Twice the reasons to visit Colorado Springs and Durango, and more fun
By Steve Graham
Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado, mostly focusing outside of Denver, to help everyone enjoy the entire state. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.
Animas Valley Balloon Rally
Durango will be lit up Friday night with the Downtown Balloon Glow, which kicks off the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. Attendees can meet the pilots and get up close to the balloons.
Early on Saturday and Sunday, the balloons inflate and take flight in a mass ascension. Free tethered balloon rides also will be available, and the balloon glow repeats on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Youth Arts Festival and Makers Market
Between balloon events on Saturday, check out the free Youth Arts Festival and Makers Market in Durango from 1 to 4 p.m. The market showcases the art, goods and services of young artists and entrepreneurs between the ages of 8 and 18. The event also includes a variety of hands-on art stations, a community mural project, writer’s workshop and musical improv shows.
Colorado Springs Distillery Week
On the heels of the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, Colorado Springs will showcase its distilleries during its distillery week, which is currently ongoing.
A cocktail competition comes to 1350 Distilling on Thursday. The Axe and the Oak hosts a whiskey and cigar pairing on Friday. And the weeklong event culminates in a Sunday festival at the Carter Payne event space, with more than 80 spirits, a cigar trailer and live music.
Pumpkins in the Park
For more family-oriented fun in the Pikes Peak area, Old Colorado City hosts a fall festival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Events in Bancroft Park include live music and dance performances, pumpkin painting, balloon animals, face painting and crafts. The festival also includes a cocktail and mocktail contest, and a scarecrow contest.
Pumpkin auction fundraiser
Riff Raff Brewing in Pagosa Springs hosts its third annual pumpkin auction from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. Professional artists in the area will display and auction off pumpkin art throughout the building. Proceeds support the local animal shelter, and costumes are encouraged.
As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.