2018 Fourth of July in Durango

Durango knows how to do holidays. Most of the time there’s costumes, and there’s almost always a parade — sometimes on Main Avenue, sometimes on the Animas River, sometimes both. But the Fourth of July in Durango involves the best of the best of all holidays: pancakes, parades, costumes, concerts, fireworks and a big, ol’ street dance (except no Santa and no trick-or-treating). So here’s your guide to having the best July 4 in Durango:

Breakfast and Fun Run

Eating and jogging? Don’t worry; there’s plenty of time to digest those pancakes (carb-loading, anyone?) before you set out on the 5k Fun Run/Walk. The All-American Gourmet Breakfast will be served from 7:30-10:30 a.m., and the free all-ages fun run starts at 9 a.m., both at Rotary Park. Arrive by 8:45 a.m. to register for the run. There will also be live music and a reading of historical documents at the park.

July 4 River Parade

Cool off on the Animas River during Mild to Wild Rafting’s 4th of July River Parade! This annual tradition is a parade of rafts filled with crazy-costumed rafters that flows through downtown Durango. The best part is there are five times to either get on the river or watch from the banks: 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Kids get a Fourth of July souvenir, and there’s even a prize for best costume, so be sure to wear your most patriotic getup!

Family Fun Picnic

Next up on the list of things to do for Fourth of FUN? The Family Fun Picnic! Activities kick off at noon at Buckley Park. There, you can listen to readings from our nation’s founding documents, enjoy live entertainment by Cannondolls and Pete Giuliani, and get your fill of killer food and drinks (all proceeds benefit Build Homes for Heroes). There will also be two free concerts at Rotary Park: Southwest Civic Winds’ Concert Band will play at 10:15 a.m. followed by a performance by the Southwest Civic Winds Jaxx Band at 11:30 a.m.

Stars and Stripes Parade

For July 4 in Durango, there’s one event that’s second only to the actual fireworks display to mark the occasion: the annual Stars and Stripes Parade along Main Avenue. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at College Drive and will end at 12th Street.

Street Dance

Immediately after the parade, head over to Main Avenue and 11th for the annual Durango Street Dance. Get you groove on or scoot your boot or whatever kind of dancing (within reason) you want to do during the street dance, which ends just after 9 p.m. Then it’s time for…

Fireworks!

It’s not the Fourth of July in Durango (or anywhere for that matter) without something exploding — preferably fireworks. The show starts at about 9:15 p.m., and you’ll find great views on any downtown cross street facing west.

IndependenTS Week

Not that you’re lacking for things to do in Durango for the Fourth of July, but there’s another type of celebration going on this week: a celebration of our independent businesses. Durango has an amazing community of locally owned businesses that make and sell it all: Breweries tapping their craft beer, artists selling paintings, sculptures and jewelry, chocolatiers selling artisanal chocolates, local wineries pouring their special blends — we could go on and on.

Durango Independents Week will run July 1-7 to celebrate Durango’s spirit of entrepreneurship and community. Local First, a nonprofit that serves local, independent businesses in La Plata County, is the organization behind the local Independents Week as part of the larger, nationwide movement to “recognize the importance of economic democracy and community self-determination.”

So how to you participate? Pick up a Local First Passport on Saturday, June 30, at Local First’s booth at the Durango Farmer’s Market, located in the parking lot of the First National Bank of Durango, or anytime between July 1-7 at Local First, Maria’s Bookshop, Smiley Cafe, ACE Kroegers Hardware, Sante, Wagon Wheel Liquor, Animas Trading Co., Urban Market, The Durango Welcome Center, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, Salt 360 Float Studio, The Soup Palette, the Spaaah Shop or the La Plata County Humane Society.

For every purchase you make, you get a stamp, and for every five stamps you collect, you’ll be entered to win one of the awesome prizes! Passports must be submitted by Monday, July 9, and winners will be chosen on Wednesday, July 11.

