Stimulus Vacation Aid

Gunnison-Crested Butte area service providers, attractions, lodging, restaurants and activities have teamed up to add value and provide wallet-friendly  "stimulus vacation" ideas just for you! Some are completely free! We want you to choose our friendly 1880s Western & Victorian Rocky Mountain towns for your vacation getaway! We provide free options and enticing wallet friendly packages.

FREE CONCERTS

Celebrate Summer Evenings at Free Outdoor Concerts in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Colorado mountain valley rolls out nature's green carpet for three concert series & more

The Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Community Association and art centers in Gunnison and Crested Butte and are rolling out the "green" carpet for free outdoor concerts on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings this summer.  The Crested Butte Music Festival also joins in the fun by offering a patriotic July 4 concert, and Western State College in Gunnison will present two outdoor concerts in June.

SUNDAYS @ 7, Gunnison 

Concerts featuring an eclectic mix of music are presented by the Gunnison Arts Center every Sunday from June 6 - Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.  Held in Legion Park (along Highway 50), concertgoers can enjoy a family atmosphere, cool summer evenings and music by local and visiting musicians.  Picnics, lawn chairs and blankets are prerequisites, and donations are appreciated and are collected at each concert.  There will be no Sundays @ 7 concert on July 4, but the Gunnison Rotary Club will provide free live music at its Independence Day block party in Jorgensen Park.  For more information, contact Gunnison Arts Center at (970) 641-4029 or visit www.gunnisonartscenter.org. 

Western State College - 101^st Army Band & Colorado Brass Band Concerts, Gunnison

There will be two free outdoor concerts at Quigley Band Shell on the Western State College campus this summer.  The 101^st Army Band will perform on June 24 at 7 p.m., and the 36^th annual Western State College - Colorado Brass Band concert will be held on June 25 at 7:30 p.m.  The Colorado Brass Band brings together amateur and professional musicians from throughout the United States for a week of rehearsals that culminates in a public concert.  Some chairs will be provided for both events, but bring a blanket or chair for extra seating.  For more information, call (970) 943-3054.

Alpenglow, Crested Butte

Crested Butte Center for the Arts presents the 17^th annual Alpenglow concert series on Monday evenings, from June 28 - Aug. 16.  Held on the center's outdoor stage (606 6^th St., along Highway 135) , the concerts begin at 5:30 p.m.  The Aug. 16 concert will be held in the park in Crested Butte South, located 8 miles south of Crested Butte.  Pack a picnic or buy tasty treats on-site, bring lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the talents of top-notch entertainers from around the nation.  Check out the center's web site at www.crestedbuttearts.org or call (970) 349-7487 for more information.

July 4^th Concert, Crested Butte

The Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF) will present a free patriotic concert by Alpen Brass on July 4 that begins at 4 p.m. on the Crested Butte Center for the Arts' outdoor stage.  This symphonic brass ensemble includes 12 professional brass musicians and percussionists and has been a resident group of the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs for many years.  Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for an afternoon of red-white-and-blue fun.  Find out more about CBMF's 2010 season at www.crestedbuttemusicfestival.com or call (970) 349-0619.

Live! From Mt. Crested Butte

A free Wednesday evening concert series, "Live! From Mt. Crested Butte," will run from July 7 - Aug. 25, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Presented by the Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Community Association, the series will be held at the Red Lady Stage at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort ski area.  Visit www.livefrommtcb as summer draws near for details or call (970) 349-4769.

EVENTS AND CULTURE

The visual arts are a permanent part of the Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado's unique vibe.  The communities have long celebrated creativity during three major art festivals set against the beauty of the Colorado Rockies: 38^th annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, 37^th annual Gunnison Art in the Park, and 22^nd annual The People's Fair.  There is no admission charge for the festivals or gallery walks. To see the complete 2010 event calendar visit here!

First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music, Gunnison, First Fridays All Year

To kick off each month right, enjoy great art in Gunnison at the First Friday Gallery Crawl & Music from 5 - 7 p.m.  Refreshments, on-site artists and great socializing are highlights.  Call Gunnison Gallery at (970) 641-6111 for participating businesses and more information.

