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This summer’s top events in Frisco, Colorado

Mark your calendar for these not-to-miss events

July Fourth Fireworks in Frisco.
Todd Powell

As many Summit County residents will tell you, they came here for the winters but stayed for the summers. Summertime in Summit County is the time of year to get down to live music, savor an outdoor barbecue or hit an adrenaline-pumping mountain bike trail. While there are enough activities to enjoy at your leisure, you should also mark your calendars if you happen to find yourself in town during the following five events.

1. Fourth of July

Families and friends dressed in red, white and blue line Frisco’s Main Street every Fourth of July for one of the best small-town events of the year. The morning kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the old community center hosted by Team Summit, followed by the Kids Fishing Derby at Meadow Creek Park benefitting Trout Unlimited.

“We have wonderful Trout Unlimited volunteers all around the pond helping kids,” says Vanessa Agee, the Town of Frisco’s marketing and communications director. “It’s adorable, small-town Americana.” The town’s Fabulous Fourth of July Parade follows, which features an adult marching band, equestrian riders, convertible cars and much more.

Two more free concerts round out the day followed by fireworks over Dillon Reservoir, launched by Lake Dillon Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Berino.

2. Fall Fest, Sept. 9-10

From traditional German brew to local dishes to authentic, regional art, Frisco’s Fall Fest offers satiating variety for locals and visitors. A benefit for Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, Fall Fest is a dog-friendly event along Main Street with affordable art for sale, live music, children’s activities and a beer garden featuring Hofbräu, a Bavarian classic beer. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Frisco restaurants will provide samplings of their favorite dishes under one big tasting tent. On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., local and regional artists will be on hand for the Meet the Artists art show.

3. Colorado BBQ Challenge, June 15-17

An officially sanctioned BBQ event can mean only one thing: these cooks take their BBQ seriously. That leaves all the fun for the attendees who can drink beer and enjoy the tasty creations from both professional and amateur chefs. The BBQ Challenge is in its 24th year and will feature more than 70 BBQers this year, plus live music, pig races and a firefighter cook-off.

Anyone looking to partake in the eating with less guilt should check out the Bacon Burner 6K run, a 3.8-mile race on the Frisco Recreational Path with bacon aid stations. That’s right — runners stop for bacon samples all along the route. The race is open to the first 400 racers to register.

4. Thursday night concert series, June 22 to Aug. 17

A quintessential Frisco summer experience includes a Thursday night concert. The free shows happen every Thursday from mid-June to mid-August and feature live bands, with proceeds from food and beverage sales benefitting a different nonprofit organization each week.

The concerts are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Frisco’s Historic Park Gazebo & Lawn.

5. Run the Rockies running series, June through August

For those looking to get their heart rates up this summer, there are running events for all ages under the Run the Rockies series.

Runners looking for variety and breathtaking views shouldn’t miss the Run the Rockies Trail 10K and half marathon on Aug. 12. The races explore the Frisco Peninsula with views of Lake Dillon, the Gore Range and the Ten Mile Range.

As part of the race series, there’s also a triathlon with a twist: instead of swimming, racers use standup paddleboards for three kilometers on Lake Dillon, followed by 12 kilometers of mountain biking and a 5k trail run. 

Town of Frisco, 1 Main Street, Frisco, (800) 424-1554, http://www.townoffrisco.com

By Lauren Glendenning | brought to you by the Town of Frisco


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