Flag Day, Monday June 14th, was a patriotic day in Gunnison. The City welcomed the bicyclists participating in the Sea to Shining Sea Bike Ride. Most of the riders are military veterans, many wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. They are a tribute to courage and determination. The City hosted a barbeque at Legion Park and this was followed by a Flag Day Ceremony attended by soldiers from Ft. Carson, including their band members who will be deploying to Iraq in the coming months, the heroic bicyclists, local dignitaries including Mayor Stu Ferguson who presented a proclamation,Gunnison's own "Mrs. Colorado", members of the local American Legion, Elks and VFW organizations, and many, many local citizens who showed their support not only for the visiting athletes but for the flag of our nation.
On Tuesday evening, City Council received a presentation from Colorado Divison of Wildlife Representatives, Tom Speeze, Tony Gurzick and J Wenum, on the proposed CDOW Discovery Center. This hands-on Outdoor Learning Center would be a tremendous asset to the community. The regional representatives will be making a formal presentation at the State Wildlife Commission meeting that will take place on July 8th in Gunnison. In other City news, the roof is on the new covered picnic shelter at Legion Park, the climbing boulder is complete and work is progressing on the new playground structures. A grand opening will take place in July. The Final Draft of the Van Tuyl Master Plan is available on the City website at www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/community_development_planning/ A presentation of the plan will be made to City Council and the Planning Commission on June 29th at 7pm.
This weekend will be a busy one in Gunnison. Over 1,000 bicyclists will arrive in Gunnison on Saturday for the start of the Bike Tour of Colorado. There will be festivities including a beer garden and wine tasting at Jorgensen Park on Saturday evening. The tour leaves Gunnison on Sunday morning and returns the following Saturday. Gunsmoke-in-Gunnison takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Rodeo Grounds. Mounted riders will shoot from horseback. Go out and see this Old West event. There will be public viewing at the Gunnison Valley Observatory on Friday evening starting at 8pm and then the weekend wraps up with music at the Gunnison Arts Center Sundays at 7 at Legion Park. Have a great weekend!
