Gunnison-Crested Butte will showcase hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and rugged recreation on Memorial Day weekend and the days immediately following.  The Gunnison River Festival and River Awareness Week promise to deliver plenty of river fun and learning on August 14^th - 18th, 2008.

The Gunnison River Festival highlights a wide range of outdoor recreation available in the Gunnison Valley.  The Gunnison Whitewater Park’s features were redesigned in the fall of 2007 and will make for great a freestyle kayak and boater cross competition.  We’re expecting big water this year!

Join us Friday night for an artist’s reception themed around a “Celebration of Rivers”.  In conjunction with the festival - River Awareness Week offers hikes, float trips, bird watching trips, talks, and demonstrations for those looking for a different style of “river-related” excursions. 

Other events for “amateur” recreation enthusiasts of all ages are a big focus of this year’s festival with the ever-popular kid’s foamy boat race (an aquatic version of the pine wood derby) and the always hilarious community raft race. In its second year - “Race a Raft” a road race where runners will start at the drop-in point for the Community Raft Race across from Garlic Mike’s on Highway 135 and end at Gunnison Whitewater Park.  The goal is to beat the rafts to the park.

The festivities extend to downtown Gunnison’s IOOF Park and the adjacent block of Virginia Avenue where there will be live music, food and refreshments, a kids’ climbing wall and a whole host of other games.  The townie bike race rounds out the day’s downtown events.   Festivities go into the night at Timber’s Sports Bar with the awards ceremony with live music and dancing. For more information visitor our website: www.gunnisonriverfestival.com

River Awareness Week, Various Gunnison Valley Locations, August 14th – 18th

High Country Citizens’ Alliance (HCCA) will host the fourth annual River Awareness Week throughout the Gunnison Valley from May 22 - 27.  The week is held in conjunction with Gunnison River Festival and promotes awareness about the role of rivers in the environment and economy of the Gunnison watershed. 

• August 14 – “State of the Watershed” presentation.  Learn more about the water quality and quantity issues in the Upper Gunnison and how local organizations and agencies are working to protect local waters for future generations of locals and visitors.
• August 16 - All day Saturday, in Gunnison Whitewater Park and downtown Gunnison, check out the Gunnison River Festival organized by Western State College.  HCCA will host a beer garden at the park and share information about the Gunnison River and watershed issues. 
• August 17 –Continue the fun with the second annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off at the Crested Butte Town Park Pavilion from 5 – 8 p.m., with contestants beginning to assemble their dishes at 4 p.m. and food served after 5 p.m.  Wrap up the night with music at the Eldo, with doors opening at 8 p.m. Cost $7. 
• August 18 - Start your Monday right with a bird watching tour with the Audubon Society at 8 a.m.  Visit the restored Peanut Mine site and learn how this community organized mine cleanup has protected local rivers.
• August 18 - Learn about water quality in Coal Creek with hands on demonstrations by the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition - 9 a.m.  At 2 p.m., hike to the Standard Mine and hear about the Environmental Protection (EPA) Agency’s progress to clean up the Standard Mine Superfund site. 

Stay tuned for workshops being held throughout the week by local sponsors and more detailed information by visiting www.hccaonline.org or call (970) 349-7104.  Proceeds from all River Awareness Week events benefit HCCA’s work to protect and restore the waters of the Upper Gunnison River Basin.