This year, Winter Park is host to not one but two motorcycle anchored events and on the same weekend! The Salute to American Veterans Rally and the 103.5 the FOX Hawgfest!

The Veterans Rally will be taking place downtown Winter Park from Friday August 15- Sunday August 17. Merchants will be lining Main Street selling everything from belt buckles to leather chaps and everything in between. The big parade will be on Saturday morning and start with the motorcycle brigade followed by floats, marchers and music. The big event is the Rememberance Ceremony held in Hideaway Park with speakers from the Armed Forces, dedications and ceremonial flyovers. Sunday will host music by Molly Hatchet and more! A traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be displayed at the Fraser Ball fields through the weekend. All activities are free. The Hawg Festival will take place at the base of Winter Park Resort on Saturday and Sunday. Music both days with bands like Tesla, Ted Nugent, War and much more. This event is ticketed-please contact Winter Park Central Reservations for tickets.

We look forward to the action all weekend as well as all of the different motorcycles! It’s really cool to see the streets lined up and down with the variety of makes, models and chrome! And really, it’s not a crazy crowd! We were impressed last year with the respect and honor the attendees with the Veterans Rally handled themselves. Almost all of these folks are Military Personnel, friends and family. It’s more like a reunion than a rally!

If you get a chance come up and check it out- it’s a different event and we encourage diversity!

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life was introduced to Grand County last year and is back this year. Our reservations manager’s family has been touched terribly by cancer and when she found out that the American Cancer Society was trying to start up the Relay for Life in Grand County she couldn’t help but get involved. The inaugural year of the event went well and its second year is shaping up to be much bigger as more and more people get involved. We are also proud to say that the General Manager of Beaver Village Condos, Kristy Meyer, is a team captain and the reservations manager is on her team AND many employees are donating to their fundraising efforts. Beaver Village Condos is also an event Sponsor!

Relay participants help raise money through donations and sponsored “laps” to create awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer. After fundraising, teams then gather at the local High School for a fun-filled event. One person from each team is on the track at all times for 24 hours in a row; all night-because cancer never sleeps. There is a carnival-type setting with activities and games throughout the event; however, the Relay isn’t just about games and walking around the track. It is mostly about remembering those that we have lost and honoring those that battle the disease and are fighting for their lives. There is a lap to honor survivors and a Luminaria ceremony where bags that bear the names of those that we walk for are placed around the track and candles lit to light our way and remind us of why we are there.

If you would like to learn more, particpate or make a donation of ANY size, please visit Relay for Life, American Cancer Society or call Sandy Clem at 970-531-2654.

The event is at the High School in Granby on August 2nd at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come out and see what it is all about. It is sure to be a memorable and beautiful night in the mountains!

A couple years ago, Winter Park Town committed to enhancing a park in downtown that all visitors and locals can enjoy. The park is still under construction as of July 18; but, is due to be finished soon. There is a fun skateboard park with dips, rolls and bowls-plus bench areas to hang out and watch. There is a stage for music and entertainment at the base of a grassy ampitheatre. There is a picnic pavilion and winding walkway around the park. And best for the kids, there is a playground with swings, slides, and climbing nooks. It’s a big deal to the local community to have such a nice area as the anchor to our downtown. From the park, you can walk to all the shops and dining establishments as well as stop by our Visitor Center. Many of Winter Park’s special events and music festivals are held here creating a bustling and fun Main Street that invites everyone to join in. The town’s gardening crew has enhanced the downtown with beautiful hanging baskets, landscaped medians and mini sidewalk gardens. We have come a long way from a dusty little 2 lane highway on your way to somewhere else! Come visit Winter Park and see for yourself! We are only 67 miles from Denver area, a roundtrip you can make on “Less than a tank of gas!”

What a great weekend coming up! Finally, the 4th is a friday for that ever desired 3 day weekend! There’s a lot going on in Winter Park and all of Grand County for the 4th of July- the Run for Independence, High Country Stampede Rodeo, Fireworks on both Friday and Saturday and a pancake breakfast are just a sampling of things to do! So come on up and grab a condo with us at BVC for the whole family, it’s inexpensive and join in on the mountain celebration of the 4th of July!
Our chamber has the entire list of events and then some, see you soon!
The BVC staff!

Not sure where to go for a great dinner? We all highly recommend Hernando’s Pizza at the west end of Winter Park! The pizza and pasta dishes are delicious, plus they have a great beer and wine selection! Got kids? No problem! Crayons and coloring allowed on your own personal dollar bill to leave on the wall! Trust us, wait ’til you see it! We like Hernando’s so much it’s where we have our staff party!!

“Blues From The Top” returns to Winter Park, June 28-29, 2008. This is a truly musical sensation held downtown in Hideaway Park! Hosted by the Grand County Blues Society, the line-up is packed with talent, great music and the fun that only a local event brings! Get the best discounts for lodging and music at Beaver Village Condos. As the Official Lodging Sponsor for the event, stay where the artists stay! Single day tickets only $20 and both days for $38! Ticket rates are valid with lodging at Beaver Village.

Looking for something to do close to home? C’mon, gas is high but we’re only 67 miles from Denver! Explore your own back door by vacationing or taking time away here at home in Colorado! Winter Park is easy to get to and has loads of things to do! We recommend rafting with Adventures in Whitewater- with snow pack at it’s highest in years, this raft season will be at some of the fastest water we can remember! AW offers cruiser rides down the Colorado as well, but for you thrill seekers, this is the time to get out! AW also offers the unique and unusual with wedding packages, soak and float packages (Hot Sulpher Hot Springs), Wine tasting packages, or tailor your own!

Stay at Beaver Village Condos to get in on the action and get a great discount! What you save with us will easily covert the cost to drive up here!!!

Previously hosted by the American Red Cross, the June 2008 Fat Tire Classic will be hosted by the

Winter Park National Sports Center for the Disabled in conjunction with the Red Cross. Visit the Fat Tire Website for more information including registration forms!Previously this event has been a great for families, intermediate-advanced mountain bikers and day hikers. Registration for age groups will be determined on the registration forms. Located at the base of Winter Park, you will find it an easy 1.5 mile ride along the Fraser/Winter Park paved bike trail from Beaver Village Condominiums. Call soon for your reservation as rooms will go fast!Beaver Village Condos offers bike washing stations in each cul-de-sac and also by the Clubhouse for your convenience.

Come make a family event out of it!