Colorado Summer Festivals

There’s a lot to love about summer. Not least on the list is the summer festival circuit, which brings bands through the state by the truck load and more meat on a stick than you can shake…well, a stick at. Sifting through it all can be a challenge, but that’s why I’m here, dear reader. Sit back, grab a highlighter and plan the rest of your volleyball games around this key collection of Colorado summer festivals. Thank me later.

Urban culture
The annual Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods People’s Fair highlights the best in up-and-coming local music acts from around the state, sandwiched between a slew of old timers, all in the shadow of the Capitol building (and Colfax Ave., which is a festival of a different sort on its own merit).
When: June 6–7 Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
Web: peoplesfair.com

Mountain grass jam
This is the 36th year of what’s arguably the world’s most popular bluegrass event: the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. If you love grass (of any sort, really), then you’re here. Some of the headliners include Elvis Costello, Jerry Douglas, David Byrne, Sam Bush and Peter Rowan, and that’s just the tip of the banjo string. Four days of pickin’ and pluckin’. Don’t forget your mandolin.
When: June 18–21 Where: All over Telluride
Web: bluegrass.com/telluride

Big time stuff
Since the loss of the LoDo Music Festival and Lollapalooza, Denver languished in a lack of big-scale traveling music festivals. The Mile High Music Festival more than makes up for both, lighting up The Fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with a blitz of awesome bands. Tool, Widespread Panic and The Fray headline, but the supporting cast includes John Butler, Gogol Bordello, Ani DiFranco, Galactic, India Arie, Buddy Guy, The Wailers and G. Love, just to get the conversation started. It’s pretty much the only reason you’ll ever want to go to
Commerce City.
When: July 18–19 Where: Commerce City
Web: milehighmusicfestival.com

Blues ‘n’ bones
It’s a quick jaunt to Old Town Arvada for the 12th Annual Blues & BBQ Festival, which blends two of the most awesome things ever. Featuring bands like The Lovely and Talented, the Duke Street Kings and Emilio Emilio; and meat stuffs from the best grill masters this side of Memphis.
When: July 19 Where: Old Town Arvada
Web: bluesnbbq.com

More Boulder weirdness
Sure, Boulder’s a strange place to people who don’t get it; even those who do find themselves wandering about in a state of mild amazement half the time. The Boulder Fringe Festival illustrates why. More than 70 artists from down the street to across the world are on hand for this 12-day, 15-venue, 350-show conclave highlighting the works of some of the most unusual people you’ll ever meet.
When: Aug. 14–25 Where: All over downtown Boulder
Web: boulderfringe.com

Backyard Blast
For 12 years, Longmontizens have been celebrating by gathering in Roger’s Grove for Rhythm on the River. This year’s musical lineup is bookended by the Roger’s River Run and performances by the Huitzilopochtli Aztec Dancers and the 2nd Baptist Choir. Longmont’s favorite restaurants will provide the eats while the hot air balloon launch, duck races and world market fill in the blanks.
When: July 10–11 Where: Roger’s Grove, Longmont
Web: ci.longmont.co.us:80/rotr