The week of July 4 is the perfect time to visit Durango. Clearly, we have a lot of fun stuff happening, plus all the usual great summer activities: tubing on the Animas, mountain biking, hiking, you name it.

Speaking of supporting local businesses, the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites is under new, local ownership! If you’re looking at Durango hotels for your trip, stay with us! We’re consistently rated one of the best hotels in Durango, so book your room at the Econo Lodge Durango today!

2018 Animas River Days

Animasriverdays.com

In 1880, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad chose a site on the banks of the Animas River for its depot, and the rest, as they say, is history. The city grew up around the river and still hugs its shores today, so what could be more Durango than a festival celebrating it?

Animas River Days takes place Saturday, June 2, and celebrates the river and Durango’s love of it. It all began when local paddling legend Nancy Wiley put on the first whitewater rodeo in Durango in 1983. Over the years, Animas River Days has drawn world-class paddlers and water pros from all around the world. The city’s famed whitewater park opened in 2014 and in four short years has hosted national competitions, including the U.S. National team trials for freestyle, slalom, and wild water events as well as the U.S. National Championships in slalom and open canoe slalom.

The festival takes place at Santa Rita Park, where the city’s whitewater park makes for perfect kayaking, canoeing, rafting, surfing and paddleboarding competitions as well as an inflatable floatie rodeo and — everyone’s favorite — a river parade.

River-lovers and fun-seekers can enjoy food and vendor booths, a beer garden and kids’ activities all day long.

Thursday, May 31

The 35th annual Animas River Days kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 31, with the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at Animas City Theater. Tickets are $15 and available at 4Corners Riversports and the film festival includes free prizes, food and drink!

Saturday, June 2

The main event takes place Saturday, June 2, at Santa Rita Park on the banks of the Animas River at 2700 Main Ave.

• 8:30-10:30 a.m. — Kayak and Canoe Slalom, Sponsored by Durango Whitewater
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. — Expert SURF/SUP Competition (Wave TBD), Sponsored by Badfish
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Smelter Smackdown Raft Slalom, Sponsored by the Animas Amazons
• Noon — Ska Beer Garden and Toast Mobile Lounge Open, No outside alcohol allowed, no dogs allowed
• 12:45-1:30 p.m. — Junior Freestyle Kayak
• 1-1:30 p.m. — Inflatable Rodeo, Sponsored by 4Corners Riversports
• 1:45-2:45 p.m. — Boatercross, Sponsored by Ska Brewing
• 2:45-3:30 p.m. — Pro Surf/SUP Competition (Wave TBD), Sponsored by Badfish  *Prelims Friday Night*
• 3-4 p.m. — Expert Freestyle Kayak
• 4-5:30 p.m. — Pro Freestyle Kayak Finals, Sponsored by The Greenery *Prelims Friday Night*
• 6-7:30 p.m. — Parade Viewing Party with ​Posh Josh doing a riverside DJ set
• 10 p.m. — Late Night Party at El Rancho Tavern featuring the jams of J-Calvin’s Funk Express. Get your groove on!

Park your kayak and put your feet up at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn & Suites. Our Durango hotel is 2 miles north of Santa Rita Park, and we love a good river parade! Book your room at the Econo Lodge Durango today!

 

2018 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

 

Photo: Scott DW Smith Photography

Which is faster: a train or a bicycle? That was the pressing question between two competitive brothers who raced each other from Durango to Silverton.

In 1971, cycling enthusiast Tom Mayer was living in Durango and loved riding the roads in the area. His brother, Jim, was a brakeman on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. One day they bet a candy bar to see who would reach Silverton first: Tom on his 10-speed or Jim on the Durango train. Jim was surprised to pull into the Silverton station to see Tom waiting for him.

