Issuu

What's your "WHY"?

When I chose to start Grand Junction Lifestyle in partnership with Lifestyle Publications, Inc., it was June of 2019. No one had heard of COVID-19 in the USA and the first confirmed case in the USA wasn't until January of 2020.

I came to Mesa County in 1994 to build homes, working for the family of one of my mom's 1960s college roommates. Since then much has changed here and much remains as GRAND as ever.

If you missed it in 2020, when the first issue was presented to Mesa County, it was September of that year amid the strictest of the shut-down restrictions. Page 9 this month, is a reprint of the first Lifestyle Letter in that inaugural issue. Those feelings remain, along with a deepened respect for the resilience we have shown in pulling together through hard things leading up to and through the 2020 pandemic.

Mesa County resilience has carried this community through boom/bust cycles many times, centered on energy production. As we become more diversified in income sources and more attuned to the "gig" economy and to powerful tech tools, becoming disconnected might be too easy to do.

Staying connected makes us all better in business, in achievement and in caring for each other as great neighbors used to do, ought to do and can still do, if we really care about keeping the good going in our community.

It's been a genuine pleasure to serve and present some of the best stories our community has to offer, over the past five years. The team here at Grand Junction Lifestyle is looking forward to even more of those legacy, forward-looking and in-the-now stories to share with you, our friends and neighbors for many more years to come.

Best regards, friends.

SCOTT FAIRBANKS, PUBLISHER @GRANDJUNCTIONLIFESTYLE

September 2025

PUBLISHER

Scott Fairbanks | scott.fairbanks@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Tiffinie Storm | tiffinie.storm@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn

Proverbs 3:5-6

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction

Markets available nationwide. Learn more at future.citylifestyle.com Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Rotary Club members from Grand Junction Rotary and The Evening Group, Delivery Day. 2: Transferring supplies from pallets to vehicles. 3: Preparing to head-out on deliveries to D51 Schools 4: Literally, tons of school supplies delivered on 8/1 5: As far out as Gateway, schools receive notebooks, pencils, crayons etc. 6: A sample of what is delivered. 7: Supplies are organized by school so each one gets what they need.

Truly GRAND!

Serving Our Community

GJ LIFESTYLE CARES!

ARTICLE BY GJ LIFESTYLE STAFF

PHOTOGRAPHY

GJ LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTORS

Dara Hartmann, Hartmann Farmhouse

Chef Steve Barnard

Beginning in June of 2019 our Publisher was approached by Lifestyle Publications the parent company of what is now known as City Lifestyle and citylifestyle.com. An opportunity to bring a powerful and unique business model to this community was presented and a journey began that has been full of surprises!

After more than 30 years of being part of this community, our publisher has been long aware of service clubs and organizations and wanted to lean in even more to reinforcing the abundant good going on throughout Mesa County.

The arts, education, recreation of all kinds, the rich history and legacy of excellence that are all part of the Grand Valley make this place truly special.

We have featured outstanding local cuisine, brought you educational adventures from Guadalupe Island Mexico to Tanzania, Kenya, Eastern Europe and the heights of Kilimanjaro's summit and showcased local service organizations in abundance, along with local lifestyle stories that have been a tremendous pleasure to share with our neighbors. Included here are a few favorite cover images from the past five years. Tough to choose? For sure! Some were picked especially for the story that goes with them, people met and memories made along the way.

Feeling adventurous? How a bout a digital scavenger hunt? All these can be seen online too.

(If you haven't seen our favorites you're welcome and invited to find your own "faves" any time by visiting ANY past issue for free 24/7 at citylifestyle.com/ grandjunction.

January - Health and Wellness: Winter back country camping, snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa and a feature on the 2020 Colorado Trail "fastest known time"

(FKT) athlete. Both the Backcountry Camping trip and the FKT story left lasting impressions on the publisher and those stories remain favorites.

