Festivals and Outdoor Recreation Make For Tons of Summer Fun in Colorado

(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 19, 2010 ) FORT COLLINS, Colo. Â– Kicking the summer off is the 21st Annual Colorado BrewersÂ’ Festival, June 26 Â– 27. Boasting more microbreweries than any other state in the U.S., Colorado is the king of craft pale ales, wheats and stouts. Fort Collins alone has six breweries throughout the city, including New Belgium and Odell Brewing Company. The Colorado BrewersÂ’ Festival promises Colorado beer, Colorado music, great food and tons of fun. The Downtown Business Association puts on live music all day Â– both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is welcome and sure to enjoy this Fort CollinsÂ’ tradition.

No city is complete without an out-of-this-world Fourth of July celebration. During the day, families can enjoy entertainment in Old Town Square, like live music, a beer garden and arts and craft booths. In the evening there will be free shuttles from downtown to City Park, where visitors can watch the fireworks spectacular. Shuttle will return to downtown after the show Â– giving everyone a safe opportunity to be out and about on the holiday.

In August, travelers can join Fort Collins for a birthday celebration. Approximately 137 years ago Fort Collins was established along the banks of the Cache la Poudre River and this event celebrates the birthday with Northern ColoradoÂ’s largest community festival, Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest. The festival will be held August 20 Â– 22 in the historic downtown. In its 22nd year, this free weekend showcases more than 300 arts, crafts and food booths, Kids' World, KidsÂ’ Music Adventure, childrenÂ’s carnival, two beer gardens, and seven stages of continuous entertainment.

If visitors feel like escaping the festival action for a bit, Fort Collins has plenty of outdoor activities to clear the head or pump up the adrenaline. Countless manicured parks line the streets and the beautiful Cache La Poudre River and the Rockies serve as the backdrop in this charming town of around 125,000 people. Cycling is the preferred mode of transportation in Fort Collins. Casual visitors can borrow cruisers from the local Bike Library and explore Old Town Â– which served as the inspiration for DisneylandÂ’s Main Street. Hike to the top of iconic Horsetooth Rock and look over all of Northern Colorado at 7,256 feet. Travelers looking to up the excitement can take a rafting trip down the roaring whitewater of the Poudre River.

When the day is said and done, visitors have plenty of options for accommodations. Fort Collins and the surrounding area offers up everything from luxury suites to camping sites. There is certainly something for everyone in this friendly city. For a quaint yet very comfortable experience, try one of Fort Collins B&Bs. For families who want a bit of a National Park experience, try a camp spot in Roosevelt National Forest Â– just as gorgeous as a National Park, but without all of the summer crowds.

For more information on this summerÂ’s line up or about Fort Collins itself, visit www.visitftcollins.com or contact Katy Schneider at (970) 232-3846.

Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bur
Hailey McDonald
970-379-9363
Hailey@atmstravelnews.com