Festivals of all kinds are coming to towns and venues all over the state

By the Thirst Team

We are proud to be longtime sponsors of the Edgewater Music Festival, a daylong celebration of Colorado music, barbecue and family fun that raises money for Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

We will be at the festival in Citizens’ Park in Edgewater from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday to rock out to the Coveralls, the Substitutes (a local Who tribute band), Erica Brown, the Duke Street Kings, Wild Love Tigress and Graham Good and the Painters (video above).

We are also giving away a staycation at the Ameristar Black Hawk casino and resort. You must be at the festival to enter and win.

Colorado Wine Walk in Fort Collins

The Colorado Wine Walk expands north with the first Fort Collins event on Sunday. Blanchard Family Wines hosts the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Exchange, with unlimited wine samples, wine sales, live music by Randy Maez and more.

Pancho Poncho opens in Denver

Carboy Winery opens a new Mexican restaurant today in Denver’s Governor’s Park neighborhood, next door to the Carboy tasting room. Pancho Poncho promises both classic and creative Mexican food, margaritas, wine-centric cocktails and Mexican-inspired drinks, including a curated tequila and mezcal menu.

Bravo! Vail festival

Two acclaimed mountain music festivals open this week. The Bravo! Vail classical music festival opens Thursday with a performance of Beethoven’s “Eroica” featuring Anne-Marie McDermott on piano. It closes Aug. 1, with Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” In between are an eclectic range of performances in various venues around the Vail Valley. The festival also includes visits by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and more.

Strings Music Festival

The Strings Music Festival opens on Saturday in Steamboat Springs. Coincidentally, the diverse series also opens with Beethoven’s “Eroica.” The Strings Pavillion hosts acclaimed orchestras, as well as a range of popular contemporary artists, including Ben Folds, Melissa Etheridge, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Steep Canyon Rangers.

Ouray International Film Festival

The Ouray International Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, with jury-selected movies, panel discussions, live music and parties. In addition to short films, director Alexandria Bombach will be on hand to present her feature-length documentary about the Indigo Girls. Award-winning filmmaker James Choi will preside over the awards jury and join a producers’ panel.

Whittle the Wood Festival

A three-day chainsaw carving competition and festival comes to Craig Thursday through Saturday. In addition to live tree stump carving, the free event includes live music, a movie in the park and an archery shoot.

Pedal Your Butte Off

The third annual Pedal Your Butte-Off Challenge comes to Crested Butte on Sunday. It is a tour of the town where entrants use their creativity and imagination to build a human-powered wheeled vehicle (no motors of any kind allowed).

All entrants check in at stations along the way to sample local vendor fare and get a challenge passport stamped. The tour ends with live music, beer and food at Town Park. Vehicles and teams will also be judged for creativity, theme, mustaches, and a challenge winner will be crowned.

The event raises money and awareness for mental health services in the area.

Destination of the week: Crested Butte backcountry cabins

If you plan to be in Crested Butte for the event, consider a stay in the new Campfire Ranch backcountry properties near Crested Butte. The luxury cabins have electricity and running water, and are fully furnished, including cookware and other kitchen necessities.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. And enjoy your Colorado craft libations responsibly.