Dandelion Festival
When: Saturday, May 1
Where: Rotary Park
1565 E. 2nd Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Let’s christen the Spring and celebrate the oh so welcome warm season! Together!! After a long and trying year, we are excited to gather (safely) for the 12th annual DandeLion Festival! This is a free, all-ages concert and celebration of nature’s wisdom, of plant medicine, and the ongoing movement for Organic Parks in Durango which seeks to protect the health of our children, pets, people, living local land, wildlife, and precious waterways.
Live music
Local organic food
Dandelion beer garden, brewed by Carver’s
Dance and magic performances
Community Maypole Dance
Healing tent
Kids’ activities
Thrift store
Vendors
Education
Featured sponsors: Prohibition Herb, Albrechta & Albrechta LLC
Durango Flea Market
When: Sundays in May from 8 am to 3 pm
Where: La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
The Durango Flea Market is an open-air market open to the public every Sunday from the first weekend of May through the first weekend of November.
We are only closed during Memorial Day weekend and the second Sunday in August during the La Plata County Fair.
We are conveniently located on North Main Avenue in the La Plata County Fairgrounds parking lot. Plenty of free parking for shoppers! You’ll find great deals on just about everything under the sun: antiques, housewares, clothing & jewelry, toys, sporting goods, food and who knows what else!
Durango Farmers Market
When: Saturday, May 8 at 8 am
Where: 259 W. 9th St.
Cost: Free
The Durango Farmers Market is held every Saturday Morning from the second week in May to the last Saturday in October, 8 am to noon (and 9 am to noon in October) in the parking lot of TBK Bank, located at 259 W. 9th street, across from the City Transit Center. The Transit Center offers free parking on the weekends.
We are a venue for local agriculturalists, artisans, ready-to-eat, value-added, and service vendors to meet and share the fruits of their labor with the community in Durango. We work hard to attract and retain quality vendors who fit into our theme of local production, sustainability, and healthy lifestyles. We also feature a different musician or band each week, with a few dance performances sprinkled into each season. Additionally, the market includes community groups who offer important information and ways to get involved in the local community. We are also very proud to feature young agriculturalists in our Incubator Program, giving them a chance to get their start in local food production.
We require that all agricultural and artisan vendors grow or produce their goods themselves, and hail from our local region which includes the five counties of La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan Colorado, and San Juan New Mexico. This ensures that all foods are fresh and local and all goods are locally produced. Our value-added and ready-to-eat vendors must use as many local ingredients as possible and be locally owned. Our high value for local production ensures all dollars spent at the market support fellow community members and support our local economy.
At the Durango Farmers Market, customers have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their farmers, develop a friendly connection, and learn more about their growing methods. All of our farmers post their growing practices at their booth and are always open to questions. The majority of our producers follow strict organic growing methods and some are USDA Organic Certified.
Durango Shimmy Mob
When: Saturday, May 8 at 10 am
Where: Downtown Durango on Main Ave.
Cost: Varies
The art of belly dance traditionally celebrates the beauty and mystique of being a woman. Local dancers strive to share that message through their benefit performances while giving back to their community.
International Shimmy Mob teams will celebrate World Belly Dance Day on Saturday, May 8, to help raise awareness for domestic violence programs globally and locally. The goal is to focus on prevention and lowering the statistics of abuse. For the past 10 years since its inception, there have been 56 participating countries with 1441 teams and 15,453 team members.
The Durango Shimmy Mob team will support Alternative Horizons again this year. All of the 2021 Shimmy Mob performances are free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted and all proceeds will benefit Alternative Horizons.
Kim Zook, executive director of Alternative Horizons said: “With the help, dedication and hard work of the Shimmy Mob team, Alternative Horizons has continued to provide much-needed advocacy, therapy, educational and support services to victim/survivors of domestic violence in our community.”