February - Love Local: From custom jewelry to amazing local sculpture and everything in between, we LOVE showcasing our amazing local talent. We've shown local painters "en plein aire" refining their craft at an art competition on the Monument; local sculptors and downtown legacy art that "hits different" when you've been here long enough to begin putting down some roots. We even have an art center dedicated to military veterans and their creative pursuits. And don't forget The Art Center at 7th and Orchard; a powerhouse in proactive community connection to the visual arts.

March - Home Design and Services: Home design and services covers such broad strokes in the canvas of our neighborhoods that the possibilities are nearly infinite. The House overlooking "lunch loops" (March 2021) is one of those "what a view" builds that almost takes the breath away even looking up at it from the ravine floor.

April - Spring/Environment/Finance: A lifetime of white shark conservation by a local guy, local legacies of JUCO and V for valor, medal of honor recipient WWII veteran (April 2021 and 2025)

May - Local Ladies: The service work and grants given by Junior Service League, local leaders and military veterans, even a professional racecar driver. We like to think of these as our Limitless Local Ladies! Much of the spectacular photography curated for these issues is provided by some of these talented gals.

June - Gents/Dads and Grads: From scholarship recipients and grantors to mentors, history makers and advocates for timeless values, our local "gents" rank among the best to be found anywhere; often excelling

CONTINUED >

“In the next feature we'll give a shout out to our community partners who have supported the community centered content that you, our friends, have come to love.”

“We've barely scratched the surface of all that GRAND Mesa County has to offer. We look forward to KEEPING THE GRAND THINGS GOING, for many years to come.”

Back Country Winter Camping, Ryan Cranston

Bangs Canyon Sunrise

out of obscurity and sometimes through seemingly insurmountable challenges.

July - Explore/Summertime: Two stories really stand out for July. Last summer the cover story was all about the Colorado River being therapeutic and educational during decades of summer fun and learning. The other story, from July of 2022 was an adventure, a retreat and a flood of learning in a two day camping trip that left impressions to last a lifetime. Never been rafting the Colorado or seen some of western Colorado's ghost towns? You might be surprised at what you learn in the process - including what you learn about yourself.

August - Kids and Pets: Picking just one favorite cover or favorite story from the annual Kids and Pets issue was simply impossible. As a community you have said you love them all and as a publication team we agree. Horse Sense and Mesa County's Best Friend (Rachel) are some of the heart warming features but all of our August issues have had stories that stick with you.

September - Style and Fashion/Local Lifestyle and Culture: Style and Fashion are always a moving target in terms of clothing so we have kept our focus on local lifestyle in September. Two of the most enjoyable features have been focused on the learning of a lifetime that comes through travel. The Kenya and Tanzania educational travel stories and the pinnacle of that excursion; a group of local "intrepids" summiting Kilimanjaro was pretty special to bring to our community. Last year the Sept. 2024 issue also featured the brand-new GJHS in vivid pictorial outlay. The photographer, GJHS alumna Lily Caldwell!

October - Foodie: A baker's dozen, local burger blitz (might be about time for an update) - some of those burgers are no longer available. A favorite cover, featuring a dramatic flambe and features on some of the gourmet locations to try have also been palate pleasing, eye catching and appetizing. More to come...

November - Thankful: Local tablescapes for holiday entertaining, local coaches and mentors, leaders in community service, law enforcement, fire fighting, community health advocacy and crisis management have ben highlighted and taught us at GJ Lifestyle immeasurably about our own mission - seek out and help to keep going, not just the good but the best things in our community - this place, these people, the heritage and brilliant future here are among the the best to be found anywhere!

December - Holiday Giving and Celebration: Giving for us and for the City Lifestyle corporate team is not just a Holiday Season theme nor a once or twice a year event. Yes, we give abundantly financially and in service hours every December across over 200 publications from coast to coast and more. We have international service projects you may remember from December issues and that has grown five fold in the time we have been bringing GJ Lifestyle to Mesa County. We love the fun of the Holiday Season and have truly enjoyed bringing you, our friends, these Holiday issues each year.

