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Grand Junction Fast Facts
Grand Junction Weather
Grand Junction Events
Grand Junction Activities & Attractions
Located 28 miles from the Utah border at the junction of the Colorado & Gunnison Rivers, Grand Junction is an oasis in the desert.
Fast Facts
1) Grand Junction is located in Mesa County which includes the towns of Collbran, De Beque, Fruita and Palisade.
2) The population of the Grand Valley is 135,400 people.
Weather
Summer is mid to high 80's during the day and the nights are cool, mountain weather but it begins earlier and ends later then most mountain resorts in Colorado.
2012 Events
Grand Valley Dressage Society Horse Show, March 17-18, Mesa County Fairgrounds Covered Aren
Paint Horse Show, March 24-25, Mesa County Fairgrounds
Pops: A Tribute to John Denver, March 31, GJHS Auditorium
Grand Junction Horse Show, April 1, Mesa County Fairgrounds Covered Arena
Western Slope Reining Horse Association Show, April 8, Mesa County Fairgrounds Covered Arena
5th Annual RV Show, April 12-14, Mesa County Fairgrounds Main Parking Lot
9th Annual MOG Fest, April 13-14, We're planning the best MOG Fest yet! Outdoor & Cycling Industry Manufacturers, Reps & Retailers.
AKC Agility Dog Show, April 14-15, Mesa County Fairgrounds, Lions Park, Grand Valley Kennel Club Sanctioned match breed, obedience and rally dogs.
Rumble at 18 Road Bike Race, April 14, Fruita, Epic mountain bike Race at 18 Road for all skill levels. Visit ltrsports.com for complete event information, pricing and directions.
Dragon Unchained Renaissance and Pirate Fantasy Faire, April 20-22, 29 Road along the Colorado River, Go back in time with merchants, performers, food and much more. Camping available for a fee for those who want to have a full fair experience.
Extreme Promotions/Super Cross, April 21, Mesa County Fairgrounds Grandstands
11th Annual SouthWest ArborFest, April 21, Lincoln Park, Get your taste buds into action in the chili competition!
Fruita Fat Tire Festival, April 26-29, Fruita, Mountain and desert rides, a bike expo in downtown Fruita at the Civic Center Park, the ever popular beer garden and more! Plus, road rides through Colorado National Monument, over Douglas Pass, and through wine country. www.fruitamountainbike.com
Gold, Gem & Treasure Show, April 28-29, Mesa County Fairgounds Community Building.
18 Hours of Fruita, May 4-6, Fruita www.fruitamountainbike.com
Grand Valley Dressage Horse Show, May 5-6, Mesa County Fairgrounds Covered Arena, Horse Show Presented by the Grand Valley Dressage Society
Downtown Art & Jazz Festival, May 11-13, Downtown Grand Junction, Main Street comes alive Mother's Day Weekend with jazz music performed by local and national artists, artist demonstrations in a variety of mediums and artists selling beautiful, high-quality work. This three-day festival surrounds the installation of Art on the Corner sculptures. A celebration of art and music, this outdoor event features high quality street vendors, live music, extended shopping hours and other fun activities.
Monster Truck Show, May 11-12, Mesa County Fairgrounds Grandstand
7th Annual Gateway Auto Festival, May 12, Gateway Auto Museum, Mothers' Day Weekend Car Show Event!See the cars that inspired a nation to embrace the open road in America and continue to fascinate people of all ages. The seventh annual Gateway Canyons Classic Auto Fest on May 12 will feature over 250 classic and antique cars. The event coincides with the anniversary of the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum, home to the privately owned Hendricks collection of 45 of the most prized classic cars in the country.
Spring Barrel Tasting, May 19-20, Grande River Winery, Palisade, CO
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, May 19-20, Fruita Civic Center
Shrine Circus, May 25-26, Mesa County Fairgrounds 10 am, 8 pm shows gates open 9 am and 6 pm
Advance: Adults $12.00 and children 4-11 are $8.00. Children under 3 are free with an adult. Available at local City Markets. Bring out the kids to see all the animals and watch the show, truly a must-see event for the summer! And you can never have too much cotton candy!
