> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.westernslopetrellis.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Things to Do This Weekend on the Western Slope: Colorado Day Edition (July 31–August 2, 2026) - URL: https://www.westernslopetrellis.com/things-to-do-this-weekend-on-the-western-slope-colorado-day-edition-july-31-august-2-2026/ - Published: 2026-07-30T19:02:39.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-30T19:02:39.000Z - Description: Colorado turns 150 this Saturday and the Western Slope is celebrating — Fruita's 9:30 p.m. drone show, the Garfield County Fair parade in Rifle, free bluegrass in Cedaredge, and Palisade winery concerts all weekend. Your county-by-county guide to July 31–August 2, from GJ to Glenwood. - Author: Western Slope Trellis Staff - Tags: Events Colorado turns 150 on Saturday — and from Fruita to Rifle to Cedaredge, the Western Slope is throwing the party. This weekend brings a rescheduled drone spectacular over Fruita, the kickoff parade for the 88th Garfield County Fair, free bluegrass under the Grand Mesa, and a full slate of winery concerts in Palisade. Here's your county-by-county guide for Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. ## Mesa County: Grand Junction, Fruita & Palisade Events ### Friday, July 31 **Colterris Summer Sunsets Concert** — Colterris Winery, Palisade, 5 p.m. Lost Junction Band plays the vineyard with food trucks and estate-grown wines as the sun drops behind the Bookcliffs. The Friday series runs all the way to Wine Festivus in September. **Full Moon Walk at Colorado National Monument** — 8:30 p.m. Meet Ranger Amber at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area for a 2-mile round-trip moonlit walk into No Thoroughfare Canyon. Bring water and sturdy shoes. **Miracle – Movies Under the Stars** — Glade Park, grill opens 6 p.m., movie at dusk. Hay rides, volleyball, bingo, and burgers before the show, just 30 minutes from Grand Junction. Bring a chair and a warm layer, Glade Park cools off fast after sunset. **Cork Crafting Workshop** — Carboy Winery, Palisade, Friday evening. A hands-on craft night with local maker Amy Griffiths, wine in hand. **At the library:** The Friends of Mesa County Libraries Weekend Book Sale runs Friday *and* Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at First Congregational Church (1425 N. 5th St., Grand Junction). Every dollar funds Summer Reading, Comic Con, and Culture Fest. ### Saturday, August 1 — Colorado Day **150/250 Celebration with Drone Show** — Civic Center Park, Fruita, drone show at 9:30 p.m. Rescheduled from July 2 after the Snyder Fire, Fruita's drone spectacular now lands squarely on Colorado's 150th birthday, with a concert and ice cream social leading up to the main event. This is the marquee free event of the weekend so arrive early for parking. **Colorado Day at the Atomic Legacy Cabin** — Grand Junction, exhibit tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free hands-on STEM and art stations for the whole family, plus food trucks, celebrating Colorado's 150th and America's 250th. **Farmers Market at Cross Orchards** — 8 a.m.–noon. Seasonal produce, baked goods, train rides, and live music in the historic orchard setting. **Saturday Morning Music Sessions** — Downtown Grand Junction, 10 a.m.–noon. Triple Play Records' free concert series brings local and regional acts to Main Street. **Pre-Sturgis Party** — Grand Junction Harley-Davidson, all day. A full-throttle rally sendoff with hair-metal tribute band The Dirt before riders roll north to South Dakota. **Wine country Saturday:** 80z AM plays the Band in the Barrel series at Restoration Vineyards; Backyard Beats brings free live music to the Carboy Palisade backyard; and Wine & Whimsy returns to The Harlow Palisade with West Slope Mercantile. ### Sunday, August 2 **13th Annual GJ Bridal Experience** — DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Dr., Grand Junction, noon–4 p.m. More than 50 local wedding vendors, giveaways, a cocktail bar, and show-only deals. VIP early entry noon–1 p.m. ($15); general admission from 1 p.m. ($5 online, $10 at the door). **Carboy Crochet Collective** — Carboy Palisade, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Hooks, yarn, and a glass of wine. Total beginners welcome. **Look ahead:** The Grand Valley Community Orchestra plays a free "Stories Through Music" concert Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. (631 26½ Road, Grand Junction). ## Montrose County Events ### Saturday, August 1 **Power in the Pasture** — Montrose County Fairgrounds, gates at 7:45 a.m. Antique tractors and vintage farm power, including dyno competitions. Tickets and event details at [powerinthepasture.com.](https://www.powerinthepasture.com/?ref=westernslopetrellis.com) **Library note:** The Montrose Library main branch is closed Saturdays; Sunday hours are 1–5 p.m. **Look ahead:** The 140th Montrose County Fair & Rodeo wrapped July 25\. Next on the calendar: the bilingual book club Libros y Chisme meets at Ay! Chabela on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m. ## Garfield County: Glenwood Springs, Rifle & Carbondale Events ### Friday, July 31 **At the library:** Park Tales storytime, 9:30 a.m. at Cottonwood Park in Parachute; The Dragon Lair for kids, 1 p.m. in Rifle; Nature Journaling with Words and Drawings, 1 p.m. in Carbondale. ### Saturday, August 1 — Garfield County Fair Kickoff **Garfield County Fair Parade** — 10 a.m., Railroad Avenue, Rifle. Floats, classic cars, and marching bands open the 88th annual "Red, White and Blue — A Fair for You" celebration. **Summer of Thunder Car Show** — Garfield County Fairgrounds, noon–4 p.m. The 19th annual show brings vintage works of art and muscle cars to Rifle, free to browse. **Hwy 82 Band** — Free stage at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, noon. Stick around after the parade for live music. **At the library:** Magic at the Library, 1 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs branch; bilingual storytime, 10:30 a.m. in Carbondale. ### Sunday, August 2 **The Art of Conversations** — Carbondale branch library, 6 p.m. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is open daily 9 a.m.–7 p.m. all weekend for gondola rides, cave tours, and alpine coasters. **Look ahead:** Fair week proper hits Rifle Aug. 4–8 — Family & Kidz Rodeo Tuesday, PRCA ProRodeo Wednesday, Xtreme Bulls Thursday, Sawyer Brown in concert Friday, Aug. 7, and the demolition derby Saturday, Aug. 8. ## Delta County: Worth the Drive **Stray Grass** — Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, 195 W. Main St., Cedaredge, Friday, July 31, 6–8:30 p.m. Free outdoor bluegrass from one of the Western Slope's favorite string bands, with Cat's on Main serving smash burgers. Bring a lawn chair. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What time is the Fruita drone show on August 1, 2026?** The drone show starts at 9:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park in Fruita, following an evening concert and ice cream social. It was rescheduled from July 2 due to the Snyder Fire. **When is the Garfield County Fair parade in Rifle?** Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. on Railroad Avenue. The main fair runs August 4–8 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, with the Sawyer Brown concert on Friday, August 7. **Is the Stray Grass concert in Cedaredge free?** Yes — the outdoor show at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center on July 31 (6–8:30 p.m.) is free, part of GMAEC's Summer Concert Series. **How much is the GJ Bridal Experience?** General admission is $5 online or $10 at the door (entry from 1 p.m.); VIP early entry (noon–1 p.m.) is $15 and includes a goodie bag. It's held Sunday, August 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Grand Junction. **What is Colorado Day?** August 1 marks the anniversary of Colorado's statehood in 1876 — and 2026 is the 150th, coinciding with America's 250th. Watch for "150/250" celebrations across the state.