ArtWalk Evenings, Crested Butte, June 24, July 29, August 26 & September 23

To wrap up the month in style, from June to September, Crested Butte's ArtWalk Evenings bring art enthusiasts on a tour of the galleries on the last Thursday evening from 5 - 8 p.m.  Light refreshments, music and on-site artists are featured at many of the locations.  For a list of participating galleries, go to www.awearts.org.  

AWE Fest, Crested Butte July 11 & August 15

The Artists of the West Elks will hold two AWE Fests this summer, showcasing members work in conjunction with the Crested Butte Farmers' Market on two Sundays.  The festivals will be held on Elk Avenue from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  For more information, go to www.awearts.org.

Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters National Show, July 16 - 18

Approximately 50 outdoor landscape painters will be in the Crested Butte area for approximately 10 days to create works of art and participate in a large gallery show at Oh-Be-Joyful Gallery on July 16 - 18.  There will be various events for the public to interact with the artists.  For information, contact Crested Butte's Oh-Be-Joyful Gallery, (970) 349-5936 or visit www.rmpap.org/.  

37^th Annual Gunnison Art in the Park, July 25

Gunnison's Legion Park serves as the backdrop for this annual art extravaganza organized by the local chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW).  On July 25, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., approximately 60 artists will exhibit and sell their creations during this juried event.  Live entertainment, activities for kids, and food and beverage booths also are part of the fun. 

Proceeds from the event benefit AAUW's local scholarship program for nontraditional students attending Western State College in Gunnison; AAUW's national education foundation; and a local project that is selected annually.  For more information, contact Carol Bennett at (970) 641-4230.

38^th Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival, July 31 - August 1 

The Crested Butte Arts Festival (CBAF) is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors.  The festival recently was ranked the 35^th best fine art and fine craft show in the country by the "Arts Fair Sourcebook," the definitive guide to art festivals, and is listed as one of the Harris List's top five fine art and craft shows in Colorado. 

Open-air booths line the three-block center of Crested Butte's National Historic District from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days, featuring 185 artists who are selected through a very competitive jury process.  New this year is a culinary arts demonstration tent. Returning favorites are an art auction, a hands-on "Art Alley" for kids ages 2 - 12, demonstration tent with exhibiting artists demonstrating their craft, culinary court, beer and wine pavilion, and live entertainment.  For more information and a list of exhibitors and performing artists as the festival draws near, call (970) 349-1184 or visit www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com.

High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Gunnison, August 21 

The Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce invites arts and crafts lovers to experience the High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival being held in conjunction with the Gunnison Car Show on Aug. 21.  The festival showcases arts and crafts by approximately 80 artisans from around the region and will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Legion Park, located across the street from Jorgensen Park where the car show will be held.  Great food and fun for the whole family are on tap.  Call (970) 641-1501 or visit www.gunnisonchamber.com.

22^nd Annual The People's Fair, September 4 - 5

The Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend marks the return of The People's Fair in downtown Crested Butte.  Hundreds of locals and visitors will stroll Elk Avenue on Sept. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take in this homespun cultural experience and to soak in the last of the high-country summer.  The People's Fair features an eclectic mix of booths showcasing regional arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques, and preserved foods from local gardens as well as live music, a tasty fair food, and nonprofit organization booths selling books, CDs, baked goods and more.  The festival coincides with the annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale on Elk Avenue, making the day a shopper's delight!  For more information, contact The Paragon Gallery at (970) 349-6484.

RECREATION

Gunnison-Crested Butte is known for being home to some of Colorado's best outdoor recreation all in one great destination! With over 85% of our county being "public lands" this is your playground regardless of where you are from! Epic trails systems for wildflower and wildlife viewing and hiking and mountain biking. Local outfitters will take you out on horseback, too. Abundant lakes, rivers and streams for boating, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting and fly fishing on your own or with a guide service. There's so much more so take a look here!

TRANSPORATION IS FREE!

Colorful Mountain Express buses painted by local artists provide free transportation between Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  The main bus stops are at the visitor center in Crested Butte and the ski area, with several other stops in both Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. 

The Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority offers free bus service between Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte so you can stay at one end of the valley and still have an easy and free way to connect to the other end.

Follow Gunnison-Crested Butte at Our Other Online Locations: