Spring is almost here! Is it just us or is this the most exciting season of the year? It typically means longer days, more sunshine, blooming flowers and warmer temperatures — essentially, more reasons to spend time outdoors. And after an entire year with COVID restrictions and more time spent at home, we’re more eager than ever to get outside.
If you live in Fort Collins, spring also means plenty of exciting events — celebrating everything from craft beer to local music. And this year, many events are carrying on in creative ways — including virtual and socially distanced options. Mark your calendars for these exciting spring events in Fort Collins, including wine and beer festivals, musicals, farmers’ markets, and plenty of 5Ks and races to keep you active.
MARCH
March 12, 2021 | Online
While Wine Fest has been pushed back to August, there’s still an opportunity to support Disabled Resource Services (and sip on locally crafted beverages!) this spring. Join DRS and Wine Fest for the brand new Virtual Beer Fest, which will take place over Zoom on March 12 at 6 p.m. You’ll have the opportunity to sample two beers from three local breweries, Berthoud Brewing Co., Maxline Brewing and Sparge Brewing, and chat with the brewers, who will answer any questions you might have. All proceeds from this event will benefit Disabled Resource Services!
March 13 + 27, April 10 + 24, May 8, 2021 | Foothills Mall
While it’s called the “Winter Farmers’ Market,” this seasonal market extends well into spring — May 8, to be exact! The market has had some exciting changes to their 2020-2021 season, including a new location inside Foothills Mall, a new time and an extended season. Shop from a variety of local vendors on select Saturdays (listed above) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to stock your pantry and fridge with seasonal produce and other locally sourced items. Click here for the market’s policies and procedures for the 2020-2021 season.
March 19–28, 2021 | Online
The ACT Human Rights Film Festival is the only university-produced, international film festival in the Rocky Mountain region that is dedicated to showcasing human rights issues. This year, they are going online over the course of 10 days, showcasing a lineup of inspiring documentaries from around the world.
March 21, 2021 | The Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch
Kick off the season with the Spring Equinox Race, which offers both a half marathon distance and a quick 4-mile run, featuring about a 50/50 mix of paved and dirt country roads. Both races start and finish at The Biergarten, where participants can enjoy post-race food and beverages. Each race will have multiple wave starts of small groups of runners to increase social distancing. Closer to the event, all registered participants will receive an email to choose their start time. Click here to register for either of these races!
APRIL
April 11, 2021 | Spring Canyon Park or Virtual
This fundraising run was created to support the Family Support Services Program, which provides funds for families with kids or family members who have an intellectual or developmental disability or delay. This year, the Flying Pig 5K is operating in a hybrid format, which means you can choose to run in person at Spring Canyon Park or wherever you want. Virtual runners will submit their 5K time by utilizing a run tracking app and in-person runners will meet at the park and run or walk the certified course. Depending on the size of the in-person event, they may set up starting waves to allow for social distancing. Participants are required to wear a mask when they are not running. Register for either virtual or in-person here!
April 22–24, 2021 | Civic Center Park
The Sustainable Living Association is hosting a Virtual Earth Day celebration, which includes three full days of virtual activities, including speakers, music and resources to help you stay connected to the earth. Attendees will find plenty of opportunities to learn more about area nonprofits working on the sustainability issues you care about and how to get involved. Follow along on social media for more details as this event draws near!
April 24, 2021 | Old Town Square
The Old Town Square’s sculpture on loan program rotates on an annual basis. The new batch of sculptures will be installed on Saturday, April 24 and will be displayed until April 2022! This locally juried show allows visitors to vote for their favorite sculpture using a QR code displayed on a podium in the square and via brochures distributed at downtown businesses. Plus, all sculptures are for sale, and proceeds go towards supporting these talented sculptors, while 10% is reinvested into the Sculpture in the Square program. Plus, a stipend of $1,000 is awarded to the People’s Choice winner!
