Summer Sizzles in Colorado

2007-05-21

DENVER (May 21, 2007) — This summer, Colorado offers up a sizzling schedule of events, from popular art and music festivals to iconic celebrations of food, wine, classic cars — and even hot air balloons. The following is a sampling of events taking place this summer. For more information including a full event calendar, visit www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800-COLORADO.

• The 4^th Annual Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest (Aspen/Snowmass) June 8-10. The International Chili Society holds its two chili competitions and tastings in Snowmass, while microbrewers from more than 30 breweries face off in a prestigious summer ale competition with two brew sampling sessions for festival-goers. www.snowmasschiliandbrew.com
  
• The 7^th Annual Boats, Blues and BBQ (Pueblo) June 8-9. A premiere summer event on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. A celebration of food and live music, the event features activities for the entire family, including a junior cook-off competition for children. The highlight of the event is a cook-off competition that is sure to please seasoned BBQ connoisseurs and first timers alike. www.puebloharp.com
  
• Old Town Car Show (Fort Collins) June 9. Car enthusiasts should mark their calendars. Hundreds of hotrods, vintage cars and classic trucks will be on display in Downtown Fort Collins for this annual celebration of automobiles. www.downtownfortcollins.com
  
• BalloonaVista (Buena Vista) June 9-10. Enjoy hot air balloon liftoffs at dawn and sensational balloon glows at night with a stunning mountain backdrop. During the day, visit the Buena Vista Art Walk and enjoy live music daily. www.balloonavista.com
  
• The Aspen Food & Wine Classic, June 15-17, 2007. The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is the nation’s premier culinary event and is considered the kickoff to Aspen’s summer season. This year, the Aspen Food & Wine Classic is celebrating its 25^th year. Guests will enjoy reserve wine tastings and seminars; cooking demonstrations and events with celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali and father-and-daughter team Jacques and Claudine Pépin; and featured speakers Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentis, Emeril Lagasse, and many more. www.foodandwine.com/ext/classic/home.html
  
• Jazz Aspen Snowmass (Aspen/Snowmass) June 21-24. Jazz Aspen Snowmass has been consistently recognized for its unique marriage of world-class music to an unparalleled natural and intimate setting, and its impeccable hospitality for artist and audiences alike. Performers for this year’s event include Herbie Hancock & Friends, Earth Wind & Fire, Steve Winwood and The Black Crowes. www.jazzaspen.com
  
• Country Jam USA Music Festival (Grand Junction) June 21-24. This 4-day music festival features some of country music's top performers, including Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley and more. www.countryjam.com
  
• Lafayette Festival of Colorado Wines (Lafayette) June 22-23. Craftsmen, chefs and Colorado wineries converge at this popular local festival with cheese and wine seminars, winemaker dinners, top-name music and art auctions. www.discoverlafayette.com
  
• 104^th Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days (Steamboat Springs) June 29-July 4. One of Steamboat Springs’ oldest traditions and a salute to the Old West. Celebrate Independence Day with a downtown parade, fireworks, cattle drive and rodeos. www.steamboatsummer.com
  
• Crested Butte Music Festival (Crested Butte) July 1-31. Music for all ages brings the Rockies to life with exciting performances, from jazz to blues, symphony to opera and bluegrass to rock. www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com
  
• 20^th Annual Beaver Creek Arts Festival (Beaver Creek) August 4-5. Beaver Creek Resort will host more than 150 of the nation’s finest artists showcasing photography, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glass, ceramics, mixed media and more. www.artfestival.com
  
• Cherry Creek Arts Festival (Denver) July 6-8. Colorado’s signature cultural event and a nationally top-ranked celebration of the arts. Highlights include 200 of the nation’s top juried visual artists, curator exhibits, performing and culinary arts, and "Artivities" for the whole family. The Arts Festival is held July 4^th weekend in Denver’s elegant Cherry Creek North and attracts 350,000 people each year. www.cherryarts.org
  
• 27^th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and 33^rd Annual Art in the Park (Steamboat Springs) July 7-8. Guests flock to the annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo to watch Steamboat Springs fill with color as hot air balloons rise over the valley. At Art in the Park, Steamboat’s largest art and craft festival, visitors can purchase paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more. www.steamboatsummer.com
  
• Crested Butte Wildflower Festival (Crested Butte) July 9-15. Visitors can hike and bike through spectacular fields of wildflowers in Crested Butte, the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, and enjoy special workshops and photography classes. www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
  
• Music in the Mountains Classical Music Festival (Durango) July 15-August 5. Enjoy 38 concerts during this world-class festival of orchestra, chamber music and young artist performances. www.musicinthemountains.com
  
• Palisade Peach Festival (Palisade) August 17-19. Join out-of-town and local vendors, artisans, crafters, musicians and fruit growers for a Colorado celebration of the Western Slope's wonderful peach harvest. www.palisadepeachfest.com
  
• Mesa Verde Country Wine & Art Festival (Cortez) August 24-26. Local artists and regional vintners gather in Cortez to celebrate the harvest, view fall colors, taste outstanding Colorado wines, and attend special winemaker dinners at fine area restaurants. www.mesaverdecountry.com

ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado is a four-season destination offering world-class adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and renowned ski resort areas. The state’s breathtaking natural landscape boasts natural hot springs, thousands of lakes and rivers, ten national parks and monuments, and 54 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, call 1-800-COLORADO or visit www.COLORADO.com. Media should visit the Colorado Media Room atwww.COLORADO.com/mediaroom.php for story ideas, press releases/press kits as well as high-resolution, downloadable photos and video for editorial use.

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