by Christy Parrott
Mark your calendars, because the summer activity season is about to begin- -with a little something for everyone.
Kremmling Days
Kremmling Days is just around the corner, from June 15-17th. Festivities officially begin Friday at noon (though the Grand Adventure Brewing Company will have live, local music plus a sneak peek at this years featured band, AM Whiskey, on Thursday night to kick things off right). Friday night, starting at 5 p.m., the beer garden, vendors and kid zone will be available. Saturday at 8am feast on the pancake breakfast, participate in the Mustang Mile, starting at 9:45am, before watching the parade at 10 and enjoying the Fireman’s kid’s games, horseshoe tournament, and cliff golf throughout the day. AM Whiskey will be playing Friday and Saturday night, thanks to new Chamber Director, Tara Sharp. Once last year’s band cancelled, due to vehicle issues, Sharp called in a favor to AM Whiskey, and music will still be provided for all. “I’m hoping for a huge turnout,” Sharp explains. “Community involvement is vital.”
Muzzle Loading Association
From July 11th-15th, the Colorado State Muzzle loading Association will hold their annual shooting tournament at the Blue Valley Sportsman’s Club. Over 40 individual matches for juniors, women and seniors include trap, skeet and 5-stand, with medallion awards for the top three placings in each. The event is open to the public. To register, Tom Hart says, “Just drive out to the range and register with the clubhouse.” The Ladies Auxiliary provides a daily $5 lunch, and Saturday night dinner is free to all participants.
Rocky Mountain International Harvester Rendezvous
The Rocky Mountain International Harvester Rendezvous will pull into town from July 20th-22nd for a truck show and vehicle games. Don’t miss the parade on Saturday at 4pm, which includes over 100 types of vehicles. Described as “The show on wheels,” the parade will feature everything from a mini go-cart to a tractor and everything in between. After the vehicles drive through Main Street, many will participate in a Mud Bog held at the fairgrounds at 7pm.
Rocky Mountain Farriers
July 27-29th, the Colorado Classic RMFA brings horseshoers from around the country. The event is open to the public and includes 3 different divisions, team competitions and a live shooing, with the event culminating in a banquet and live auction. This year brings a father-and-son team Chris and Cody Greggory, owners of Hartland Horseshoeing school in Missouri, to judge the competitors. Chris Greggory says, “Cody and I are very honored to be judging this iconic contest together.” Spectators may even catch a glimpse of celebrity, as Greggory’s wife competed on the show Forged in Fire. Check the Facebook page for event postings and updates.
Middle Park Fair & Rodeo
The MPFR schedule starts Friday, August 8th at 8am with a 4-H exhibition and goes through August 13th with the CPRA rodeo. Saturday, August 4th begins with a dog and cat show, and a 5k run, and fashion review. Sunday the 5th offers an open horse show, and Monday, August 6th, don’t miss the Queen’s pageant. The barns are open all day Tuesday with a packed schedule of exhibit hall entries, the poultry/rabbit weigh in, horse show riding events, and royalty horsemanship judging. Junior Livestock Sale Committee member Sheena Terryberry explains, “The Fair is not just for our kids to show the animals that they have put so much hard work into, but also to be in the animal barns, spending time with all the other kids and their families, who work hard and take pride in raising quality livestock for their communities.”
Wednesday offers 4-H speed events, the rabbit/poultry show, animal placing, swine weigh in, sheep/goat weigh in, and beef weigh in. The Queen’s Barrel race wraps up the day. Thursday brings the swine, sheep, goat and beef shows, the junior rodeo, and ends with a presale dinner, livestock sale, music and dance. Saturday serves up cookie, pie and horseshoe contests, a chili cookoff, the Pioneer Citizen’s lunch, horse races, mini broncos and Calcutta. Sunday offers a breakfast, archery, church service, BBQ and the CPRA rodeo. 4-H Program Coordinator Lacy Stovner explains, “Here at the CSU extension office, we are excited to see the culmination of a years effort for our members. We invite the public to come watch the 4-H events, which begin Tuesday and end Friday night with the junior livestock sale. We also invite businesses and individuals to come to the sale beginning Friday at 7 p.m. to support the 4-H members in the livestock projects.”
Demoliton Derby
August 18 Make sure to show up early for the Demolition Derby on a special date: 8/18/18. Before the smashing begins, listen to a live band and welcome new announcer, council member Erik Woog. Coordinator, Rebecca Jones says, “Each year the vehicle classes grow, and we’re adding new sponsors.” MPFR President, Robert Nelson assures, “The board is attempting to expand alcohol consumption beyond the beer garden. We’re in the process of applying right now, and we’re hoping to include the whole midway.”
Gore Fest
American Whitewater hosts the annual Gore Fest August 24-28th. For the past 30 years, participants have been racing through Gore Canyon, kayaking and rafting. Recently, the event has been expanded to include activities such as stand up paddle boarding as well as live music on Saturday. Because of the new structures at the pumphouse, everyone can “Park and Play.” Shuttles will be provided for people who want to float down the river. The Gore Fest celebrates the water rights, owned by the county, to protect against future development and keep the water in the river for recreators. Event coordinator Hattie Johnson says, “Our mission is to keep it a homegrown local festival. All of the vendors are from Colorado. It’s a fun end-of-the-season event.”
Roadkill Supper
Finally, keep a look out for The RoadKill Supper sometime this September. Director Sharp says, “We’re planning on it. Last year was a huge success, thanks, in large part, to Grand Adventure Brewing for providing a variety of beer. Rick made a delicious rabbit pizza.”
Kremmling’s events foster community pride, strengthen relationships, promote tourism and maintain a living history. Hats tipped to another successful season.
