For the seventh straight year, the Keystone River Run Village Art Festival is returning to River Run Village with about 100 vendors showcasing a variety of talents and media. 

For the first time in its history, the event will be three days long, rather than just two.

The festival will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. It means there’s more opportunities to see the artists, but also more chances for their best work to be picked up. 

Elizabeth Dashiell, a spokesperson for Howard Alan Events, said she thinks there is absolutely a demand for a third day, and people should make the most of it and show up as early as possible. 

“Keystone River Run Village is such a happening place you have your shops you have your great places to eat, drink, stay. So much fun going on all around the area all the time,” she said. “People come from all over the world and stay there. They’re able to come see not just some of the top local artists works, but also to see some of the top artists in the county while they’re staying there. It’s such a beautiful setting with such exquisite art, a lot of it inspired by the setting in which it’s placed. It makes for a day of inspiration and beauty for the attendees.”

While the duration of the festival grows, the number of vendors will remain the same, right around 100, due to space constraints. Still, the vendors and artists change every year. 

Some are local, and some are traveling to spend a weekend in Summit County. 

Mediums range from fine art photography and paintings, to jewelry and beadwork.

“The diversity of the artists blow my mind,” said Dashiell.

3 other things to do in Summit County

Free live music

Visit the AirStage Summer Après free concert from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the ​​Arts District Campus. This week, the Shaky Hand String Band will treat attendees to American bluegrass covers and originals. 

Breck Create will offer drafts and crafts. Bring a blanket and your well-behaved pup. 

The series continues every Friday evening through Aug. 18, except for July 28.

Take in a theater show

Three shows will grace a stage in Summit County just on Saturday evening. 

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” will take place at 7 p.m. at Breckenridge Theater. Shows will take place every night at 7 p.m. through Sunday, July 30. 

Tickets range from $25 to $45 and can be purchased at BackstageTheatre.org.

Meanwhile, “Head Over Heels” will be showing just this weekend at Theatre SilCo. 

The musical is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 6:40 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets range from $48 to $52 and can be bought at TheSilCo.org/event/head_over_heels/2023-06-28.

Following Saturday’s show, at 9:30 p.m., Theatre SilCo presents Reply All: Improv Comedy Troupe, a show in which audience members prompt the actors. 

Get outside

Go for a guided hike, such as the Golden Horseshoe hike or Gold panning in Lomax Gulch on Friday morning with Breckenridge History. Learn more at BreckHistory.org.

Or enjoy a  guided wildflower hike at the Illinois Creek Trail with a naturalist with the Town of Breckenridge at 10 a.m. on Friday, or at Cucumber Gulch Preserve at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day. Learn more at TownOfBreckenridge.com/live/town-calendar.

Challenge yourself with a trail race at Arapahoe Basin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 23. The race begins at Mountain Goat Plaza and costs $25. Learn more at Store.ArapahoeBasin.com/s/summer/p/trail-run-series

Find more things to do around Summit County at SummitDaily.com/calendar.