Grand Junction Colorado 2009 Calendar of Events

There's so much to do in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the surrounding communities of Fruita and Palisade. A wide variety of festivals and events occur throughout the year. Be sure to reserve your hotel room early; many of these festivals fill up months in advance.

April
April 25-26, May 16-17
Barrel Into Spring Barrel Tastings

A couple of weekends of self-guided tours, wine tasting and delicious food brought to you by the members of the Grand Valley Winery Association. This is your chance to discover wines in the making and see how your favorites are made.

This self-guided tour includes several participating wineries. Each winery will pair delicious foods with their wines.

April 23-26
Fruita Fat Tire Festival

Join the fun at Colorado's "kickoff" to the mountain bike season in the beautiful red rock country! Visit the shop that started it all - Over the Edge Sports - and join the fun at Civic Center Park in downtown Fruita.

May

May 8-10
Downtown Art and Jazz Festival

Main Street comes alive with jazz music performed by local and national artists, artist demonstrations in a variety of mediums and artists selling beautiful, high-quality work. This three-day festival surrounds the re-installation of Art on the Corner sculptures. A celebration of art and music, this outdoor event features street vendors, live music, extended shopping hours with participating merchants and other fun activities.

Spring Barrel Tasting

Junior College World Series (JUCO)

June

June 25-28
Country Jam USA Music Festival

All star lineup of country music's best performers. Four days of fun in the sun and wild partying.

June 11-Sept. 17
Thursday Farmers' Market Festival

Summertime’s signature event in Grand Junction... The American National Bank Farmers' Market Festival features the freshest produce, high-quality handcrafted items, specialty shops and exciting entertainment! A celebration of Grand Valley harvests, the Farmers’ Market Festival is a weekly community event series drawing an estimated 5,000 visitors per event. Comprised of farmers, artisans, vendors, musicians, and Downtown merchants and restaurants, the festival atmosphere attracts local and regional visitors eager to support local entrepreneurs while meeting old and new friends.

July
Thursday Farmers' Market Festival

July 4
Independence Day Parade

The annual Independence Day Parade will be held at 6pm starting at 9th and Main in Downtown Grand Junction. The parade will travel down Main Street and end at 1st Street.

July 21-28
Mesa Country Fair

Annual celebration of the county, its residents, community and history. The Fair creates an environment that promotes the diversity of the area and features family oriented entertainment, educational opportunities and is a showcase of local products.

August

August 13-16
41st Annual Palisade Peach Festival

Ah, peaches – soft, sweet fruit with enough juice to run down your chin when you bite into one. Come and celebrate the peach with the 41st annual Palisade Peach Festival. The festival kicks off four days of fun-filled, entertaining events and features more than 100 food, art and craft vendors, live music, a children’s area and various culinary activities. And of course, lots of Palisade Peaches.

September

Thursday Farmers' Market Festival

September 11-12
Rock Jam Music Concert

Rock your heart out at this two day outdoor music festival.

September 18-19
Pork 'n' Hops

Sample the best barbecue and brews and enjoy a wide variety of events.

September 17-20

Colorado Mountain Winefest

Wine lovers unite! Thousands make the annual pilgrimage to Palisade to sample an array of Colorado wines and participate in a variety of events including workshops, wine and food pairing events, dueling chefs, grape stomps, winery tours, winemaker competitions, chocolate tasting, golfing, jazz concerts and artisan vendors.

Don’t forget the bike tour of the Valley. This 25-mile bike tour of Colorado’s wine country passes through the vineyards of the Western Slope and gives cyclists and opportunity to see the area’s wineries and fruit orchards. Participants can then attend the Winefest.

September 19
16th Annual Tour of the Vineyards

Come join us for a great great way to celebrate the start of fall, by joining in this bicycle tour of Colorado’s Wine Country. This 25-mile ride through the vineyards of the Western Slope (on paved roads with a few hills) gives cyclists an opportunity to pass by the area’s wineries, as well as acres of fruit orchards, located in the Grand Valley prior to the Colorado Mountain Winefest “Festival in the Park”.

September 26
Downtown Car Show

Main Street rumbles with the sound of hundreds of motors as participants pour into Downtown Grand Junction for the 7th Annual Fuoco Motor Company Downtown Car Show. Hundreds of modern and antique vehicle owners attend the show to enjoy a full schedule of activities, entertainment and demonstrations. Both car owners and spectators from all over the Western United States visit with each other, talk cars, and participate in a friendly competition for great prizes.

September 26-27
Air Show! Western Colorado

Barn stormers, stunt pilots and areal flying formation all in the mild fall weather of the Grand Valley.

October

October 31
Downtown Spooktacular Parade

Downtown Grand Junction becomes the place to be in town for Halloween fun. Dressed from head-to-toe in scary, creative or just plain adorable costumes, kids of all ages fill 6th Street for the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including face painting, entertainment, pumpkin and cookie decorating and a costume parade. This is an event for ages 11 and under.

November

November 27
Downtown Wells Fargo Tree Lighting

In the manner of Times Square, the Wells Fargo Christmas Tree and the rest of Main Street light up to officially kick off the holiday season in Downtown Grand Junction. The tree, located in front of Wells Fargo Bank, 359 Main Street, is lit when Santa arrives to welcome the holiday season and shoppers to Downtown Grand Junction.

December

December 5
Winter Festival

Main Street hums with more acitivty and music as holiday shoppers fill specialty stores searching for gifts and local non-profit organizations line the sidewalks ready to sell hot drinks and tasty snacks to weary buyers and those lined up for the best viewing places for that evening’s Parade of Lights. The Winter Festival begins at 1 p.m. and provides local non-profits with an opportunity to raise money with bake-sale type activities.

December 5
Parade Of Lights

The community gathers on Main Street and celebrates the holiday season with colorful floats, marching bands and Christmas lights. The perfect way to experience some holiday cheer.

December 11, 2009, from 5 – 9 p.m
Spirit Of Christmas Walk

An enchanted evening event, the Spirit of Christmas Walk is a wonderful night of old-fashioned caroling, visits with Santa, shopping and snacking. Dine in any of our fine Downtown restaurants and view the beautiful Holiday Downtown lights and festive window displays. Vote for your favorite window in seven Downtown restaurants.

The Spirit of Christmas Walk features live entertainment on Main Street, a strolling Santa Claus and extended shopping hours with participating merchants who traditionally offer holiday cookies and warm beverages.