Celebrate August 2019

CELEBRATE

AUGUST

Your guide to late summer in Loveland and the surrounding area

JJuly uly 228, 8, 22019 019 • A pproduct roduct ooff tthe he Lovelan Lovela nd Re RReporter-Herald epo porrte terr-Her eraald Loveland A bronze sculpture titled “Peyton” by Loveland artist Teresa Hansen appears to watch over people during the 2015 Loveland Fine Art Invitational.

JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald

SCULPTURE IN THE PARK

New faces add to longtime tradition

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Loveland has a well-deser ved reputation as a center for all things sculpture. No event showcases why it deser ves that reputation quite like Sculpture in the Park, the 35-year-old juried sculpture show that has become the biggest such event in the nation.

This year’s event, which will take place Aug. 10 and 11 in Benson Sculpture Garden, will feature 160 sculptors, including 22 who will be attending the event for the first time. However, even those artists who are veterans of the show will be displaying relatively new work thanks to a requirement that they do so.

And don’t go thinking it’s all bronze either, said Kristi Elyce, executive director of the Loveland High Plains Arts Council that has organized Sculpture in the Park since its founding.

“People should be aware that the show is ver y diverse,” Elyce said. “Sometimes people think of sculpture as being just bronze and western stuff, but we have ceramic, metal, glass and mixed media pieces in the show.”

But while the sculptors and their work are the heart of the show, Elyce said two other important keys to its long-term success have been its dedicated collection of patrons and volunteers, the latter of which now number about 400 each year.

“We have had people from all over the countr y call us and say we would like to start a sculpture show,” said Elyce. “I think the biggest challenge they face is getting enough volunteers.”

One of the most popular aspects of the show in recent years has been the “Take Home Tent,” where attendees can purchase miniature versions of many of the sculptures permanently on display in Benson Sculpture Garden, which were purchased with proceeds from previous years of Sculpture in

MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Artist Gary Moser, from Glendale, Ariz., talks to attendees during the 2018 Sculpture in the Park at the Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland.

Sculpture in the Park When: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 10; 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 11 Where: Benson Sculpture Garden, 2908 Aspen Drive, Loveland

the Park. That tent will be twice as large after organizers decided to give it two spaces in one of the event tents where it was moved last year.

Elyce said those looking to make the most of their experience should consider attending the Friday patron party from 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 9. A limited number of tickets are available for that party, which is also open to those who have purchased sculptures MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald at the show in past years.

Artist Nick Leonoff shares his “Portal” series pieces with attendees during the SEE SCULPTURE, PAGE 5 2018 Sculpture in the Park event at the Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland.

2 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

2018

46

46

CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 3

FINE ART INVITATIONAL

JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Members of the Valentine family check out some of the blown glass sculptures by artist Joshua Noah Dopp during the 2018 Loveland Fine Art Invitational at Loveland High School. From left are Emma Valentine, Anne Valentine, Laura Valentine, and John Valentine.

Festival weekend gets different dimension

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

North Lake Park.”

“We wanted to bring in a fine art event that would include Though it is much younger sculpture but also have paintings, than the two other art festivals blown glass, fine jewelry and that set up alongside it on the When: Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to even handcrafted furniture and second weekend in August, Love5 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. things like hand-carved fire pits,” land’s Fine Art Invitational Where: Loveland High School’s said Vermillion. already has managed to become Owens Field, 1100 N. Lake Drive, The festival, which is juried, an indispensable part of one of Loveland now attracts about 100 artists Loveland’s long-running arts from around the country who will weekend.

The Fine Art Invitational was Field. Vermillion said her original be set up in two large tents and at several smaller exhibitor booths launched in 2014 by art festival concept for the event was to at the festival. promoter Candy Vermillion fol“bring in a little bit of a different Among the most notable names lowing the demise of the longdynamic” that would round out slated to be at this year’s event running Loveland Sculpture Invi- an art weekend that already feaare noted Ernie Apodaca, a tational that previously occupied tured “an all-sculpture show in Native American who makes furthe Fine Art Invitational’s place at Sculpture in the Park and then you had an arts crafts show in niture with a distinctive western Loveland High School’s Owen REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Loveland Fine Art Invitational

4 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

flair and will be featured in Western Art Magazine in September.

Joining him will be California glass blower Bryon Sutherland.

“He is going to have some pretty dramatic glass chandeliers there that he is doing some custom orders on, and they are pretty spectacular,” Vermillion said.

The festival also has a new partner this year in Colorado Kids Create, a Berthoud-based non-profit that raises money to provide Colorado schools with art supplies. As part of that partnership, Colorado Kids Create will have its own section of the festival where local artists selectSEE FINE ARTS, PAGE 5

CELEBRATING

36 YEARS

America’s Largest Outdoor Juried Sculpture Show and Sale JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Artist Pamela Winters sculpts a piece in clay trying to convey balance and focus during the 2018 Loveland Fine Art Invitational at Loveland High School.

FINE ARTS from page 4 ed by the organization will show their work and do demos.

Vermillion said Colorado Kids Create is also managing sales of craft beer and wine at the event and will offer wine tasting. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s festival will also go to Colorado Kids Create.

