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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
