Get a Rocky Mountain high at festivals and fairs that deliver family fun in Colorado!
It’s how the West is fun! Engage your kids in a variety of interesting and unusual fun family events taking place against the backdrop of gorgeous Colorado scenery. You can always find a party going on in the Rocky Mountains!
Colorado State Fair
Great shows on the grandstand stage with top recording artists and bands is the background music to old-fashioned fun at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado from Aug. 24 to Sept. 3. Traditional fair food, from funnel cakes to cotton candy and corn dogs, plus the spicy aromas of southwest specialties for Fiesta Days, add to the atmosphere. The midway features thrilling carnival rides, the rodeo and parade draw enthusiastic crowds and you’ll see plenty everywhere on the fair grounds: livestock shows and sales, horse and small animal shows, fine arts exhibits, native American dances and crafts — even a circus!
Location: 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, Colorado
Phone: 800-876-4567
Website:http://www.coloradostatefair.com
Palisade Peach Festival
The taste of summer is ripe and sweet at the Palisade Peach Festival, one of the original agricultural festivals in Colorado that takes place Aug. 16 to 19. You’ll find live music, delicious foods, plenty of special activities for kids and all things peachy: pies, ice cream, preserves and jams, salsas, brandy and wine. Get ready for the peach-eating contest and don’t forget to load a bushel of just-picked fruit to take home! Colorado chefs teach “peach cuisine” and give you a taste of deliciousness during the “Feast in the Field.” Cheer for the Peach Festival Parade and crowning of the Queen and her court, visit the Just 4 Fun Car Show and let the kids enjoy the carnival rides in the heart of Colorado’s fruit and wine country.
Location: 319 Main St., Palisade, Colorado, 81526
Phone: 970-464-7458
Website:http://www.palisadepeachfest.com
Rhythm on the River
Just north of Denver, the city of Longmont hosts Rhythm on the River July 13 to 14 with wonderful water adventures and family fun activities in Roger’s Grove. It starts each day with a traditional prairie breakfast following the 6:30 a.m. hot air balloon launch, and the fun continues throughout the day. Launch your rubber duck on the river, and then check out a free canoe or kayak. Learn those kayaking skills in the swimming pool before you battle the river currents! Land-lovers will enjoy the Outdoor Adventure Land with the climbing wall and the mountain biker obstacle course (bikes are provided), and kids ages 1 to 8 can learn anglers skills at the Catch and Release Trout Fishing Tank. The Discovery District teaches how to turn trash into treasure by making arts, crafts and toys from recycled materials. Don an animal mask for the Animal Parade. Wildlife Way is an interactive trip with animals that make their habitats in our backyards. The World Market offers unique crafts from around the globe, and local eateries provide festival food booths to the sounds of local musicians providing live entertainment.
Location: 350 Kimbark St., Longmont, Colorado, 80501
Phone: 303-776-6050
Website: www.ci.longmont.co.us/rotr/index.htm
Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede is one of the richest prize-money rodeo events in the world, and features jaw-dropping competitions at every performance with bareback riding, saddle bronco riding, team roping contests, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, mutton busting and the chilling thrills and real danger in bull riding events. In addition to traditional rodeo events, the Greeley Stampede has pint-sized fun for little buckaroos: the mutton busting contest, a kids’ corral, a petting zoo and a huge carnival midway packed with dozens of rides. There are concerts, western art shows and a roller derby event. Don’t forget the kid-pleasing action of the big boys’ toys crushing their competition in the Monster Truck Summer Nationals.
Location: 600 N. 14th Ave., Greeley, Colorado
Phone: 970-356-7787
Website:greeleystampede.org
Colorado Renaissance Festival
This summer weekend event runs Saturdays and Sundays from June 9 through July 29, rain or shine in Larkspur, Colorado, located midway between Denver and Colorado Springs. A cast of hundreds in authentic costume continuously perform and play pranks on seven stages located throughout the venue, recreating an authentic 16th century festival. Families can interact with jousters and jugglers, meet royalty and peasants, watch blacksmiths and other craftsmen and choose treats: baked goods, corn on the cob and giant roasted turkey legs! Artisans exhibit a variety of wares — jewelry, leather items and mouth-blown glass — as you wander through the village encountering singing minstrels and fair maidens who make legends come alive.
Location: Larkspur, Colorado
Phone: 303-688-6010
Website: www.colorado renaissance.com
Image courtesy of Colorado State Fair
More Colorado festivals:
Boulder Creek Festival
Capitol Hill People’s Fair
Breckenridge Festival of Film
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