That famous ride birthed Tom’s idea to turn it into a race, and now the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic has been a favorite Durango bike race since 1972. This year will be the 47th year of the classic road race that includes three days of events over Memorial Day weekend:

Friday, May 25, 2018

• 3-7 p.m. — Final Packet Pickup Buckley Park
• Narrow Horse Swim
• 3-8 p.m. — Steamworks Faceplant Party with beer, live music, vendors and bike parade at Buckley Park in downtown Durango
• Iron BMX

Saturday, May 26, 2018

• 7:30 a.m. — Durango Coca-Cola Road Race
• 8 a.m. — McDonald’s Citizens Tour to Silverton
• 8:15 a.m. — Quarter Horse to Purgatory
• MBS King/Queen of Mountain (Road & MTB Omnium)
• 3-7 p.m. — Bike pickup at Durango High School
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Silverton Finish Line Festival will feature a beer garden, food, vendors and racing at Memorial Park in Silverton
• 10 a.m. — Kid’s Treasure Hunt at Memorial Park in Silverton
• 12:30 p.m. — Veterans Memorial Ceremony, Memorial Park in Silverton

Sunday May 27, 2018

• 9 a.m. start — La Strada La Plata Gravel Ride
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (category times vary) — Morehart Murphy Subaru MTB Race
• 8 a.m. (registration) — Sprite Kids Race & Alpine Kids Village
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Alpine Bank Kids Village
• 1-4 p.m. — BP BMX Straight Rhythm
• 5 p.m. — Durango Cyclery Cruiser Crit
• Durango downtown bike festival will include kids festival with fun activities, live music, vendors and racing and copper mug specials around town.

Whether you’re in Durango to compete in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, to support an athlete or simply to enjoy the festivities, stay with us at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn & Suites! We’re one of the best Durango hotels for this event. We’re located only half a mile north of Buckley Park, which is a straight shot on Main Avenue. The Econo Lodge Durango is under new ownership, so come check us out and reserve your room today!

Celebrate Easter in Durango!

Ah, Easter. Eating the ears off your chocolate bunny. Licking the center out of a Cadbury egg. Dying Easter eggs, hunting Easter eggs, cracking open plastic Easter eggs to find jellybeans and chocolate goodies inside. If you’re looking for things to do in Durango to celebrate this Easter, look no further because we rounded up the best Durango Easter happenings for your egg-hunting pleasure!

Ski-Easter at Purgatory Resort

Let’s just say the “SkiEaster” Bunny comes early at Purgatory Resort. Start your Durango Easter celebration early with Ski-Easter at Purgatory Resort, the resort’s own special way to celebrate the day. Ski-Easter kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, with a little kids’ Easter egg hunt on the tubing hill. Children will be divided into appropriate age groups to go find Easter eggs, which the SkiEaster bunny hid all over the hill. (Each group will hunt for different colored eggs to keep it even-Steven.) The event it open to kids of all ages!

New this year is an Easter egg hunt ON THE MOUNTAIN. Crazy, eh? This is a full-on, ski-in egg hunt. Take Lift 1 and head over to Animas City. There you’ll find an Easter egg hunt right in the terrain park. Once you arrive, step out of your skis or snowboard to race each other on foot through the park to find the eggs. Get on Lift 1 no later than 10:55 a.m., then follow Sa’s Psyche or West Fork over to arrive at Animas City in time for the hunt, which starts at 11:15 a.m. sharp.

Other Ski-Easter activities include a ski-through chocolate station from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. thanks for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. Just ski over to the picnic table at the bottom of El Diablo. Durango Joe’s will also be serving up free coffee and cocoa at a special Easter tent on the ski beach, so grab a hot beverage on your way to the lift!

PEANUTS™ The Easter Beagle Express Durango Train

Peanuts The Easter Beagle Express aboard the Durango Train is an annual Durango Easter tradition, and there’s no better way for you to celebrate Easter with your little kiddos. Hop aboard the Peanuts Easter train Saturday, March 31, for the special themed trip to Cascade Canyon. During the ride, attendants will be on board to help children as they enjoy games, crafts, music and prizes. An on-board musician will meander between two Easter-themed passenger cars playing songs and reading the “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” story to the kids.