Our publisher is a Desert Shield/Desert Storm era USMC veteran and often advocates for principles learned then - among them - "return and report". In the following feature we'll give a shout out to each of our community partners who fulfilled an agreement to support the positive, community centered content many of you, our friends, neighbors and loyal readers have come to love, while promoting their exceptional offerings.

The GJ Lifestyle team wants to express our gratitude to community partners, talented writers and photographers and to you - our readers - for grand adventures each issue. Hang on! It's going to continue to be thrilling. We've barely scratched the surface of all the GRAND this Mesa County community has to offer. We look forward to KEEPING THE GRAND things going for many more years to come.

We love to hear our friends and neighbors say they enjoy the local resources, shopping, food and "beautiful photography" inside the pages we bring you each month. Here are a few samples.

SPECIAL THANKS

An invitation to join us on this journey.

ARTICLE BY GJ LIFESTYLE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS

SAAAAFE!

To begin with, here’s a shout out to each of our community partners in the first issue who fulfilled their agreement in support of the content Mesa County enjoys so much. These “founding partners” joined us on this journey when we were a new monthly magazine here. We are grateful to them for believing in the vision and participating to bring you features about their community contributions too. (photos are random “flashbacks”) Founding partners with completed agreements: (Full Partnership Level)

• ReMax 4000 - 24 months

• Dr. William Merkel - 18 months

• Bookcliff Country Club - 24 months

• Flower Extraordinaire - 12 months

• Family Health West - 36 months

• Landmark Staffing - 36 months

• Miracle Method - 60 months

• Snyder Grand Valley Memorials - 12 months

• Julie Adams, Lifestyle Living Real Estate - 24 months

• Museums of Western Colorado - 12 months

• Burton Orthodontics - 12 months

• Acme Chop Shop/Kustom Built Cars - 36 Months

• Haining Home Services - 36 Months

• Fruita Chamber of Commerce - 60 Months

• Palisade Chamber of Commerce - 48 Months

Foodie Feature

Dr. April Schulte

Supporting Local Charities

A few others with completed agreements who joined us later deserve our thanks too:

• Thomas Hunn Jewelers - 36 months

• Primary Care Partners - 12 months

• Sticks and Stones/Ft. Knox RV Storage - 18 months

• Home loan State Bank and Insurance - 12 months

• Shoe Design - 48 months

• The Lodge at Grand Junction - 12 months

• Healing Horizons Integrative Medicine - 12 months

• Cruise Planners - 12 months

• Rimrock Wellness - 12 months

• Callahan Edfast - 36 Months

• Foster Alumni Mentors - 48 Months

• Hilltop - 12 months

• GJ Golf - 36 months

• Academy Mortgage - 12 months

• Franklin Prestige Mortgage - 18 months

• Modern Classic Motors - 36 months

• Carrie Konakis, Shelter Insurance - 18 months

• Nothing Bundt Cakes - 24 Months

• Coloramo Credit Union - 12 Months

• Hartmann Farmhouse - 36 months

• Colorado Fruit Designs - 36 Months

We thank these and current partners with us on this journey into a brilliant future ahead for GJ Lifestyle and our Mesa County friends.

Sculptor Feature

Right Down the Barrel

Dancing Trout

ARTICLE BY

JIM HALE

- "CAPTAIN KINDNESS" PHOTOGRAPHY BY RONI HALE

MESA COUNTY KINDNESS INITIATIVE

THE KINDNESS CHALLENGE

GRAND JUNCTION: A COMMUNITY OF KINDNESS

Grand Junction, and the surrounding community of the Grand Valley has been known in the past for its kindness, being friendly, generous and considerate. While that culture has been kept alive in various church, non-profit, service clubs, schools and government programs we are yet being affected by the general anxiety and political polarization of the times we live in.

