FALL FUN AND FESTIVALS IN CHAFFEE COUNTY Chaffee County, CO--The electric fall colors serve as a beautiful backdrop to events and activities that make Chaffee County the epicenter of fall festivals. Aspens turning their brilliant shades of color, warm sunny days and cool crisp nights set the stage for those who love the natural splendors of the outdoors all while enjoying festivals and activities that celebrate this special time of the year. From fly fishing to participatory art events to ATVing or running through the fabulous fall foliage, Chaffee County has it all. The Arkansas River Double Haul Celebrity Fly-fishing Charity event will be held in Salida, September 12-13, 2008. The event is a fundraiser for the Rotary Clubs of Salida and Buena Vista. The fun begins Friday evening with a public dinner and auction held at the new Salida SteamPlant and Events Center (located on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Salida). While feasting on a gourmet dinner, mingle with the Celebrity headliners which include Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, former Denver Bronco star Karl Meklenburg; Denver News 2 Anchor Ernie Bjorkman; fly-fishing diva, Char Bloom; Don Puterbaugh, the “Dean of all Arkansas River Fly-fishing guides and many others. Dinner will be followed by a live and silent auction. The live auction will give the highest bidder the honor fishing with their favorite Celebrity all day Saturday. The silent auction will feature items donated by the celebrities and local sponsors. For more information visit arkansasriverdoublehaul.com. The Autumn Color Run takes place on Saturday, September 20, 2008 in the picturesque town of Buena Vista, nestled in the upper Arkansas River valley in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks. The races is sanctioned by the USA Track and Field and includes a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K and a One Mile fun run. The half marathon starts west of town above Cottonwood Lake and winds it’s way into town on mostly dirt roads. The 10K starts and finishes in town with a run up and down a section of Cottonwood pass. The 5K starts on Cottonwood Pass and comes straight into town, dropping a few hundred feet on the way. The race has become known for the finest race food table in the state! For more information visit fourteenernet.com/colorun/. Fall colors in Buena Vista will be at their peak for the ATV Historical Color Tour, September 24-27, 2008. Participants of this 4x4 all terrain vehicle rally and mountain festival will visit the area’s old mining sites and ghost towns on self-guided tours, go to the top of a 14’er, cross the continental divide and take in the fall colors and great fall weather. There will be rides for all skill levels and night time is get together time with BBQ’s, libations, entertainment and awards. For more information visit coloradoatvtour.org. For the art lovers, Salida will host two distinctly different, but equally unique fall events. The first Annual Plein Air Festival will take place all over the Arkansas River Valley, September 18-21. Over 50 artists will participate in this outdoor, fresh air painting festival. The artists will turn in their best two painting for judging on Saturday of the event and Sunday the artists will be back for a special “QuickDraw” event where they only have two hours to create a masterpiece along the banks of the Arkansas in downtown Salida. Immediately following will be an auction, artists reception and sale of the paintings. For more information visitcoloradomountainpleinairfestival.com. September 28-29, 2008, Riverside Park in Downtown Salida will host ARTicipation. This art event is “for the people and from the people”. For two days there will be art that is created and set up for display throughout Riverside Park. Activities for the family to view and participate in, including recording video and photographic images of art in progress and projected as a new larger than life cumulative moving art piece with music at the Amphitheater in Riverside Park. For more information visit articipation.org. Finally the town of Buena Vista will host the First Annual Sustainability Showcase & Celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2008. The daylong event will focus on three main topics: Renewable Energy, Local Food Production and Sustainable Economic Development. The keynote speaker will be Randy Udall, former director of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) in western Colorado, and one of the nation’s leading activists in promoting energy sustainability. The “Showcase” refers to the trade show which will be set up around the perimeter of the interior of the Orpheum Theatre starting Saturday morning, for businesses, organizations or individuals wishing to display or promote their “green” products or services. The event will end with a “Community Mixer” featuring live, local talent. For more information visit cmcneverstoplearning.com. About Chaffee County— | Chaffee County is located in Central Colorado, the Heart of the Colorado Rockies. As Colorado's Headwaters of Adventure – it stars the small towns of Buena Vista, Salida, Poncha Springs as well as Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area.
| | Folks drawn here enjoy the welcome contrasts to the state's more glamorous destination resorts. You don't need the trendiest clothes or newest equipment to fit in with the locals. However, if you do have a thirst for adventure we have more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in. Fifteen of the states 53 14,000 ft peaks touch the sky here in the Sawatch Range. In spring, summer, fall and winter, Chaffee County is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, biking, ATVing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, flyfishing, camping, horseback riding, swimming, tennis and golfing. Winter sports fans can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Monarch Mountain, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Year-around visitors in the “banana belt” can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops in the historic towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Lodging options range from motels to rustic inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, beautiful campsites to guest ranches. For more information and a complimentary brochure, visit www.ColoradoHeadwaters.com. |
About the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau
The Chaffee County Visitor's Bureau was approved by voters in 1990. It is funded by a 1.9 percent countywide lodging tax. The CCVB is charged with advertising and promoting the county's tourism resources.
EDITORIAL CONTACT:
April Prout
Marketing Coordinator
april.prout@msn.com
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Copyright 2005 Arkansas Valley Publishing. No reproduction without permission.
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