Events Near Bailey, Colorado

Fly fishing clinic at Staunton State Park. A beginner session run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers, nine in the morning until one, for anyone who has wanted to try fly fishing and did not know where to start. Registration is required and a park pass gets you in. It is a short drive from the cabin, and a gentler introduction than driving down to the South Platte and working it out alone.

Living History Days at Staunton State Park. The park's annual living history weekend at the old Staunton homestead, ten until two on both days, with period music, tours of the historic cabin, a walk on the Reynolds Gang trail, a talk on the medicinal uses of native plants, and Johnny cakes and lemonade. A hay wagon shuttles people over from the visitor centre, or you can walk in from the Lazy V car park. A park pass is required. The listing comes from the volunteer group that runs it rather than from the park's own events page, so call the park before making a special trip of it.

Fishing clinic at Staunton State Park. The general version of the fly fishing session two days earlier, nine until one, with all equipment provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff and volunteers. Better suited to children and complete beginners than the fly clinic, and it runs the same morning as the living history weekend, so both fit into one visit. A park pass is required and small programs can move, so confirm with the park first.

Bailey Farmers' Market. Ten until two in the yard at Craft Mountain Brewing on Main Street, with produce, local makers and a taproom attached to the car park. It is one of the last dates of the season, so it is worth catching if you are up for the weekend.

Bailey Colorado Car Show. A small local show run by a Bailey organiser who got tired of driving down to the city to see one, nine until two at the Sonic in Conifer. The appeal is that the owners are standing next to their cars and are happy to talk about them. The organiser says two shows are left in the season, this one and a finale the following weekend.

Big Chili Cook-Off. Evergreen's chili competition and music festival at Buchanan Park, ten until five, judged by firefighters and raising money for the mountain fire departments. Three bands, artist stalls and food vendors run alongside the tasting. Tickets are sold through the event's own site, so check prices there before you set off.

Evergreen Oktoberfest. On the ball fields at Buchanan Park, gates at quarter to twelve and the programme noon until four: polka from the Austrian Connection Band, German dance sets, stein hoisting by age group and a costume contest at quarter to four. There is a kids' corner with inflatables, face painting and pony rides, so it is not only a beer garden. Tickets cost more on the day than in advance, and a free shuttle runs from Evergreen Middle School and Bergen Meadow Elementary between half eleven and half four, which is the easier way in.

Bailey Colorado Car Show, season finale. The last show of the year is listed for nine until two at McGraw Park on Wellington Lake Road in Bailey, the historic homestead park the Park County Historical Society looks after. Same organiser as the Conifer show the weekend before. The date and venue come from the community calendar rather than from a post by the organiser, so check their page before setting out.

Taste of Harris Park. The Harris Park Metropolitan District's annual community food event at the Harris Park Community Center, with local vendors and a judged dish competition in several categories. It is a short drive from the cabin and a good look at small-community life along the 285 corridor.

White Duck Basecamp. A first-year outdoor gathering at Rustic Creek Ranch right in Bailey, with live mountain folk music, guided hikes, food trucks, and a Saturday night campfire, plus an optional overnight camping pass with Sunday morning coffee and yoga. Day pass is free, camping is twenty dollars, and advance registration is required. It lands on National Public Lands Day and benefits Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.

Live music at Aspen Peak Cellars. The winery and bistro on US 285 in Bailey has a band on both weekend afternoons, two until five, outside on the barrel stage in the warm months and indoors once the season turns. No cover charge. It is a short drive from the cabin, and the tables with a view of the stage go first, so book one rather than turning up and hoping.

Locals Night at Aspen Peak Cellars. Ten per cent off dine-in tabs after five on a Thursday, five until eight, and the winery is explicit that anyone who turns up in Bailey that evening counts as a local. Quieter than the weekend music and easier to get a table on short notice.

Live music at the Bucksnort Saloon. A hundred-year-old bar wedged into the rocks at Sphinx Park, with music most Saturdays from five until nine and the drive up Pine Valley to reach it as half the reason to go. The schedule does move, and a booked band can turn into an open stage at short notice, so read the band page the same week rather than the month before. Small room, fills early.

Aspen season on Kenosha Pass. Not an event exactly, but the biggest thing on the local calendar. The aspen stands along US 285 at Kenosha Pass turn gold, usually peaking mid to late September, and weekend traffic on the pass gets heavy. Weekday mornings are the quiet way to see it.

Craft market at Kenosha Lodge. The lodge at Grant, at the foot of Kenosha Pass, runs a craft market with local makers most Saturdays from ten until five. It pairs well with carrying on up to the top of the pass afterwards, though the Forest Service site is the place to check current conditions and parking before you go.