Restoring our common humanity is key. No matter who wins elections or triumphs in social issues we will still have to find a good way to live together when the election is over if we are to regain common respect and peace. We may not remember what someone said, but we will always remember the one who treated us with kindness.

“RESTORING OUR COMMON HUMANITY IS KEY.”

Join us! Try the Mesa County Kindness Challenge and see that it makes life better all around.

The need of kindness, to be known and accepted is universal, everyone wants it, needs it and has the ability to give it. The Mesa County Kindness Challenge was birthed in that thought.

Captain Kindness, the superhero figurehead of the initiative, began encouraging the people about kindness being their superpower that could make things better at home, school, workplace and community. They began to respond in wonderful ways. Kids began finding the lonely ones and befriending them at school as well as strategizing how they could bless their family and neighbors. Passionate social justice warriors found themselves softening as they thought about the kind of community they wanted their children and grandchildren to grow up in. Parents rediscovered what they had always known, that kindness was an important part of society and that political and social issues were downstream from culture; still important but not as important as treating other the way we ourselves would like to be treated.

THE KINDNESS CHALLENGE

1- Start a conversation seeking to understand rather than to be understood. Ask questions, listen, and genuinely take interest in the responses.

2- Listen without preconceiving your response. Understand their perspective before speaking.

People often self-counsel as they talk and you may not need to say anything.

3- Speak about your perspective with kindness. If there is strong disagreement, affirm the others right to their opinion. Take “winning” off the table.

4- Acknowledge others. Make everyone you encounter feel like an equalwave, say hello, make eye contact, hold the door open, etc.

5- Approach those around you with appreciation. Everyone is unique, with different experiences, talents, skills and perspectives; even the angry ones.

CONTINUED >

Everyone has something to say that’s worth consideration.

6- Be kind to yourself. Let go of stresses and burdens that are beyond your control. Take a walk, pet a dog, play with your kids. It’s difficult to be kind to others if you’re anxious and on edge.

7- Do what you can to help. There may not be anything you can do, but just caring enough to actively listen can be a healing and encouraging influence all by itself.

8- If you are a person of faith, or of none, pause and reflect in prayer or meditation. As nhumans, we all need a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves for peace, comfort and inspiration, whether that be in God or some other source. Human kindness and being part of a greater purpose is very powerful.

“WE’RE

ALL HUMANS WITH THE SAME HOPES, FEARS, DESIRES, DREAMS AND NEEDS.”

9- Take a break from social media. Limit your negative relational and media influences. Choose hope.

10- Resist the impulse to see those on the opposite side of the political spectrum as your enemy. Understand that we are a tribal species whose brains are susceptible to dividing the world in and “us-versus-them” way. Don’t fall for it; we’re all humans with the same hopes, fears, desires, dreams and needs.

11- Pause before hitting send. Take a breath. Wait 24 hours and then reconsider sending.

12- In a world where you can be anything, BE KIND.

Jim Hale, local pastor and alter-ego of Captain Kindness can be contacted at captainkindnessco@gmail.com or website: convergencegv.org or Facebook: Mesa County Kindness Initiative.

OUTDOOR WILDERNESS LAB gateway

CPW and D51 Schools partner to provide hands on outdoor education.

ARTICLE BY GREG WECHENBROCH & SCOTT FAIRBANKS PHOTOGRAPHY BY D51 SCHOOLS - COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

OUTDOOR WILDERNESS LAB: WHERE LEARNING COMES TO LIFE

The Outdoor Wilderness Lab (OWL) is a unique outdoor education program operated by Mesa County Valley School District 51 (D51) in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Nestled in scenic Gateway, Colorado—just 47 miles from Grand Junction—OWL offers students immersive, hands-on experiences that connect them with nature, strengthen social-emotional skills, and inspire environmental stewardship.

