Summer (almost) Weekend

The calendar still says spring but our Gunnison activities are geared up for the summer season!
The highly successful Gunnison Growler biking events, the Sage Burner Running Races the funky townie takeover and the Gran Fondo to Mt. Crested Butte heralded the start of the summer tourist season last weekend.  The downtown businesses saw a lively weekend with their annual summer sidewalk sales.

And although you may need to batten down the hatches, small children and your pet poodle due to this late springtime wind, this weekend is shaping up to be great Gunnison summertime adventure. 


kayaking the Gunnison



Biking at Hartman Rocks

The kids are officially out of school today, so channel some of their energy and take a hike, fish on the river or Blue Mesa, paddle your duckies or kayaks at the Gunnison Whitewater Park (remember your pfd!), ride the mountain bikes on the fabulous trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area or the sublime trails on the VanTuyl Ranch (wear your helmet), visit the history-packed Gunnison Pioneer Museum (don't forget to ring the locomotive bell) and then take a relaxing swim at the Gunnison Community Center's Aquatics Center.

Satuday morning at 10am, head over to Jorgensen Park on East Tomichi Avenue, and have the kids participate in the FREE Youth Fishing Derby and Outdoor Sports Expo.  There's a safe shooting BB Gun Range, Smokey Bear, Wildlife Identification, an Archery Range and exhibits on wildlife and outdoor sports. Catch a lunker trout in PacMan Pond.  Fishing poles are provided or bring your favorite pole with you.   

At noon, get on over to the Gunnison City Shops at 1100 W. Virginia Avnue, for the City's Bike Auction.  It is a silent auction, so select the bike you want and write your bid on the appropriate bid sheet.  The auction closes promptly at 1pm.  No late bids!  You may find your new bike treasure among all of these unclaimed bicycles. Remember and register it with the Gunnison PD so it can be returned to you if you lose it!   


Sundays at 6 Concert at Legion Park

And to end the weekend, take your blanket, camp chair and picnic supper to Legion Park for the  Gunnison Arts Center's first of the summer "Sundays at 6" Concerts.  The Beatles Tribute Band  "Doctor Robert" will be starting off this summer's community concert series.  Kick back, meet and greet friends, and enjoy the retro-music. 

Busy Weekend Ahead

There's a busy spring weekend ahead in Gunnison and the weather is predicted to be FINE!
Start your weekend off this evening with the 1st Friday Gallery Crawl in downtown Gunnison. The Gunnison High School Senior Excellence Art Exhibit is showing at the Gunnison Arts Center. After viewing these young artists' fantastic work, head north on Main Street to the Gunnison Gallery. View the displays, enjoy some music and munchies, and then select and vote for your favorite USA Pro Cycling Challenge "Gunnison Queen Stage " Commemorative Poster. There will be several, locally created posters for you to consider. After voting for a poster be sure and stop by the other interesting Galleries participating in hosting artwork for the Gallery Crawl. These are Rocky Mountain Frames, Mochas, and the Brick Cellar. After viewing the art, select one of Gunnison's fine restaurants, bistros or brewpubs for some delicious dinner.
Saturday, head over to the Gunnison Community Center at 11:30am for the Annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt known as "Eggquatics". See the blog post below for additional information.
Happy Easter on Sunday! Local churches are conducting Easter Sunday services and many of Gunnison's restuarants will be hosting yummy Easter breakfasts and brunches.
One last ski day! Crested Butte Mountain Resort will be closing for the season on Sunday and is hosting a lot of fun activities. Sunday evening, head over to the WSC College Center North Ballroom for the showings of the films "The Greenhorns" and "Truck Farm". These films are being sponsored by the Mountain Roots Food Project.
If you don't want to be inside this fine spring wekend, hit the trails on your bike or on foot. The City-owned Van Tuyl Ranch trails are open to bicycle and foot traffic. No motorized vehicles are allowed and all dogs must be leashed on the trails - woof! Also open are the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area Trails located north of the powerlines. The area south of the powerline is CLOSED to protect the Gunnison Sage Grouse nesting areas. Please respect these closures. The Gunnison River is also open. Hit the water in your raft, canoe or kayak from the North Highway 135 bridges to the Gunnison Whitewater Park west of town. If you want to fish, Blue Mesa Reservoir is also largely free of ice. Ice still covers the Elk Creek Marina Canyon area. Remember and follow the National Park Service rules for launching any boats. Information can be found on their website. http://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm
Have a great Gunnison Weekend!

Summer is Finally Here!

It was a glorious, busy summer weekend in Gunnison. Friday night kicked off with great live music on the Gunnison Arts Center patio. This was followed by many with a delicious dinner at one of Gunnison's fantastic restaurants, bistros, wine bars and brew pubs.

Friday and Saturday night had awesome clear-sky viewing at the Gunnison Valley Observatory, located south of Gunnison on Gold Basin Road. A tour of the solar system took place with a special visit to the planet Saturn. The Observatory is open every Friday and Saturday night for public night sky viewing.

Saturday morning dawned with clear, sunny skies. The Gunnison River Festival kicked off at the Gunnison Whitewater Park, just west of the City limits, with opening remarks from City Councilor Bill Nesbitt and other dignitaries. Food and product vendors were set up providing great food and information on watersports. Many wet and wild competitions were held during the day. One of the newest sports is Stand Up Paddling (SUP) where the rider stands up and "surfs" the river on a surf board with a paddle. The freestyle competition featured many local and out of town water athletes competing with awesome maneuvers on the river's waves. Downriver competitions and events filled out the weekend on Sunday morning on the upper and lower Taylor River. Closing ceremonies took place at the Almont Resort. A great time was had by participants and spectators alike! Many thanks to the sponsors and volunteers of this fun event.

Saturday morning saw opening day of the annual Gunnison Farmers' Market. The market, featuring local produce, crafts, music and baked goods, takes place every Saturday morning through mid-October. The Market is located on the 100 Block of East Virginia by the IOOF Park.

The weekend ended with some "locally-grown" music at the Arts Center's "Sundays at 6" event at Legion Park. A festive crowd enjoyed music ranging from Waylon Jennins to Jethro Tull to "Funkytown"! Many enjoyed a picnic supper or barbeque along with the music. Gunnison - it's a great place to be!