Estes Park Winter Festival

Beer, Wine, Chili and Ice Fun at the Stanley Fairgrounds, Estes Park, CO!!:
New and fun ice sculptures, interactive activities, carving along with all your favorites…..Ice slide, snow cone luge and money cubes! Also new this year, –an ice rink!!
Come see nationally known headliner Coyote Grace!
Join us at Stanley Fairgrounds in Estes Park at the heated Festival Building! We have outgrown Bond Park and the Festival Tent in just two short years!!!

•    Wine tastings with more than eight Colorado wineries. Taste and buy a bottle if you wish!
•    Beer tastings from Colorado microbreweries.
•    A Chili Cook-Off with local chefs and restaurants. Professional judging and Peoples Choice!
•    Top it off with headliner, Coyote Grace! ‘And CO bands rounding out the sets. Now you have a great way to keep warm, be entertained…all while enjoying the scenic mountain beauty of Estes Park, Colorado.
•    Local merchants displaying and selling their art, photographs, jewelry and so much more!

Explore magical ice, learn how to snowshoe, taste award-winning chili and sip a variety of beer and wine at the 3rd Annual Estes Park Winter Festival, Martin Luther King Weekend, Jan. 13 through 15, 2012. This family festival partners with the 17th Annual Winter Trails Day held Saturday, Jan. 14 in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a weekend jam packed with events.

Jess Parrish returns with his Cool Hand Ice Crew, famous for his carvings all over the country. While children explore the ice sculptures and games, zoom down the snow slide and enjoy a sno cone from the ice luge; adults can watch Jess and his team create his intricate ice carvings. The money cube has been a popular and rewarding activity that returns this year! Festival grounds are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person, which includes all Bond Park activities* and chili tasting. There is no charge for children under age three. *Pony and horse carriage rides add’l. $5 pp. *Ice Skating rink add’l. $1 per skate!

Additional $20 for all you can taste, wine & beer including a keepsake commemorative glass. On Saturday, chefs from CO restaurants compete to find out who has the “Best Chili Coloradan Chili.” The following day, amateur cooks must follow Chili Appreciation Society International’s (C.A.S.I.) guidelines to compete in the Chili Cook-Off. There are many awards, so don’t miss your chance to taste the best chili in town and see for yourself! Those interested in cooking chili or any other Festival questions, please contact info@EstesParkWinterFestival.com. The competition is open to anyone!
Learn how to snowshoe at the 17th Annual Winter Trails Day, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14 in Rocky Mountain National Park. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., try complimentary snowshoes from your choice of manufacturers (Tubbs, Atlas, MSR, Crescent Moon and more). Receive expert advice on selecting and fitting snowshoes, along with other fun ideas about how to enjoy winter in the mountains. Don’t miss the igloo, –a crowd favorite!

Participants can attend free informational clinics which include educational stations on winter activity basics, safety techniques, nutrition and hydration tips, essential conditioning exercises and how to dress for winter hiking and camping. The national Winter Trails organization and REI sponsor the free event, however Park entrance fees apply.

Each day at noon (Friday through Monday), take part in a town-wide scavenger hunt with a chance to win lodging, retail and restaurant prizes. Pick up clues at the Bond Park Cabin or Estes Park Visitor Center.

Friday evening from 7 to 11 p.m., join us for the Estes Park Winter Festival Céilidh Barn Dance at the Festival main heated building. Be entertained with fun and upbeat folk and Irish music that will make you want to kick up your heels! Follow the Caller to learn the steps. We guarantee you will have a blast!
Get some fresh air by the bonfire outside and enjoy ghost stories and cowboy poetry by the fire cocoa and smores. The Estes Park Wedding Association sponsors this event. Free admission and $5 microbrews or wine.

*For $5, take a relaxing horse and carriage ride through downtown Estes Park or have the children take a pony ride during the Bond Park festivities. Those attending also can browse merchandise from local merchants who will be selling art, photographs, jewelry and much more.

Spa, lodging, shopping and restaurant specials will be offered throughout the weekend. As an added bonus, many restaurants including the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, Lonigans Bar & Grill, Chippers Bowling Center and Nicky’s offer live entertainment.

Meet, greet and dance to FireFall Acoustic Trio at Marys Lake Lodge on Saturday night. Contact Marys Lake Lodge for details.

Gaze at the planets and stars in Estes Park’s crystal clear skies at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evening.

Reserve a morning or afternoon photo tour with Photos by Sandi at www.PhotosbySandi.com. Learn new tips and tricks on how to photograph elk and other wildlife, including Rocky Mountain National Park scenery.

Tour Estes Park’s art galleries and enjoy hot wassail at every stop. Art Gallery Walk maps are available at the Estes Park Visitor Center and online at www.EstesArts.com

If you still find time in your weekend schedule, don’t forget to enjoy horseback riding at Sombrero Stables, fly fishing along the area’s lakes and streams, or a family swim at the Aquatic Center.

For more information about the Estes Park Winter Festival, call 1-800-44-ESTES or email info@EstesParkWinterFestival.com

Other Estes Park Winter Festival activities include tours at the Estes Park Observatory, scavenger hunts for lucrative prizes , horse and carriage rides, pony rides, private photo tours, art walk and spa specials.

Come to experience a beautiful winter weekend in Estes Park and also take advantage of lodging discounts, restaurant specials and retail deals. Come stay and play!