April 24 + 25, 2021 | The Lincoln Center
After closures and postponement throughout the 2020-21 season at The Lincoln Center, we are excited to return to this beloved local theater! Their 2021 spring production is Alice in Wonderland. Join Alice as she follows the White Rabbit into a magical world filled with fantastical characters, like the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts. Visit the Lincoln Center website for tickets and more information as the production draws near.
MAY
May 1, 4 + 6 | Online
Audubon Rockies and researchers at Colorado State University are collaborating to provide this exciting series of Habitat Hero workshops specifically focused on native plant outreach. During this virtual event, attendees will learn how to get involved and grow their skills and confidence in planting native plants — and encouraging others to do the same! Participants will also receive several different $10 coupons for themselves and friends to get a discount on native plants at participating nurseries. This event is free and open to gardeners of all skill levels. See all dates for this event (and register!) here.
Gardens on Spring Creek Spring Plant Sale
May 6–17, 2021 | Online
After a successful online plant sale in 2020, the Gardens on Spring Creek is hosting its annual Spring Plant Sale virtually once again in 2021. The member presale opens on Tuesday, May 4 at noon and the public sale opens on Thursday, May 6 at noon. The sale extends all the way to Monday, May 17, with curbside pickups between May 12–May 22!
May 30, 2021 | Various Locations Throughout Northern Colorado
Photo Courtesy of Compelling Images Photography via Realities for Children
Held during Memorial Day weekend for the past 19 years, the Realities Ride & Rally celebrates and honors those who gave their all to defend our freedom. The family-friendly rally is operating in a new COVID-friendly format this year. Instead of a two-day rally, riders will rotate through a five-stop ride, where each stop will be set up as its own rally, with live music, food, a beer tent, vendors and other forms of entertainment. All riders and passengers will have to pre-register and will be assigned a starting location. But one thing hasn’t changed — this event hosts the World’s Largest Poker Run (Guinness Book of World Records, 2013). And proceeds support Realities for Children, a non-profit that meets the needs of children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. For details about this action-packed event, click here.
May 30, 2021 | Edora Pool & Ice Center
The name says it all; this triathlon is both epic and mini! And it’s a great opportunity for athletes of all levels to test their skills on a shortened course that explores Fort Collins via a 10-mile bike ride, a 2-mile run, and a 450-meter swim. All race participants will take home a t-shirt, a finisher medal and a swag bag, and you’ll get to celebrate with food and drinks at the post-race party. Click here for more information and registration.
May 31, 2021 | Spring Canyon Park + Virtual
The 42nd Annual Colorado Run is taking place on Memorial Day, with the option to participate in person or virtually. The beautiful 10K course starts at Cottonwood Glen Park and runs along the scenic Horsetooth Reservoir. Participants have the option to make the course a “ruck” run, in which they carry a weighted pack along the 10K distance. And there will also be a 2-mile cross-country race option traveling through the park on dirt trails and through grassy fields. If you’d rather compete on your own course and your own schedule, you can participate in the Colorado Run 10K, 5K or 2-mile races virtually during the month of May! For more information and registration, click here. Proceeds from the event will benefit Veterans Plaza, which is dedicated to all U.S veterans who have served, are serving and will serve in the future.
JUNE
June 5–6, 2021 | Washington Park
Say farewell to spring and welcome summer at Taste of Fort Collins, a festival focused on music, food, drink and fun. The festival showcases local tastes from some of our favorite Northern Colorado eateries as well as musical performances from national and touring bands, non-alcoholic beverages, craft beer from Odell Brewing Co. and New Belgium Brewing, cocktails from Mystic Mountain Distillery, and more. This year, headliners include Collective Soul and Spin Doctors! Proceeds from Taste of Fort Collins help support the Fort Collins Eyeopeners Kiwanis Club. Click here for information about the event’s COVID policies.
June 11 + 12, 2021 | Edora Pool Ice Center
The Spring Spectacular Ice Show features more than 150 Northern Colorado skaters ranging from beginners to national competitors. The two-hour show is divided into four 25-minute performances featuring guest appearances from nationally acclaimed guest skaters! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Happy Spring!
What spring events in Fort Collins are on your calendar every year? Let us know in the comments below!
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