Events of the week around Colorado

Hot springs beers, canyon concerts, ukulele celebrations and more on tap

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Paddling and pints in Pagosa 

The Pints, Pools and Paddles Craft Brew Fest is high on my bucket list of Colorado events. I can’t make it this year, but the festival returns to the Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs on Saturday. 

Attendees can soak in one of 20 geothermal pools and watch the Pagosa Paddle whitewater races from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., then sample craft beer from Colorado, New Mexico and other states from 3 to 6 p.m. 

For extra indulgence, check out a beer, chocolate and cheese tasting at Riff Raff Brewery before the festival on Friday night. And recover on Sunday morning at Motel Soco, where a festival wristband earns a free mimosa or bloody mary with brunch.

Tumbledown Shack at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. | Photo by Backstage Flash

Sunday concerts start at the Mishawaka

Another season of free Sunday afternoon shows starts this week at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue (up Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins). The series opens with Tumbledown Shack at noon Sunday. The concert is free, but parking is very limited at the venue, and the shuttle from Fort Collins costs $10.

Next Saturday, May 17, Head for the Hills will headline the 19th annual Pickin on the Poudre Festival at the Mish. Stillhouse Junkies and Magoo are also on the bill. 

Yheti, Marty Stuart and Yonder Mountain String Band also are on tap at the Mish before the end of May.

Block party in Florence

Florence Brewing Company in (duh!) Florence hosts a block party for its ninth anniversary starting at noon Saturday. Knuckin’ Futz will play from 4 to 7 p.m., and three food trucks will be on hand.  

Ukefest in Denver

Swallow Hill Music hosts its annual ukulele festival on Saturday, with performances and workshops from Daniel Ho, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Feng E., Daniella Katzir and Casey Cormier.

Save the date: Breck Agave Fest

The Breckenridge Agave Fest brings tacos, mezcal and tequila to Main Street Station and The Village at Breckenridge June 27 to 29. Events include a VIP agave pairing dinner on Friday, a grand tasting on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. 

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.