JUCO Baseball World Series, May 26 - June 2, Grand Junction is proud to serve as the host site for this annual baseball tradition. For over 50 years, JUCO has drawn amazing young baseball players full of talent, commitment and enthusiasm. Players, coaches and fans are swept up in thrilling moments of America's favorite pastime.
Grand Mesa Jeep Club's Offroad Show, June 2, Free, Mesa County Fairgrounds, Car show style show for Off road capable machines, including Jeeps, ATVs, etc. Large Swap meet, and Industry vendors.
57th Colorado State Square Dance Festival, June 8-9, Colorado Mesa University Ballroom, "Riverboat Cruisin" Hosted by Colorado West Area Square Dance Council.
Gun Show, June 8-10,Mesa County Fairgrounds Community Building
Palisade Classic Mountain Bike Race, June 9, Rapid Creek Cycles Full Grind Expert Race 8:00 AM. Sport and Beginner Race 10:00 AM, Three Mountain Bike courses for Beginner, Sport and the Full Grand Mesa Grind up the slopes of the Grand Mesa above Palisade. The race has great prizes with beer and a BBQ after the race.
Downtown Farmer's Market Festival, June 14 to September 20, Downtown, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. Farmers Market every Thursday from June 14 through September 20. Over 100 artisians, musicians and food vendors with fresh produce and fruits from the Grand Valley. Held along Grand Junction's Historic Main Street, this event attracts an estimated 5,000 visitors every Thursday.
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival, June 15-17, Riverbend Park,
Country Jam Festival, June 21-24,Enjoy four days of live performances by some of Country music's biggest stars! Numerous food and craft vendors, on-site camping, and more!
Thursday: Chris Young, 7:15 PM; Blake Shelton, 10:00 PM. Friday: Luke Bryan,7:15 PM; Trace Adkins, 10:00 PM. Saturday: LoCash Cowboys, 5:00 PM; To Be Announced, 7:15 PM; Zac Brown Band, 10:00 PM. Sunday: Justin Moore, 5:00 PM; Charlie Daniels Band, 7:00 PM.
2012 Habitat Home Run 5k-10k, June 30, River Front Trail, Early Race Packet pick will be at The ReStore (2936 North Ave.) on June 29th from 6-8pm. Or on race day from 6:30-8:00, race will begin promptly at 8:30.Parking will be at 3043 D Road, at Hoffman Country Village a Habitat Subdivision.
5k $20 pre registered $25 on race day- 10k $30 pre registered and $35 on race day.
This Race is intended to bring awareness to the Mission of Habitat for Humanity: to build Safe, Decent, Affordable housing for all!
DOCNA Dog Show, June 30, Mesa County Fairgrounds Lions Park, Zippy Do Dogs Sports Club DOCNA Show
Independence Day Parade & Fireworks, July 4, Main St., The Grand Old Flag flies high every 4th of July as this annual patriotic parade makes its way down Main Street. Community organizations join together in celebrating our country's independence with colorful floats and costumes of red, white and blue. Fireworks take place at dusk at Lincoln Park.
Colorado Lavender Festival, July 6-8, Celebrate lavender at the 2nd Annual Colorado Lavender Festival! Western Colorado's climate and lean soils provide ideal growing conditions for lavender. At the festival, enjoy booths, food, seminars, demonstrations, speakers, farm tours and more.
Downtown Grand Junction Art Festival & Wine Affair, July 14-15, Downtown Grand Junction, Juried art festival and wine tasting along historic downtown GJ's Main Street. Over two hundred American artists, including several from the Grand Valley, will show and sell in this NEW festival. Colorado wineries will host a tasting tent showcasing the best of the 2011 grape season.
