Crested Butte |

Mountain Mantra….. FESTivals…. til the end of summer….

Planning a weekend out of the city? Colorado provides an astonishing array of fun festivals highlighting art, wine, golf, biking and vacation deals for fabulous getaways and of course cooler weather in the high country. Don’t forget your bikes, helmets, parkas, picnic baskets and blankets.

Steamboat Wine Festival, August 1-5

Celebrate wine, craft beer and gourmet cuisine while soaking in the warm mountain sunshine at this feel-good festival, featuring events like the new “Farm-to-Barn Wine Dinner,” plus tastings, cooking demos, seminars and the signature “Stroll of Steamboat Grand Tasting.” Click here for more info.

Crested Butte Arts Festival, August 3-5
Shop for art along the charming mountain town’s quaint Elk Avenue, a National Historic District, enjoy the farm-to-table food event on Saturday, and be sure to swing by the beer and wine pavilion for tasty sips and live music. Click here for more info.

Crested Butte Open, August 5-6
This high-style event invites golfers to tee off for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the Adaptive Sports Center. You won’t want to miss the auction at the western-style gala; in the past, enviable items like an African safari and trip to Nepal have been up for the bidding. Click here for more info.

Telluride Festival of the Arts, August 17-19
Drawing discriminating art shoppers to the breathtaking heights of Telluride Mountain Village, this classy affair delivers a colorful variety of art, fun foodie events and the best in local food and drink. Click here for more info.

Cool Art Festival in Crested Butte

It’s getting hot in Denver. I try not to whine, after all, I spent two summers in Florida, where the billowing heat of the asphalt wafted up my nostrils and burned my dainty nose hairs.

Crested Butte is pretty cool, and it really should be cool in August. Check this out. See you there.

The Crested Butte Arts Festival, celebrating the visual, performing and culinary arts at 8,885 feet, takes place this year from August 3-5 along Historic Elk Avenue. Featuring 175 of the nation’s finest visual artists, the CBAF must be experienced to be believed. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the festival will host a special “Friday Night Under the Lights” opening event from 5-9 pm.

There is truly something for everyone, including the Ragged Mountain Entertainment stage, Oskar Blues and Cupcake Vineyards’ Beer & Wine Pavilion, Art Alley for kids, Viking Culinary Demonstration Tent and artist demonstrations throughout the weekend. Add to that a day of biking with local legends Dave Wiens and Doug Bradbury, handcrafted cocktails from Colorado’s hottest distilleries and a special Farm To Table dinner in Mt. Crested Butte and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable summer weekend in Crested Butte!

1-800-412-7310. To learn more about the arts festival, visit crestedbutteartsfestival.com.