on Thursday nights through Aug. 3. These free concerts are brought to you by the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. The Durango Farmers Market is every Saturday morning at the TBK Bank parking lot downtown. You can also enjoy weekly trivia nights, open mic nights and rodeos.
You can find all the details about just about every event in the area this summer, and year-round, at DowntownDurango.org/events. This event calendar is powered by our friends at WhatsHappeningDurango.com. BID thanks, Leanne and Mark, for making this calendar happen.
I hope to see you out and about this summer!
Tim Walsworth is executive director of Durango Business Improvement District. Reach him at timw@downtowndurango.org or 375-5068.
