Durango is home to approximately 200 annual events, with each one adding to the unique flavor of our wonderful town. The primary downtown-event season will get started this month with two of the best, but several more not to be missed are just around the corner.
First up is the 21st annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. This year’s Meltdown is April 17-19, with more than 25 groups performing at multiple venues throughout downtown Durango; and expect impromptu performances from the artists all around town, as well. The event will kick off with a free concert from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the Powerhouse Science Center. Get your tickets for the Meltdown at www.DurangoMeltdown.com.
The Durango Wine Experience also is set for April, this year celebrating its ninth anniversary. Dates are April 23-25. The Wine Experience features educational seminars, wine dinners and unique tastings from hundreds of wineries, artisan distillers and craft brewers held throughout downtown. The popular “Walk About” is Friday, April 24, and the proverbial “gala” of the Wine Experience – the Grand Tasting – is April 25. Learn more and get tickets at www.DurangoWine.com.
Coming up in May is the always-popular Taste of Durango, set for May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Avenue in downtown. The Taste is one of the biggest events of the year and features unique and wonderful food offerings from many of our local restaurants. To me, Taste of Durango is the official start of summer, so I can’t wait to see what our creative restaurateurs have for us this year.
Taste of Durango will benefit Manna Soup Kitchen and scholarships for local culinary students. Purchase your tokens in advance at First National Bank of Durango’s downtown location, starting April 17. Taste of Durango is expecting more than 60 vendors, so there will be something for everyone. There’s more information at www.TasteOfDurango.com.
Set for the height of summer, make sure you plan to spend Fourth of July in downtown Durango as the Business Improvement District is coordinating a full day of events, culminating with the great fireworks show. The day will begin with a fun run and a pancake breakfast at Rotary Park, then will continue with activities through the afternoon at Buckley Park. The annual Stars & Stripes Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Main, followed by the High Rollers entertaining us at the Salute to America Street Dance on Main. The fireworks are planned for dusk – about 9 p.m.
The San Juan Brewfest will be held Aug. 29 in Buckley Park. Last year, general admission and VIP tickets completely sold out, so the event coordinators have put out the word to “buy early” this year. Tickets are set to go on sale June 1.
This year, the Brewfest will feature 51 breweries, plus live music, a new food court area and lots of fun. The event will benefit United Way of Southwest Colorado. Go to www.SanJuanBrewfest.com for details.
There’s always something going on downtown. Bookmark BID’s event calendar page at www.DowntownDurango.org/events-calendar to stay up-to-date.
timw@downtowndurango.org. Tim Walsworth is the executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District.