What began as a small pilot has grown into a year-round educational hub serving students across the Grand Valley and beyond. OWL fosters leadership, collaboration, and resilience by immersing students in meaningful outdoor learning.

A LIVING CLASSROOM IN THE WILD

OWL is based at the historic Gateway School, which has served the local community for over a century. With West Creek flowing through campus and surrounded by striking desert and riparian ecosystems, the land offers an ideal environment for science and environmental learning.

Outdoor classrooms connect directly to the surrounding landscape. Students explore everything from wildlife and water conservation to plant identification and geology, all while practicing critical thinking and inquiry-based learning. The opportunities for students to make new discoveries seem endless with each new turn in the trail leading a world of possibility.

LESSONS BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK

At OWL, nature becomes the classroom. Students collect data from the creek, observe wildlife, and conduct real-time experiments that bring science to life. This hands-on approach fosters curiosity and encourages students to ask questions and seek answers through direct observation.

But OWL teaches more than science. Outdoor learning builds confidence, communication skills, and empathy. Through shared experiences like hiking, campfire discussions, and group challenges, students develop teamwork, resilience, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

One student, Sierra Conrad, reflected on her experience: “This is a beautiful experience with the forest all around. The classes are very interesting. You will love this, I promise. You will make new friends and remember this for the rest of your life. I’ve never felt so good and so brave before.”

CONTINUED >

A HOME IN NATURE

After a day of exploration, students stay in cozy tent-cabins that provide both comfort and connection. These accommodations promote reflection, bonding, and a sense of community while reinforcing OWL’s mission: to immerse students in nature in a way that is both safe and inspiring.

CORE VALUES THAT GUIDE GROWTH

OWL is rooted in four guiding values that shape both the curriculum and student experience:

• Others – Treat others and yourself with dignity and respect.

• Wilderness – Protect and appreciate the outdoors.

• Learning – Learn every day, even when it’s hard.

• Self – Adapt, improvise, and overcome challenges.

These principles empower students to grow as learners, leaders, and compassionate individuals who care for their communities and the planet.

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

Since its founding in 2012, OWL has expanded to serve a wide range of students:

• Elementary Day Trips introduce younger students to nature through short, activity-filled visits.

• Middle School Overnight Trips provide sixth graders with several days of environmental science, teamwork, and personal growth.

• High School Adventures offer experiences like hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and rock climbing—while building leadership and outdoor skills.

• Internships give high school and post-graduate students hands-on experience in outdoor education and stewardship.

In 2025-2026, OWL will serve over 1,700 students, including over 1,000 middle schoolers on overnight trips.

WWW.OUTDOORWILDERNESSLAB.ORG

What are your most memorable learning experiences. Are they lectures and text book cram sessions. Probably not! Athletics, music, theater, speech and debate, visual arts, shop classes, field trips - especially hands-on outings and laboratory work likely make up the best remembered, most enjoyed and even the strongest influences toward a career within formal education experiences.

For more information go to http://www.outdoorwildernesslab.org

From the GJ Lifestyle Publisher:

“You will make new friends and remember this for the rest of your life. I’ve never felt so good and so brave before.”

LOOKING AHEAD

As OWL grows, it remains committed to delivering life-changing outdoor education. With continued support from D51, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Western Colorado Community Foundation, and other community partners, the program continues to expand access and impact.

By combining science, adventure, and social-emotional learning in a natural setting, OWL equips students with the skills and mindset to become thoughtful, capable, and curious citizens. For many, like Sierra, OWL isn’t just school—it’s a memory that lasts a lifetime.

I had the opportunity on August 1st to take a drive to Gateway as part of the Grand Junction Rotary Club’s annual school supplies delivery day. During that visit to the Gateway campus, I got talking with a staff member and was reminded of the OWL program and its location at the Gateway school.

After some brief conversation that day, we arranged a meeting to talk more in depth about the program, the workshops offered to students from throughout the district and about the vision for what can be achieved with more awareness and community support.

