Celebrate Father’s Day With a Colorado Staycation

father's day 2018 - steamboat hike

Iconic Festivals Underscore Colorado’s Allure on Father’s Day and Beyond

By Chris Duthie


After a demure winter that left many Colorado skiers and snowboarders in a state of utter consternation, the tide has turned: Recreationalists and experiential travelers are now hip-deep in warm-weather pastimes ranging from glorious festivals and celebrations to world-class competitions and recreation.

What better time than pairing Father’s Day (and on through July 4th) with favorite Colorado locales, pastimes and summer activities? Here is a bucket list sampling:

1) 30th Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup in Steamboat Springs illustrates how this venerable destination absolutely rides high in the summertime saddle. Despite its rodeo-sounding moniker, the event is actually a signature car show of nearly 500 Ford Mustangs displayed up and down Lincoln Avenue. Celebrate Father’s Day in style. Free. June 13-17

2) 70th FIBark in Salida is America’s oldest whitewater festival, a five-day celebration of kayaking, rafting, SUP and paddleboarding events, plus live music, parade, 5 and 10K foot races, bicycle races, disc golf, beer and wine tasting, a rubber duck race and a farmers’ market. Free. June 15-18

Father's Day Salida 2018

3) 121st Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs is just good old fashioned family fun, featuring a main street parade, live music and main-stage entertainment, arts and crafts fair, food court, kids interactive zone, games, swag giveaways and copious cups of free strawberries and ice cream. June 15-17

Father's Day Strawberry Festival

4) 45th Telluride Bluegrass Festival is presented in a mesmerizing box canyon locale that immerses roots music enthusiasts with performances from the world’s most celebrated bluegrass artists. This year’s star-studded lineup includes the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Emmylou Harris, Leftover Salmon, and, of course, the timeless Sam Bush. June 21-24.

5) 39th U.S. Senior Open will be staged in Colorado Springs at The Broadmoor. Played on the resort’s historic Donald Ross/Robert Trent Jones-designed East Course, the event underpins the breathtaking beauty of a landmark property that, in addition to its 100-year-old stature, is ranked among the very best in the world. June 25-July 1

6) 25th JAS June Experience in Aspen celebrates Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday with opening night performances from the Count Basie Orchestra, Kurt Elling and Roberta Gambarini, plus the 10-piece Maceo Parker Band performing covers from James Brown and Stevie Wonder. The playbill also includes Chicago, Naturally 7 and Rodrigo y Gabriela. June 26-28

7) Grand County’s July 4th Celebrations give holiday revelers at least 1776 reasons to feel proud and patriotic on Independence Day. Pack a picnic, spread out a blanket, make ready the Nikon and watch the sky-painting displays at Kremmling’s Fire Up the Cliffs celebration, Winter Park’s big small-town event, or the jaw-dropping fireworks over Grand Lake. July 4 


[easyazon_infoblock align=”right” identifier=”B07BMJ1RDL” locale=”US” tag=”coloradoavidg-20″]RELATED LINKS

U.S. Senior Open Countdown

Who Says Golf is Dying?

City Park is Closed; Where to Golf Now

Ravenna Club Opens New Facilities


For more amazing Colorado events and places to visit this summer, go online to Colorado.com.

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

GET COLORADO GOLF NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX