Explore a magical ice castle, learn how to snowshoe, taste award-winning chili and sip a variety of beer and wine at the 2nd Annual Estes Park Winter Festival, Martin Luther King Weekend, Jan. 14 through 17, 2011. This family festival partners with the 16th Annual Winter Trails Day held Saturday, Jan. 15 in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a weekend jam packed with events.
New this year is Jess Parrish's Interactive Castle in downtown Bond Park on Saturday and Sunday. While children explore the ice maze, zoom down the snow slide and enjoy a sno cone from the ice luge; adults can watch Jess Parrish create his intricate ice carvings. The castle also includes geo-ices, a money cube, and interactive snow & ice games. The castle is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person, which includes all Bond Park activities* and chili tasting. There is no charge for children under three. Pony and horse carriage rides are an additional $5 per person.
On Saturday evening, watch six hot air balloons glow with light at the "Hot Air Balloon Glow" at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds. This event is weather dependent.
Visit the heated tent in Bond Park and taste selections from Colorado wineries and microbreweries from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. As you choose your favorites, listen to live music from Kelly Aspen, ‘Ol Skool & Mira Conoway and the Dennis Tobias Band. The price is $20 for wine & beer tastings and includes a keepsake commemorative glass. On Saturday, chefs from Estes Park restaurants compete to find out who has the "Best Chili in Estes Park." The following day, amateur cooks must follow Chili Appreciation Society International's (C.A.S.I.) guidelines to compete in the Chili Cook-Off. There are many awards, so don't miss your chance to taste the best chili in town and see for yourself! Those interested in cooking chili or any other Festival questions should contact info@EstesParkWinterFestival.com.
Learn how to snowshoe at the 16th Annual Winter Trails Day, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15 in Rocky Mountain National Park. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., try complimentary snowshoes from your choice of manufacturers (Tubbs, Atlas, MSR, Crescent Moon and more). Receive expert advice on selecting and fitting snowshoes, along with other fun ideas about how to enjoy winter in the mountains. Don't miss the igloo - a crowd favorite.
Participants can attend free informational clinics which include educational stations on winter activity basics, safety techniques, nutrition and hydration tips, essential conditioning exercises and how to dress for winter hiking and camping. The national Winter Trails organization and REI sponsor the free event, however Park entrance fees apply.
Each day at noon (Friday through Monday), take part in a town-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win lodging, retail and restaurant prizes. Pick up clues at the Bond Park Cabin or Estes Park Visitor Center.
Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m., be entertained with ghost stories and cowboy poetry by the fire, at the Historic Crags Lodge while enjoying complimentary hot cocoa, smores and a dessert bar. The Estes Park Wedding Association sponsors this free event.
For $5, take a relaxing horse and carriage ride through downtown Estes Park or have the children take a pony ride during the Bond Park festivities. Those attending also can browse merchandise under the heated tent from local merchants who will be selling art, photographs, jewelry and much more.
Spa, lodging, shopping and restaurant specials will be offered throughout the weekend. As an added bonus, many restaurants including the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, Lonigans Bar & Grill, Chippers Bowling Center and Nicky's offer live entertainment.
Meet, greet and dance to FireFall Acoustic Trio at Marys Lake Lodge on Saturday night. Call 970-586-5958 for ticket prices. Gaze at the planets and stars in Estes Park's crystal clear skies at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evening.
Reserve a morning or afternoon photo tour with Photos by Sandi at www.PhotosbySandi.com. Learn new tips and tricks on how to photograph elk and other wildlife, including Rocky Mountain National Park scenery. Tour Estes Park's art galleries and enjoy hot wassail at every stop. Art Gallery Walk maps are available at the Estes Park Visitor Center and online at www.EstesArts.com.
If you still find time in your weekend schedule, don't forget to enjoy horseback riding at Sombrero Stables, fly fishing along the area's lakes and streams, or a family swim at the Aquatic Center.
For more information about the Estes Park Winter Festival, call 1-800-44-ESTES or visit www.EstesParkWinterFestival.com.
NOTE:
A full schedule of activities follows
Friday, Jan. 14, 2011
What: Cowboy poetry and ghost stories with hot cocoa, smores and dessert bar
When: 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Historic Crags Lodge, 500 Riverside Dr. www.CragsLodge.com
Cost: FREE, Sponsored by Estes Park Wedding Association
What: Aquatic Center Swim Hours www.EstesValleyRecreation.com
When: Friday, 6 to 8 pm and Monday 1 to 3 pm
Where: Estes Park Aquatic Center, 660 Community Drive
Cost: $5 per person
Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 and Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011
What: Observatory star and planet gazing www.AngelsAbove.org
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Estes Park Memorial Observatory, 1600 Manford Ave.
Cost: Free, but a donation of $3 per person is suggested
Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011
What: Winter Trails Day www.WinterTrails.org
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park - Directions available at gate.
Cost: The event is free, however National Park entrance fees apply.
What: Hot Air Balloon Glow
When: Saturday evening
Where: Fairgrounds at Stanley Park, 1209 Manford Ave.
Cost: Free
Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011
What: Interactive Ice Castle with Jess Parrish (www.jessparrish.info) in Bond Park
Ice maze, ice slide, luge sno cones, geoIces, interactive snow and ice games, ice carving, cube ‘o money and more!
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Bond Park, intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenues
Cost: $5 per person per day includes all Bond Park activities* (including chili tasting). No charge for children under three. Add'l. cost for wine/beer tasting and pony & carriage rides.
What: Chili Cook-off in Bond Park
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Inside the heated tent in Bond Park at the intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenue.
Saturday's competition features local restaurants. Sunday's competition is a sanctioned CASI event (Those interested in cooking chili should contact festival organizers at info@EstesParkWinterFestival.com).
Cost: $5 per person per day includes all Bond Park activities including chili tasting). There is no charge for children under three. There is an additional cost for wine and beer tasting and pony & carriage rides.
What: Wine and Beer Tasting in Bond Park
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Inside the heated tent in Bond Park at the intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenues
Cost: *$20 per day for wine/beer tasting, includes a commemorative glass.
*Pony and horse carriage rides add'l. $5 per person
What: Live Music in Bond Park
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Inside the heated tent in Bond Park at the intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenues
Cost: $5 per person per day includes all Bond Park activities* (including chili tasting). No charge for children under three. There is an additional cost for wine/beer tasting and pony & carriage rides.
What: Featuring well-known local merchants and artists in Bond Park
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Inside the heated tent in Bond Park at the intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenues
Cost: $5 per person per day includes all Bond Park activities* (including chili tasting). No charge for children under three. There is an additional cost for wine/beer tasting and pony & carriage rides.
What: Horse and Carriage Rides and Pony Rides at Bond Park and downtown
When: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Bond Park at the intersection of Elkhorn and MacGregor Avenues
Cost: $5 per person
Friday, Sat., Sun. and Mon. (Jan. 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2011)
What: Scavenger Hunt
When: Friday, Jan.14 from Noon - Monday, Jan. 17 or until all hunts are solved
Where: Pick up clues at Bond Park Cabin or Visitor Center
Cost: Free
What: Art Gallery Walk
When: Year round, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Maps available at Estes Park Visitors Center and www.EstesArts.com
Cost: Free
What: Photo Tours - Photos by Sandi
When: Year round 7 - 10 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park
Cost: $35 plus National Park entry fee
Space is limited. Registration with Photos by Sandi is highly recommended. Call 800-705-5446
What: Sledding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing
When: Winter season
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, Hidden Valley
Cost: Park entrance fees apply
What: Horseback Riding
When: Year round, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Sombrero Stables, 1895 Big Thompson Ave.
Cost: $35 for one hour
What: Fly Fishing Tours
When: Year round
Where: Estes Angler, Kirks Fly Shop, Estes Park Mountain Shop and more!
Cost: Varies
What: Wine Tasting at Wineries
When: Year round, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Snowy Peaks Winery, 292 Moraine Ave. and Valley of the Wind Winery, 120 E. Riverside Dr.
Cost: $3 - $5
LIVE EVENING MUSIC THROUGHOUT TOWN, PRICES VARY
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. www.RockInnEstes.com
1675 Highway 66; 970-586-4116
Entertainment Friday, Jan. 14, 8:30 pm. Circus of the Dead: free
Saturday, January 15, 5:30 pm. Live Acoustic Dinner Music: free
Lonigans Bar & Grill. www.Lonigans.com
110 W. Elkhorn Ave.; 970-586-4346
Entertainment Friday, Jan. 14 and Saturday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m: Karaoke: free
Mary's Lake Lodge. www.MarysLakeLodge.com
2625 Marys Lake Road; 970-586-5958
Friday, January 14, 7 p.m at The Tavern, Dick Orleans hosts with Friends of Folk: free
And Grand Room - Remus Tucker Band. Call for Tickets 970-586-5958
Saturday, January 15 at 7 p.m. at The Tavern, Ash Ganley Duo: free
And Grand Room - Firefall $25/Ticket. Call 970-586-5958
Chipper's Lanes: www.ChippersLanes.com
555 S. St. Vrain Ave.; 970-586-8625
Entertainment Saturday, January 15th - Vandelay Industries (Indie Rock Band) 9pm
$4 cover includes 1 game of bowling
Nicky's www.NickysResort.com
1350 Fall River Road; 970-586-5376
Entertainment Friday & Saturday, Jan 14 & 15 at 5 pm by pianist Ray Young: free