This year, the Durango Shimmy Mob team has over 35 registered dancers ranging from novices to professional level. On May 8, Shimmy Mob dance teams from all around the world will be performing the same choreography. In Durango, the Shimmy Mob will be performing a 15-minute show at the following places and times:
10:00, 10:30, 11:00, & 11:30 – Durango Farmers Market
12:00 – D&SNGR Train Station
1:00 – Durango Rug Company
2:00 – Main Mall
3:00 – Durango Craft Spirits
4:00 – Primi Pasta & Wine Bar
“There are truly no words to adequately express Alternative Horizon’s gratitude for the Shimmy Mob’s exceptionally generous support of its domestic violence services and ongoing commitment to our mission of making our community a safer place,” said Zook.
Alternative Horizons is a grassroots organization that began in 1978. Services include a 24-hour hotline, support groups, court advocacy, and education/outreach. All services are free and confidential.
Enotech
When: Tuesday, May 11
Where: Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
764 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Varies
Enotech is a monthly event featuring 5 courses designed by our chef to perfectly complement 5 wines selected by our sommelier and owner, Karen Barger. From appetizer to dessert, guests are led through a journey of flavors, aromas, and the art and science of pairing food and wine.
Chocolate Tastings at Animas Chocolate & Coffee Company
When: Wednesday, May 12 from 1 pm to 2 pm
Where: Animas Chocolate & Coffee Company
920 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
The public is invited to join ACC staff for our chocolate tastings. We discuss the merits of our chocolate and chocolate confections in comparison to our chocolates and chocolate from chocolate makers and chocolatiers from around the world.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
When: Friday, May 14 at 10 am
Where: Durango Public Library
1900 E. 3rd, Durango
Cost: Varies
The first Monthly Sidewalk Book Sale is happening on the north patio of Durango Public Library. This book sale theme is “Mysteries and Histories,” with paperbacks and hardbacks for $1 a pound, cash or check only.
Cindy Coleman Pastel Painting Art Show
When: Friday, May 14 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Animas Chocolate & Coffee Company
920 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Opening reception for this art show is happening on May 14 from 5-7pm, featuring original pastel paintings by local artist Cindy Coleman, with note cards and prints.
Garden Club of Durango Annual Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 15 at 9 am
Where: La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Varies
The Garden Club of Durango Annual Plant Sale is happening, with plants from local and member’s gardens. All proceeds are used to maintain the gardens at Santa Rita Park.
True West Rodeo
When: Saturday, May 15 from 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: 2500 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Varies
True Western Roundup is brought to you by Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and TBK Bank. We are very excited to have come together to bring back the western heritage of Durango for the 2021 rodeo season. True Western Roundup is proud to honor our western roots with broncs, bulls, and wild west entertainment.
D&SNGRR First Train to Silverton
When: Saturday, May 22; times vary
Where: D&SNGRR Station on Main Ave.
Cost: Varies
We’re excited to announce the return of this highly anticipated steam excursion for the 2021 summer season, departing from the Durango Depot! Step back in time and enjoy a leisurely trip to yesteryear aboard a round trip to Silverton, Colorado, a National Historic Landmark steeped in western history. On this train excursion, riders can look forward to experiencing all of the most remarkable sights of our railroad features, such as Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge, and all of the Animas River Gorge, including the spectacular views from the High Line.
iAM Music Fest @ The Distillery
When: Saturday, May 22; starts at 3 pm
Where: Durango Craft Spirits
1120 E. Main Ave., Suite 2, Durango
Cost: $5 to $120+
We are excited to be kicking off our first iAM MUSIC Fest event of the season with Niceness and J-Calvin in downtown Durango at Durango Craft Spirits. We will be transforming their parking lot once again into a pop-up festival style and will once again be featuring two showtimes.
The early show-
Doors: 3pm
Student band: 3:15pm-3:45PM
Niceness: 4pm-4:50PM
J-Calvin: 5:10PM-6PM
The Late Show
Doors: 6:30pm
Student Band: 6:30pm-7PM
J-Calvin: 7:15PM-8:15PM
Niceness: 8:30pm-9:30PM
[Niceness]
Niceness is a familial gathering of vibrantly diverse personalities rallying around personal, socio-political, and environmental issues. Among its ranks include activists, an organic farmer, a life coach, a permaculture designer, a Buddhist bodybuilder champ, two music teachers, an adventurer, an arborist entrepreneur, and a Doctor of Psychology. The Colorado-grown band also has the rare distinction of being fronted by a firebrand female vocalist who oozes shamanistic charisma hypnotizes with seductively stirring vocals and upholds a fierce commitment to “art in action” ethos. “We want people to come to Niceness shows for the quality of the music and our message, and because we have something to say,” Koral affirms.