The possibilities seem nearly endless and the experiences these students can have are sure to stick with them long after their grade-school years. When I think about the most memorable learning experiences of my own k-12 years, the things that stand out most are the practical application, hands-on lessons that teachers related to everyday, real-life usefulness.

Physics experiments like building a capsule that a raw egg could survive in unbroken, after falling 70 feet from the top of the auditorium or building a Rube Goldberg (mousetrap) machine are memories as vivid now as they were back then.

It seems our kids need much more of these enjoyable, lifetime value, earning events!

KUSTO M BUILT CARS

ARTICLE BY GJ LIFESTYLE STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBY ROBISON THEN AND NOW

Opposite:

Since inception in 2019 this program has presented a "poker run" of ACES all its own.

All of these exceptional performance restorations have been "from the ground up" builds by students in the Kustom Built Cars "Hotrod Academy" as we (GJ Lifestyle) like to call this educational, hands-on program for training a new generation of "cool car craftsmen".

CONTINUED >

#5 Ace of Spades, Black

This Page: #4 - 4x4 of a kind - 1972 Bronco

#3 Build - “Cherry” Queen of Hearts

#1 Lexux “Green With Envy” that it’s not yours?????

First Class - 1953 Lexus Green 3100

Deuce Class - 1951 Ford F100

Class Three - 1953 Chevy 3100 Candy Apple Red

Four - 1972 Bronco, Light Gray (very hard to beat)

Five - 1953 "Ace of Spades" Chevy 3100

Jack Weaver said this about building trucks in this program "

Below: #2 F1 Ford

SEPTEMBER 6TH

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Mountain Dinner at Powderhorn

Powderhorn Mountain Resort 48338 Powderhorn Rd. Mesa, CO 81643 | 6:00 PM

Join us for a culinary journey around the globe with a five-course food tour, showcasing the finest ingredients from local Western Slope farms and ranches. Every dish is thoughtfully paired to complement the flavors, offering an immersive dining experience you won’t forget. Reservations are limited, so don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event. Price: $99. (970) 268-5700

SEPTEMBER 6TH

Farmers Market at Cross Orchards

3073 Patterson Road Grand Junction, CO 81504 | 8:00 AM

Join us every Saturday from June 14 – September 27 at Cross Orchards Historic Site from 8 AM – 12 PM for fresh produce, handmade crafts, farm vendors, and more. Enjoy lawn games, food vendors, and scenic orchard charm — all with FREE market admission! Recurring weekly on Saturday until September 27, 2025. (970) 242-0971

SEPTEMBER 12TH

Tour of the Moon

Grand Junction Convention Center 159 Main Street Grand Junction, CO 81501 Email Us | 6:30 PM

Tour of the Moon was made famous in the 1980’s Coors Classic and later in the cycling movie American Flyers. Its legacy continues as one of the premier road cycling events in the western United States, which showcases the Colorado National Monument and its towering monoliths, sheer-walled red rock canyons, and panoramic views.

Registration is capped at 2,200 participants. theridecollective.com/tourofthemoon

SEPTEMBER 12TH

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

The Art Center of Western Colorado 835 N 26th St Grand Junction, CO 81501 | 7:00 PM

Step into the roaring 1920s, where jazz is hot, liquor is hidden, and love is anything but simple. This bold new take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing blends the charm of classic wit with the grit of Prohibition-era New York.

Adults $25, Students/Seniors $20. Recurring Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 12-21, 2025. (970) 260-7706

SEPTEMBER 13TH - 14TH

Desert’s Edge Triathlon Series

1800 11 8/10 Rd. Loma, CO 81524 | 8:00 AM

Saturday, September 13: Sprint and Olympic; Sunday, September 14: Off-road Sprint and Collegiate Draft Legal. Join the Grand Junction Sports Commission for the 2025 Desert's Edge Triathlon Series. Packet pickup will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. An athlete guide with additional details will be sent out before the event. info@grandjunctionsports.org; (970) 639-1387; $97.10-$148.59.

