12th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

When: July 28–29 / Where: Sloan’s Lake Park, Denver

Watch as 48 teams compete in a 250-meter race paddling as fast as they can down the lake. The festival also includes Dragon Land for the young ones, breakdancing for the teens and countless exhibits for the whole family.

4th Annual Pagosa Renaissance & Pirate Festival

When: July 20-22, 10 am to 8 pm / Where: Town Park, Pagosa Springs

The only place you can chomp down on a roasted turkey leg while searching for the pirate’s treasure and not look like the crazy person.

Boulder Kinetics

When: July 21, Gates open at 6 a.m., race starts at noon / Where: Union Reservoir, Longmont

Who wouldn’t want to watch some Colorado crazies dress up in ridiculous outfits while riding a man-made makeshift contraption through the reservoir? No one, that’s who. This is a Boulder-area classic, and it’s not one to miss.

Boulder International Fringe Festival

When: Aug. 15–26 / Where: Coffee shops, libraries, churches, art galleries, venues all over the Boulder Downtown area

Started in Scotland, the Fringe Festival is an annual international circus that inspires, pushes, pulls and paralyzes crowds with true independent artistic expression.

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

When: July 9–15 / Where: 818 Red Lady Ave., Crested Butte

Although the name says “Wildflower,” don’t worry, flowers aren’t the only things growing at this festival. Take a break from petals to pick from 80 different hikes, cooking classes or garden tours.

Shroomfest 2012

When: Aug. 16–19 / Where: various venues, Telluride

Do you feel like this summer is missing something? Care to shroom out? Shroomfest is a four-day festival dedicated to the mysterious mushroom and what makes it great for medicine, food and everything in between.

LEGO-rado

When: May 28–Aug. 1 / Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver

A 700-foot Colorado-inspired Lego display is taking over the new History Colorado Center with a winding train track and four themed sections.

The post Not your typical summer festivals appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.