[J-Calvin]
J-Calvin is a soul-funk-groove band from Durango, Colorado. On New Year’s Eve 2017, the five members of J-Calvin brought their unique and varied musical backgrounds together for the first time. The result was a soul-abducting fusion of authentic lyrics, jazz-influenced harmonies, and Dilla-Inspired beats. On October 20th, 2018 they celebrated the release of their debut album, Heart Glow, to a sold-out crowd headlining the iAM Music Fest and a showcase set at Telluride Jazz Fest. In the band’s first two years they played over 150 shows across the Western United States at some of the area’s finest music venues and festivals. Currently, the group is working on its new concept video and EP “Don’t Stop Me” set to release in 2020. When not performing as J-Calvin, all members dedicate their time as music educators to iAM Music, a 501c3 non-profit music school that helps youth and adults pursue music, cultivates community events, and builds meaningful creative networks.”
Bar D Chuckwagon Opening Day
When: Friday, May 28
Where: 8080 County Road 250, Durango
Cost: Varies
The Bar D Wranglers perform songs of old west cowboys, comedy, and lively instrumentals after supper to entertain the whole family. Open Memorial Day Weekend through September — rain or shine. Supper is at 6:30, Reservations are required.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30
Where: East 2nd and 30th Streets, Durango
Cost: Varies
We hope you have weathered the past year as best possible. It has certainly been a challenging period on many fronts. Here at the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, we are navigating the path forward with the 49th annual event and how we can safely have riders back on the road (
r trail) on Memorial Day weekend May 29th and 30th 2021.We will have a scaled-back version of the McDonald Citizen’s Tour and Coca-Cola Road race with regards to participant numbers compared to years past. How many participants are yet to be determined as the COVID regulations continue to change and fluctuate. Our hope is that by April 15 we will have better guidance for an overall number and can open registration.
2020 registrants will have priority for the 2021 event, but we may not be able to accommodate all that were registered in 2020 for the Road Race/Tour/KOM/QOM. We are developing a lottery process to select 2020 registrants who want to ride in 2021. If a 2020 registrant declines a spot in the 2021 event, we will move to the next person on the lottery list until we have satisfied as many as possible given the numbers we are allowed to have. For those who do not get selected or choose not to attend the 2021 event, they will receive priority for the 2022 Iron Horse Bicycle Classic which will be our 50th Anniversary. The discount we promised for the 2021 event based on the 2020 cancellation will be applied in all cases. Please be aware there is not an automatic rollover from 2020 to 2021. if you are selected for the 2021 event, you will have to complete the registration process.
At the time of registration, you will receive refund policy information if indeed we cancel or scale back the event as we get closer due to COVID challenges or other unforeseen circumstances. Please look for and read those details before you proceed with registration.
Quarter Horse Tour, MTB Race, and La Strada La Plata Gravel Ride
The Quarter Horse Tour to Purgatory, Morehart Murphy Subaru MTB race, and La Strada La Plata gravel ride will also be on the menu. Given the much smaller number of participants in these events, we should be able to accommodate all riders who were registered in 2020. We will satisfy all 2020 registrants first and then if there is additional space we will open it to new registrants. Again, there is not an automatic rollover from 2020 to 2021 and you will have to complete the registration process when it becomes available, all discounts will apply.
For those planning to participate in the mountain bike race please be aware we will be moving the course away from the Downtown Durango area of years past and likely be using trails in the Horse Gulch trail system. We are working out those course details currently.
Virtual Iron Horse Race – New Offering!
We will be offering a virtual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic route and race via RGT/Echelon Racing League on May 29th. We are excited about this addition to our event and will have more information over the course of the spring.