At Cascade Canyon Wye, everyone can get off the train to take pictures with beloved Peanuts characters. After the train ride, kids can participate in an Easter egg hunt at the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge museum! All Peanuts Easter train passengers will also received a souvenir mug. This Durango train excursion is wildly popular, so make sure you book your tickets today!

Durango Easter Egg Scramble

The annual Durango Easter Egg Scramble is a hugely popular (and free!) event, and this year won’t disappoint. The Easter Egg Scramble will be held at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, March 31, at Smith Sports Complex at 1480 E. Eighth Ave. in Durango. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance to start off the egg hunt for each age group, which will range from toddler to 8-year-olds. Kids can also take pictures with the Easter Bunny! Be sure to bring your basket to carry all your eggs and goodies, but leave your pets at home (pets are not allowed).

If you’ll be visiting Durango over Easter weekend or will be hosting family for the holiday, be sure to book a room (or two or three) with us at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites! Guests rate us among the best hotels in Durango, and we’ll be sure the Easter Bunny knows where to find your room. Book your stay today!

2018 Durango Snowdown

The theme for the 2018 Durango Snowdown is “A Black Tie Affair” — as it should be, considering this year mark’s the 40th anniversary of Colorado’s favorite winter celebration.

Durango Snowdown will be Jan. 31-Feb. 4 and, per usual, will be jam-packed with Snowdown-a-licious activities, nearly all of which are silly, quirky, wacky, crazy and freaky. Just like we like it.

The Snowdown schedule of events is long and varied with activities such as keg cap frisbee golf, cricket darts, snowflake paper art, bicycle roller races, pantyhose bowling, a scavenger hunt, beard competition and more. The list is so long and so cuckoo bananas, we can’t possibly go through it all here, but we can give you some highlights:

Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Wednesday, Jan. 31, Noon-1:45 p.m.

New this year, Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts is an adults-only (but not X-rated) costume fashion show that  showcase why USA Today named Durango the “Worst Dressed Community!” Doors open at 11:15 a.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to start, and the meal will be served at noon. The fashion show begins at 12:30 and ends at 1:40 at which point everyone returns (mostly sober) to their day jobs. Models won’t be the only one in costume; guests should wear their wackiest finest for a chance to win a prize.

Snowdown Parade, Dinner and Firework

Friday, Feb. 2

4 -10 p.m. The Snowdown Parade Dinner will be dished up at the Durango Elks Lodge at 901 E. Second Ave. (entrance is on Ninth Street). Stop by before, during or after the Snowdown parade to fill up on vittles, er, “fine dining” for this black-tie affair. Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad, drinks and a cash bar as well as prizes for the best costume.

6 p.m. — It’s time for the famous Snowdown firework — noteht lack of an “s” because it’s singualar. The solo Snowdown firework will explode around dusk and mark the start of the Snowdown light parade.

6 p.m. — The Snowdown Light Parade marches along Main Avenue from College Drive to 12th Street. Black Tie Affair-themed lighted floats dazzle as they drive down the Main drag, competing for trophies in 10 divisions with special emphasis on the theme and use of lights.

7:30 p.m. — Snowdown Follies is a classic Snowdown staple that will return for the 35th year. This Vaudevillian variety show is always irreverent and eternally funny with local characters performing and providing commentary. The Follies will take the stage simulatenously at two theaters: the Henry Strater Theatre , 699 Main in the Strater Hotel, and at the Durango Arts Center Theatre , 802 E. Second Ave. There will be a cash bar to help ensure the audience likes the show!

Snowdown is a great time to visit Durango. The entire town is buzzing with fun and funny stuff; every which way you turn is another wack-a-doo thing to do. Stay with us at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites while you’re taking in all that Durango Snowdown has to offer! We’re fun and wacky, too, but in only in all the good ways.