May 2011

May 7 - Caddis Festival Banquet 26th Annual at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.  Contact Jim Impara at 719-395-0478, twopi@hughes.net

May 7 - Collegiate Peaks Trail Run.  25 to 50 mile run East of town on old railroad grade and trails. There is over 3,500 feet elevation gain in each 25 mile loop. Limited to 300 runners. www.collegiatepeakstrailrun.org

May 14 - Adventure Xtreme. Triathlon with kayaking, biking and running.

May 20 -21 - Buena Vista Bike Fest. Road rides of various distances including a century and metric century.  Evening entertainment and food.  www.bvbf.org

May 27 - 30 - Paddle Fest.  Join in on an action-packed weekend of fun and educational activities for whitewater enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.   Movies, live music, food and fun.  www.paddlefest.com

May 27 - 28 - Buena Vista (Whitewater) Pro Rodeo. A Pro Freestyle Competition will be followed by an evening party and awards ceremony. With snow pack in the Arkansas River drainage currently at 165%, the Buena Vista Pro Rodeo promises to be a freestyle event of the highest quality.

May 28 - Buena Vista Heritage Museum opens Saturday, May 28.  The museum remains open seven days a week through September 30.

June 2011

June 2 - St. Elmo Schoolhouse opens for the season Wed-Sun 9am-6pm through Sept 13

June 12 -  Turner Farm opens for the season 

June 5, 12, 19, & 26 - Farmer's Market at Turner Farm. Contact market@ccfa.coop

June 15 - 19 - FIBArk Whitewater Festival – First Boat in the Arkansas! River events, running events, bike race, parade, family activities, music and many more festivities. Salida.

June 12 - Ride the Rockies!  The annual Ride the Rockies tour

July 2011

July 1 - 5 - The Quilt and Textile Show. Quilts for show and sale are on display daily throughout the show. Buena Vista Community Center. 719-395-8780

July 2 - The ONLY Madams of Central Colorado performance at the Museum at 7pm.  Doors open at 6:30pm.  For more information, see the Madam page.  Last year's performance filled the house to overflowing!  Tickets on sale at the Buena Vista Chamber, at the Museum and online.  For more information call 719-395-8458.

July 2  – Grand Opening of the BV Depot and Caboose!  

July 3 - Mountain Mania Car Show (28th Annual) 100 cars of all makes, models, and years displayed on East Main from 8am-3pm.  To register a car call 719-221-9797 www.arkansasvalleycarclub.com  Street dance from 6-10 pm that night in front of Punky's on East Main.

July 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 - Farmers' Market at Turner Farm contact market@ccfa.coop

July 4 - Fourth of July Celebration! Old fashioned hometown celebration. Pancake breakfast 7am. Parade at 10:00 on East Main.  Want to be in it?  Just show up at the Courthouse at 9:30. KIDS--deocorate your pet or your bike and ride in the parade; you might when a small prize!! Kids games and entertainment in Forest Square park (outside the Chamber building) after the parade. Burgers and Hot Dogs sold by the Rotary Club, pie slices sold by Young at Heart---they sell out fast so buy one early. Fireworks at the rodeo grounds at dusk.

July 4 - Art In The Park.  Arts and crafts show in Buena Vista's McPhelemy Park by the lake. 

July 4 - Buena Vista Heritage Museum FREE DAY!  On the fourth of July the museum is free to the public. 

July 4 -5  - 5K Run registration is $20 (T-shirt/refreshments) at 7:30 a.m. at the BV Community Center on race day.  Scenic race along river starts at 8:45. More info contact Tom and Tammy White (395-2324) or Mike Wolters (395-8299).  Benefits HS Cross Country team.

July 7, 14, 21, & 28 - Concert in the Park.  Concert at 7 pm.    Music Concerts in Forest Square Park , next to the Chamber.  Admission by donation.

July 9 – 10 - 90th Annual Collegiate Peaks Stampede Rodeo.  Events Saturday 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m..  Mutton bustin, calf roping, bronc bustin - GREAT small town rodeo experience!

July 22 - 24 - BalloonaVista/Art Walk. Fourth annual balloon festival. Balloons fly at 6 am Saturday and Sunday with a "glow" at dusk Saturday.Vendors and activities for all ages.  Beer garden.  www.collegiatepeaksmusicfestival.com

July 28 - 30 Collegiate Peaks Music Festival. In McPhelemy Park Saturday 10-8 pm, various performers. 

July 29 - August 1 New Old-Fashioned Chaffee County Fair. Located at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds in Poncha Springs. Tractor-pull competitions, animal shows, livestock auction, arts & crafts, food, beer garden, entertainment & rodeo. Call Fairgrounds for more information. (719) 539-6151

August 2011

August 6 - 8 Leadville Boom Days.  Event celebrates Leadville's heritage.  This includes mining events, famous burro races, food and merchandise vendors, music, and Pancake Breakfast. For more information call (888) 532-3845

August 7, 14, 21, & 28 - Farmers' Market at The Turner Farm contact market@ccfa.coop

August 11 - 14 - Contin-Tail Rock and Gem Show.  A rock collector's paradise. More than 100 booths. Merchants from all over the country gather at the Rodeo Grounds in Buena Vista to sell, swap and show rocks, minerals and gems. Everything from mineral samples to sculptured art work to fine jewelry.

August 12 - Opening day for Smithsonian Exhibit, "Between Fences" at BV Heritage Museum last until Sept 30.

August 13 - 14 - Gold Rush Days! Step back in time to the Colorado Gold Rush when Main Street in Buena Vista, Colorado reflects on their gold mining past. Try your hand at gold panning, watch gunfights, take a square dance lesson or listen to music from the past. Watch the Costume Parade.   Included in the event are about 100 vendors which include food vendors, a beer garden, children's rides, craft booths and more--maybe even a mechanical bull. Other events of the weekend include a pancake breakfast, special showing of "Madams of Central Colorado", and a rock and gem show.

August 20 - 21 - King Boletus Mushroom Festival.  Learn to forage and cook mushrooms. Register at www.buenavistaheritage.org or at 719-395-8458   

August 21 - The GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run course runs from Buena Vista to Beaver Creek, through the heart of the White River and San Isabel National Forests. The course includes a mix of singletrack and forest road with nearly 25,000 feet of elevation gain, reaching altitudes of over 12,500 ft.

August  21 - Trap Shoot

August 21 - Buena Vista Canine Challenge. Frisbee Dog and Dog Agility competitions. All events at the soccer fields at Riverside Park at the east end of Main St. This is a fund raiser for the Ark Valley Humane Society. Novices welcome. www.bvk9classic.com

September 2011

September 4, 11, 18, & 25 - Farmers' Market at The Turner Farm contact market@ccfa.coop

September 10 - Applefest!  The Historic Turner Farm will again open its gates to host the Apple Fest in Buena Vista. Step back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Tour the farm of five old buildings including the two story farm house. Great family fun with music, old time demonstrations, lunch, apple pie and more.

September 15 - 25 - Colorado Mountain Plein Air Festival.

September 17 - Autumn Color Run. Four races are offered at this event--half marathon, 5k, 10k or a fun walk or run. Enjoy the peak of the fall colors as you run into Buena Vista from the Cottonwood Pass area.

September 21 - 24 - ATV Historical Color Tour. Bring your own ATV and ride various trails and visit historic areas in the midst of autumn's grand colors. Four days of riding, evening activities, and more.