Valentine’s Day is an extra special holiday for the Sweetheart City, home of the Loveland Sweetheart Festival, the Sweetheart Classic, the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, and much more love-centered fun, including a group wedding where you can renew your vows — or even get married!
If you live in or near Loveland — or you’re just passing through — there are several ways to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day. Whether you are dating, engaged, married, or happily single, add these lovely events to your calendar!
Go to the Loveland Sweetheart Festival
The Loveland Sweetheart Festival is the place to be the weekend just before Valentine’s Day. On both Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11, downtown Loveland will come to life with live music, art installations, local beers, interactive activities, and more, all focused on celebrating love! In between four indoor event venues, there is so much to do and see, from a Valentine Flea Art Market to the tunnel of love, and the Foundry community plaza, where you’ll find local performances, food trucks, and kids’ activities. The Arts Alive block will contain interactive art demos, including live ice sculpting, bronze demos, and the Loveland community mural, where you can paint your own tile. Don’t miss the projection mapping light show on the historic Feed and Grain building or the main concerts at the Rialto Theater. There is something for everyone to enjoy on this love-filled weekend — plus, admission is completely free! See all the details about the Loveland Sweetheart Festival here.
Drink a Bleeding Heart Beer from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day in Colorado without a special seasonal beer to celebrate the occasion! Grimm Brothers Brewhouse teamed up with the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and Visit Loveland to create this special beer for the Sweetheart City: Bleeding Heart. Brewed with peanut butter, cocoa nibs and lactose, this delicious creamy stout is said to have mystical powers — especially when consumed on a full moon.
Run in the Sweetheart Classic
Hosted by Sweetheart City Racing, the Sweetheart Classic has become a beloved component of the weekend’s festivities. This 4-mile course starts in downtown Loveland and runs along the River’s Edge Natural Area. The race begins promptly at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, but racers should arrive early to ensure smooth parking and an on-time start. Register for the race here — as a couple or as a single! Proceeds benefit the Thompson School District High School and Middle School cross country teams.
Send a Love Letter Through the Valentine Re-Mailing Program
The most famous program of its kind in Colorado and one of the largest in the country, the Loveland Valentine Re-Mailing Program is a Valentine’s Day tradition anyone can take part in. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce and the United States Postal Service have been teaming up for 77 years to bring love, hope and sentiments to people in all 50 states and more than 110 countries.
Participate in this beloved annual program by sending your valentine through the Sweetheart City. All you have to do is address and stamp your envelope as normal with the recipient’s address. Then, send it in a larger, first-class envelope addressed to the United States Postal Service at 446 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538-9998. A special cachet and cancellation stamp will be lovingly hand-stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program! Or you can purchase a valentine online for $10, which includes processing, postage, shipping and inscribing. Colorado residents have until February 9 to get your letters sent. Click here for all the details — including additional drop-off spots in Loveland.
Renew Your Vows at Loveland’s Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding
Make this Valentine’s Day extra special by renewing your vows (or even getting married!) at Loveland’s Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding. This romantic ceremony includes music you vote on, keepsake photos, a lock you can put on the famous LOVE sculpture, gift bags, signature wedding cupcakes, and a chance to win a huge gift basket. The group wedding will take place at the Budweiser Event Center on February 14 at 4 p.m., prior to an Eagles hockey game. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get married or renew your vows on ice! Purchase your tickets for the group wedding here.
Purchase a Love Lock
Lock up your love on the largest love lock sculpture of its kind in the U.S. — right here in Loveland! Purchase a love lock, engrave it with a permanent marker or engraving tool, and lock it on the sculpture (be sure to place it on the grid only — otherwise, it will be removed). You can either keep the key as a souvenir — or throw it away to lock your love for eternity! There are two sculptures in Loveland, including the “LOVE” lock sculpture at 5400 Stone Creek Circle and the heart arch sculpture on Lake Drive. You can purchase your lock at the Loveland Visitors Center or online for just $20. Or if you’re not in town, you can pay $25 to get the lock hand-engraved and placed on the sculpture for you! You’ll even receive photos of the finished product and information about its location so you know where to find it.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
From the Sweetheart City, we hope you and your loved ones have a lovely Valentine’s Day!
Comments