Tag: Gilpin County

The best little music fest in the West

by Dave Gibson

Kyle Hollingsworth of popular String Cheese Incident opened this year’s version of NedFest on Friday with his inspired electric keyboard-driven numbers and improvisational jams. To close the evening, Grammy Award-winning bassist Oteil Burbridge celebrated his birthday alongside a formidable cast that included: guitarist John Kadlecik of Dark Star, Rat Dog’s Jay Lane on percussion, and Alfreda Gerald belting out vocals on a par with Aretha Franklin. (more…)

High Country Auxiliary

By Pam Deck

Life is better with this giving organization. Sometimes we assume things just happen and everything just seems to get done. But this “behind the scenes” group knows that is not true. The High Country Auxiliary of Gilpin County is the heart behind things that need doing.  (more…)

Third and Final competition

By Jaclyn Morrow

Peak to Peak Buckle Series completed their third horsemanship competitions to open the 25th Gilpin County Fair. The first two exhibition of horse and rider cooperation were in June and July. Saturday morning, August 19, 2017 was the third and final event. Riders entered into classes of competition as over 40, 18-39, 12-17 and under 11 years of age. Riders earn points for the place they take in five different events, with the grand winner earning the most points in all three events in their age range, to take home the coveted belt buckle. (more…)

Mardi Gras Bulls and Beads Rodeo

By Jaclyn Morrow

The bulls won. None of the more than 30 cowboys and cowgirls stayed on for the full 8 seconds to get points for their efforts at the 2017 Mardi Gras Bulls and Beads Rodeo. Points from these Ford Rodeo Series are accumulated for the grand total winner later this year. The event filled the grand stands, and the extra bleachers near the cowboy entrance where their support crews watched with their dogs and little ones all had high hopes for a safe, great ride. These same cowboys travel and compete in the series of rodeos and encouraging each other to ride their best, and keep the crowd on the edge of their seat. (more…)

Viewing the Great American Solar Eclipse

by Patty Unruh

As everyone knows, unless they were camping under a rock for the past several weeks, this past Monday, August 21, our nation experienced its first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. Dedicated eclipse chasers had efficiently reserved motels and viewing spots months if not years in advance along the path of totality. My family and I found ourselves in North Platte, Nebraska on Monday at 12:54 pm Central Standard Time, gazing with awe at the nearly once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. (more…)

Volunteers make it happen

By Jaclyn Morrow

Gilpin County Fair 2017 found the community enjoying so many ways to have fun together. In true anniversary fashion, for 25 years Gilpin County has had these festivities. The fair gathers folks from all over to share in what we like to do best, have fun. The 25th Anniversary booth folks, overseen by Vickie Nemec, was eager to hear your stories of previous Gilpin County Fairs, including making a video of the memories told. On display was an amazing quilt made from the official t-shirts from each of the 25 years of our fair. This was made by local Gilpin quilters and is truly unique. If you stopped by the booth, you may have picked up souvenirs like the anniversary pin or fidget spinner. (more…)

A Family having Fun

By Jaclyn Morrow

Salida Circus from the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado brought happiness and joy to the Gilpin County Fair. Jacob, Addison and Vea – three volunteer local children, enjoyed watching the performers getting decked out in clown collars, noses, spinning plates, hoops and juggling pins on foot stands to the music of the William Tell Overture. (more…)

Pro Cycling returns to Colorado

by Dave Gibson

From the years 2011 through 2015 the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Bicycle Race rolled through the mountains and brought Coloradoans a professional sport that has long been enjoyed in Europe with race extravaganzas such as the Tour de France. When five years of monetary losses mounted, it was cancelled. There were no races in 2016. Fortunately for bicycle racing fans, in 2017 bike racing has returned to the state with the four-stage Colorado Classic. (more…)