SEPTEMBER 19TH - 20TH

Mesa County Libraries Comic Con

Grand Junction Convention Center 159 Main St. Grand Junction, CO 81501 | 10:00 AM

Mesa County Libraries Comic Con is a fun, free, family-friendly event that brings together fans and creators, old and young in celebrating the importance of stories and fandoms that connect us and enrich our lives. Includes Expo Hall, Fandom Meetups, Panel Discussions and Cosplay Contests. 4 - 8 p.m. September 19 & 10am - 6pm September 20, 2025. (970) 243-4442

SEPTEMBER 20TH

Downtown Car Show

101 South 3rd Street, Suite 100 Grand Junction, CO 81501 | 9:00 AM

In September, Main Street rumbles with the sound of motors as participants pour into Downtown Grand Junction for the 23rd annual ColorAuto Detailing Downtown Car Show. Vehicle owners bring antique cars, muscle cars, classic cars – even motorcycles and electric cars are on display. The 2025 Car Show will take place on September 20 from 9:00am-3:00pm. Free. (970) 255-4923

SEPTEMBER 25TH - 27TH

Fruita Fall Festival

Downtown Fruita, Colorado | 5:00 PM

Experience everything that Fruita Fall Festival has to offer. There is something for everyone at this year’s Fruita Fall Festival! Outhouse Race, Pet Show, and Brew Fest to historical events such as the Baking & Canning Contest, History Fair and Parade, there is something for everyone to enjoy! We are excited to welcome over 100 vendors this year!

fruitafallfestival.com

SEPTEMBER 28TH

Color Weekend

Powderhorn Mountain Resort 48338 Powderhorn Rd. Mesa, CO 81643 | 11:00 AM

Powderhorn Mountain Resort will be open Saturday and Sunday for the Annual Color Weekend. Grab a scenic chair ride, bring your bike for mountain biking, or take a hike to see the spectacular views and changing colors Powderhorn has to offer. The base area will be filled with live music, specialty food & drinks, and good times! (970) 268-5700

Artistic - Tasteful

Same Day Pick Up or Delivery Available

gj@ coloradofruitdesigns com 970-628-4775

http://www. coloradofruitdesigns. com/ 545 Main Street Grand Junction

events

CONTINUED

OCTOBER 2ND - 5TH

RHS Beyond the Masquerade hosted by Western Colorado Red Hatters

743 Horizon Dr Grand Junction, CO 81506 | 6:00 PM

Western Slope Red Hat Society is hosting a weekend of Musicals and Memories here in Grand Junction. All ladies are welcome, whether you are a Red Hat Society Member or not. Free activities like a Scavenger Hunt, Bingo and Trivia along with some additional priced classes like jewelry making, a 50/50 raffle, and mask decorating. Price: $250.00. redhattersgj@gmail.com

OCTOBER 3RD - 4TH

Downtown Art Festival

101 South 3rd Street, Suite 100 Grand Junction, CO 81501 | 11:00 AM

The 10th Annual Downtown Art Festival, celebrating the Downtown Grand Junction Creative District, will be happening October 3rd & 4th! Art Festival is an event that showcases the vibrancy of our artistic community. Registration will be posted on downtowngj.org on Monday, July 21 at noon. For more information visit gjcreates.org Free. (970) 255-4923

OCTOBER 5TH

Oktoberfest

Powderhorn Mountain Resort 48338 Powderhorn Road Mesa, CO 81521 | 12:00 PM

Winter is on its way–come celebrate with us on the mountain! Preparations for the upcoming winter are underway as we look forward to Opening Day. Scenic lift rides will not be available. Oktoberfest at Powderhorn is a family-friendly affair with activities, food, and, of course, seasonal drinks. Admission to the event is FREE!

(970) 268-5700