125th Mesa County Fair, July 17-21, Mesa County Fairgrounds, Mesa County Fair showcases everything that is Mesa County from the wine competition, exhibits, demonstrations and 4-H/FFA livestock shows and sale to the carnival, local entertainment and grand stand shows.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, July 21, Avalon Theatre
Palisade Peach Festival, August 16-19, Riverbend Park, Celebration of Palisade's world famous peaches! More information to follow
Rock Jam Music Festival, August 24-25, Two days of live music featuring a star studded lineup of some of the most legendary rockers around! Food and craft vendors, on-site camping, and much more.
11th Annual Western Colorado Senior Games, August 27-31,Many activities including: sports, leisure activities, dancing, swimming, and eveing social. For registration information check the website.
44th Annual Peach Promenade - Square Dance, August 28-29, Mt. Garfield Middle School
Colorado Pork 'n Hops BBQ Challenge, September 8-9, Lincoln Park, Buy barbeque from award-winning cooking teams! Enjoy your favorite mircro brews from aroung the region and listen to some of your favorite local bands!
21st Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest, September 13-16, Riverbend Park, Toast the grape harvest and raise your glass to Colorado's finest vintages at the state's oldest, largest and best wine festival, and the only festival held in the heart of Colorado's wine country. Thousands of wine lovers make the annual pilgrimage to Palisade to sample a growing array of Colorado wines and participate in a variety of events such as winery tours, winemaker competitions, dueling chefs, shopping, jazz concerts, grape stomps, wine and food pairing, hands-on workshops and more!
37th Annual Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals & Parade, September 14-16, Mesa County Fairgounds, Parade Saturday 10 am Downtown GJ. Fri & Sat Gates open 6 pm for 7 pm show, Sun Gates open at noon for 1pm show.
2012 Blue Angels Air Show, September 21-23, Grand Junction Regional Airport,
GV AKC Dog Show, September 29-30, Mesa County Fairgrounds Community Building
Downtown Car Show, September 29, Downtown Grand Junction, Main Street rumbles with the sound of hundreds of motors as participants pour into Downtown Grand Junction for the annual Car Show. Hundreds of modern, antique, and classic vehicle owners attend the show to enjoy a full schedule of activities, entertainment and demonstrations.
31st Annual Oktoberfest, October 6, Downtown
4th Annual RIM ROCK Marathon, November 10, Fruita, 26-mile point-to-point marathon along Rim Rock Drive, starting at east entrance on Monument Road, through the Colorado National Monument, to finish line at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. Up to 400 runners accepted. Spectators, friends & families asked to meet participants at State Park where music and food vendors will be located. Limited access to Monument during run; rolling closure for one direction. Event benefits the Colorado National Monument Association. Register, volunteer or more information at www.ascentproductions.net or call Chris Reed, Ascent Productions, at 970-274-1232.
3rd Annual Grand Valley Cyclocross Series Race 5, December 17, Canyon View Park, Free to watch.Fees: $15 Day of Registration: 8am until 10 minutes prior to start. $10 Online Registration $10 Pre-Register at the LTR Sports Everyone is welcome! Come enjoy a great time in the park, while keeping that bike fitness you have been working so hard on. Don't have a cyclocross bike? No worries, a mountain bike makes a great cyclocross racing bike. Please remove your bar ends.
Powderhorn Ski Resort • Just 40 minutes from Grand Junction, has exceptional valley views and a family friendly atmosphere. • 970.268.5700 www.powderhorn.com
Arts, Culture & Shopping
The centerpiece of downtown Grand Junction is Main Street's tree-lined shopping park that leads you along a string of shops, boutiques, galleries, museums and restaurants, and over 100 outdoor sculptures. 970.245.9697 • www.downtown.gj.org
Colorado National Monument
Steep canyons, towering monoliths, unique rock formations, remains of prehistoric Native American cultures and dinosaur fossils! 970.858.3617 • www.nps.gov
Wineries
The Grand Valley is home to over 18 wineries. For a complete list contact the Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau at 970-244-1480 or log onto www.visitgrandjunction.com
