Colorado's Renowned and Under the Radar Festivals Not to Be Missed in 2018

DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - November 30, 2017) - One of the most exciting times to visit Colorado is when its destinations are bustling with festival excitement. Below is a sampling of some of Colorado's renowned and under the radar festivals offered throughout the year. For more information, visit http://www.colorado.com.

Aspen:

You might know about Wintersköl™ (January 11-14, 2018). Aspen's annual four-day celebration features on and off mountain activities, festivals, fireworks, free and nearly free events for the entire family.

But have you heard about the Mac N Cheese Festival (September 8, 2018)? Taking place on Aspen's "Restaurant Row," the 8^th annual Mac N Cheese festival will showcase a sample of the best Mac N Cheese creations in the Aspen area.

Breckenridge:

You might know about the International Snow Sculpture Championships (January 22-29, 2018). The 28^th annual International Snow Sculpture Championships bring snow sculpture artists from around the world to transform 12-foot-tall, 25-ton blocks of snow into sculptures using only hand tools.

But have you heard about Still on the Hill: Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival (2018 October Dates TBD)? Craft spirit enthusiasts can take part in a grand tasting of handcrafted spirits, craft cocktails and artisanal bites along with mixology workshops, historical walking tours, ghost tours and scavenger hunts.

Colorado Springs:

You might know about the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off (September 1-3, 2018). Colorado's largest balloon festival features 50+ pilots taking to the skies, woodcarving and donut eating contests, live entertainment, skydiving demonstrations, balloon rides and much more.

But have you heard about the Bighorn Sheep Festival (February 10, 2018)? Wildlife enthusiasts can look for bighorn sheep through high-powered telescopes and take part in guided nature walks, children's activities and crafts, zoo activities and more.

Denver:

You might know about the Great American Beer Festival (September 20-22, 2018).The Great American Beer Festival is the largest beer festival in the world; and each year, it represents the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served. The festival brings together brewers and diverse beers from across the nation.

But have you heard about Collaboration Fest (March 31, 2018)? Collaboration Fest features brews that are a result of collaborations between two or more breweries from around the world.

Durango:

You might know about the Cowboy Poetry Gathering (October 4-7, 2018). The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a celebration of the rich culture and heritage of the American cowboy. Nationally acclaimed cowboy poets, storytellers and musicians perform both traditional and contemporary poems and songs that tell authentic stories of life in the West.

But have you heard about the San Juan Brewfest (August 25, 2018)? The 20th anniversary of the Four Corners' biggest beer tasting festival will showcase 50 breweries, each highlighting at least two beers.

Eastern Plains:

You might know about the High Plains Snow Goose Festival (February 8-11, 2018). The 16th Annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival takes place in several counties across Colorado's eastern plains. Activities at the festival include guided birding tours, arts and crafts fair, birding workshops and more.

But have you heard about the Annual Spring Farm Festival (May TBD, 2018)?

Taking place at Caramel Apple Farm in Bennett, this event showcases businesses and animal rescues of the eastern plains. Attendees can visit with goats, donkeys, pigs, chickens and those cute alpacas.

Frisco:

You might know about the Colorado BBQ Challenge (June 14-16, 2018). Colorado's longest-running barbeque competition extends more than six blocks on Frisco's Main Street, featuring live music, pig races, kids' activities, a firefighter cook-off, chef demos, a Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey tour and more.

But have you heard about Wassail Days (December 2018 Dates TBD)? Wassail Days is a weeklong celebration of the winter and holiday season and wassail, a traditional warm Old English apple cider. Frisco's Main Street businesses work to perfect their own iterations of this holiday staple.

Leadville:

You might know about the Leadville Skijoring & Crystal Carnival Weekend (March 2-4, 2018). The 2018 Skijoring and Crystal Carnival Weekend hosts the unique sport of skijoring, an action-packed sport where a horse and rider race down snow-packed road pulling a skier, plus mountain bike and Nordic ski races, a paintball biathlon and more.

But have you heard about the Father Dyer Postal Route Ski Race (April 7, 2018)? North America's highest backcountry ski race is a ski mountaineering team race held each April in the Mosquito Range east of Leadville. This challenging course takes racers up three peaks over 12,000′.

Salida:

You might know about the 70th Annual FIBArk Festival (June 14-18, 2018). 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of FIBArk "First in Boating on the Arkansas", the nation's oldest whitewater festival and Salida's signature event. The festival focuses on whitewater boat races and paddlers from around the nation and world come to compete.

But have you heard about the 4th Annual Salida Fiber Fest (September 8-9 2018)? The 4th Annual Salida Fiber Festival will feature 70 fiber vendors and fiber related classes. Fiber Fest is held in Riverside Park, alongside the Arkansas River.

Snowmass:

You might know about the JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience (August 31 - September 2, 2018). The JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience is an open-air extravaganza of popular music taking place at Snowmass Town Park. The festival's past performers have ranged from Stevie Wonder to the Black Eyed Peas.

But have you heard about the Aspen Snowmass Vintage Car Race (September 16-17, 2018)? Watch the sights and sounds of high-octane racing come alive on the streets of Snowmass Village as vintage Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, Mustangs and formula racecars from the 1960s and 1970s fly by.

Steamboat Springs

You might know about Winter Carnival (February 7 - February 11, 2018). Winter Carnival will feature several street events such as the Nordic Dash, street slalom, donkey jumps and the infamous skijoring.

But have you heard about Wild West Air Fest (September 1, 2018)? Every Labor Day weekend, some of the best pilots in the west and nationally renowned performers provide excitement to visitors and locals of Steamboat with thrilling aerobatics and formation flying.