Vermillion said she is excited about the new partnership.

“Absolutely we are always excited to work with local nonprofits and support anything that furthers the arts,” Vermillion said.

Vermillion said she is excited for her event to continue to make a place for itself within the Loveland art scene.

“We are hoping we are an established part of the Loveland art weekend now and want to invite everybody out to support Colorado Kids Create,” she said.

“And hopefully people will visit all three shows. It’s pretty exciting to have three major art events in town all in one place.”

The Loveland Fine Art Invitational runs Aug. 9-11 at Loveland High School’s Owen Field.

SCULPTURE from page 2

“It’s such a magical evening,” Elyce said. “People have the opportunity to talk with the artists in an uncrowded environment and enjoy food and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased by calling the High Plains Arts Council at 663-2940.

Elyce also recommended attendees park at one of five free shuttle stops listed on the Sculpture in the Park website rather than attempting to park near the show.

“That’s a much easier way to get to the show,” she said.

As she looks ahead to this year’s show, Elyce said one of the aspects she always looks most for ward to is its mix of old and new.

“It will be really fun to see the 22 new artists come in, and then it’s always fun to see old friends,” she said. “We have been working with a lot of these artists for up to 36 years, so it’s always nice to see them again and find out what they are doing.”

Sculpture in the Park runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 10 and 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 11.

Over 2,000 sculptures by 160 jury-selected artists

Saturday, AUGUST 10 9:30am-6:00pm

Sunday, AUGUST 11 9:30am-4:30pm $8 per adult, 14 & Under Free

BENSON SCULPTURE GARDEN 29th & Aspen Drive | Loveland, CO

SculptureInThePark.org SPONSORED BY: The Group, Inc. • Bank of Colorado • Banner Health McKee Medical Center Independent Bank • Key Bank • Odell Brewing Company • Centerra Properties West • City of Loveland

CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 5

ART IN THE PARK

Event brings broader variety of art

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

“Art” encapsulates a whole lot more than just paintings on the wall.

The organizers of Loveland’s Art in the Park think their festival should reflect that broader definition.

“You can only go see so many wrought-iron cut-outs,” said Jill Atchison, the director of the event.

“So our thought this year was to widen the scope of art from music to culinary to farming.”

So don’t be surprised when you see local infused honeys and baked goods at this year’s event, which will also feature “everything from pottery to paintings to fiber art.”

But for Atchison, the move toward a broader show is a move toward more fully embracing the mission of the show, which has been going on for over five decades.

“Loveland has been known as an awesome art community, and Art in the Park is a huge representation of the art that is available and embraced here,” said Atchison.

“And as the community grows that definition of art is changing.”

Art in the Park, too, has grown over the years and Atchison said she is expecting a little more than 200 artisans to participate in this year’s show, a number she said is slightly above last year’s total.

Among them is artisan Elda Simpson, who operates a business called Switching Gears that makes steampunk-ish contraptions that go over light switches and use gears and other mechanisms to turn on those switches.

“They are really kind of funky and cool and very creatively done and just really interesting visually,” Atchinson said.

Joining Simpson at the fair will be local canning business Farm in a Jar and Linda Renaud, a Loveland artist who makes unique watercolor batik paintings. There will also be several photographers, glass blowers and sculptors, Atchinson said.

“What we have are more smaller scale, affordable sculptures you wouldn’t see at Sculpture in the

MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Metal yard art by Paul and Cher Krause, from Arlington, Neb., glitters in the sun during the 2016 Art in the Park at North Lake Park in Loveland.

Park,” she said.

The show will also have an educational component thanks to the artists of Loveland’s Schlisser Academy of Fine Arts, who will be giving live demonstrations at their booth throughout the festival.

However, the event pulls artisans not just from Loveland but all over the US, Atchison said. And if all that gazing at art of all kinds makes you hungry, there will be plenty to eat — and drink — this year thanks to several food trucks and a Crow Hop Brewing beer garden.

“We are doing a big variety with the food trucks,” Atchison said.

“There are going to be lobster rolls, burgers and fries and lots of ice cream and shaved ice.”

SHELLEY WIDHALM / For the Loveland Reporter-Herald Art in the Park will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 and Kiley Burke of Scottsdale, Ariz., makes a dreamcatcher as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 11 in North she waits for customers to stop by her Thunder & Twine Lake Park. booth at the 2018 Art in the Park show.

6 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

Art in the Park When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 11 Where: North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Avenue, Loveland

CORN ROAST FESTIVAL

Event returns to downtown Loveland

BY PAMELA JOHNSON REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Corn Roast Festival

The Loveland Corn Roast Festival will draw thousands downtown for a parade, corn shucking contest, music, cornhole tournament and, as the name indicates, roasted corn.

The festival, organized by the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, will be Aug. 23 and 24 in downtown Loveland and is expected to draw about 10,000 people to an array of events across both days.

“The Community loves to get together,” said Dixie Daly, business/membership director for the Loveland Chamber. “We have such a hometown feeling in Loveland, Colorado. It’s something people look forward to every year.”

The festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, will the events centered around Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue. Surrounding downtown roads will be closed throughout the event, which takes places on the streets of Loveland.

The event centers on family fun, but it also revolves around corn on the cob. A sponsor farm provides 10,000 ears of corn, which festival goers consume with smiles and SEE CORN ROAST, PAGE 9

Friday: • 5-10 p.m. Food vendors, beer gardens and amusements open.

• 5 p.m. Introduction of the grand marshal and sponsors.

• 5:30 p.m. Corn shucking contest kicks off.

• 8-10 p.m. The band Soul School will perform Saturday: •6:30-10 a.m. Pancake breakfast at the Loveland Elks Lodge, 103 E. Fourth St. •9:30 a.m. Corn Roast Festival parade. The parade route starts in Fairgrounds Park, proceeds north on Railroad Avenue to Sixth Street, then heads east on Sixth and South on Cleveland Avenue.

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vendors and food booths.

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Kids Zone with interactive arts; corn and beer sales.

• Noon to 2 p.m. Band Funky Business will perform.

• 1 p.m. Cornhole tournament.

• 3-5 p.m. Musician Wendy Woo will perform.

• 4 p.m. Loveland Rotary Club’s duck race.

• 6-8 p.m. Musician Steve Manshel will perform.

JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Centerra Unicorn team members get pumped up as they prepare to compete during the corn shucking contest at the 2018 Corn Roast Festival in downtown Loveland. Clockwise from left are Tammi Lau, Kayla Visscher, Denise Regan, Allie Schlepp and Lauren Winn.

Turn an

ORDINARY

room into a

GAME ROOM! FRONT RANGE POOL TABLE CO. Everything for the game room!

MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald

The 2016 Loveland Corn Roast Festival Parade makes its way through downtown Loveland.

1600 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm 970.419.0816 www.frontrangepooltables.com FC-0000377981

Just West of the Charco Broiler

CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 7

LARIMER COUNTY FAIR

Free concert added, other changes made for 104th annual event

BY SHELLEY WIDHALM

Larimer County Fair

FOR THE REPORTER-HERALD

This year’s Larimer County Fair is bigger and better with a new free concert, more carnival rides and the first ever Colorado Craft Cave — along with the regular features of specialty shows, a rodeo, 4-H exhibits and a long list of kids activities.

“It’s the standard stuff we’ve done at the fair with a few new twists here and there,” said Christopher Ashby, director of The Ranch Events Complex.

The new twists for the 104th annual fair Aug. 2-6 are thanks to new staff and board members focused on improvement, said Marvin Witt, chairman of the Larimer County Fair Board.

“We have a whole new fresh look at the fair,” Witt said. “The fairgrounds we have in Larimer County is one of the premier fairgrounds in the state. ... We keep developing new things and adding new things.

I’m extremely excited with what’s happening here.”

THE FREE KICK-OFF CONCERT

To kick off the changes, a free concert will be presented at 8 p.m.

Aug. 2 with country artist Jerrod Neimann and special guest, CJ Solar. Neimann, a veteran of multiple United Service Organization Tours, is a multi-platinum, singersongwriter known for his latest patriotic anthem, “Old Glory.” The concert is expected to draw a crowd of several thousand to the bowl, a grassy area in the middle of The Ranch grounds, as Neimann showscases some of his new songs and top hits.

“The new free concert is a big deal with Jerrod Neimann,” Ashby said, adding that in the past, the fair has presented local and regional bands but not performers of Neimann’s magnitude. “We decided to do the concert to add a little excitement to the fair to do something

When: 4-10 p.m. Aug. 2, 10 a.m.10 p.m. Aug. 3-4, 4-9 p.m. Aug. 5-6.

Where: The Ranch Events Complex.

More Info: Visit treventscomplex.com/events/ larimer-county-fair.

Note: Admission and parking are free. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed; they are not allowed in the barns.

Tickets: The mega pass for the carnival rides can be purchased at treventscomplex.com.

Group discounts are available by calling 619-4122.

for families and children and possibly a thrill ride — last year, there were about 20 rides. The rides will be presented by Carnival Americana, which also sets up rides and games at the Greeley Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days. Also new this year will be a separate area for the children’s rides.

“It brightens up the southeast side. It adds a little more exciteSHELLEY WIDHALM / For the Loveland Reporter-Herald ment,” Ashby said.

Marvin Witt of Mead, chairman of the Larimer County Fair Board, stands July 11 The carnival will be open weeknext to the Too Big For Her Britches statue outside the First National Bank nights 4 p.m. to midnight and weekBuilding, which will house some of the activities of the Larimer County Fair. ends noon to midnight Aug. 2-6.

Tickets will range from $30 for a special for the citizens of Larimer event, the craft cave will be open one-day pass to $80 for an all-days County.” and free to all ages Aug. 2-6. Those mega pass, or will be $35 the day of The concert and other fair activi- of age can visit craft distilleries and the fair. ties offer a “great chance for North- more than 20 taps of craft beer in a “There’s great rides, a great bar setup under a tent, hence the ern Colorado to shine,” said Mike atmosphere. It’s a very fun midBoschert, director of marketing for “cave.” There also will be several way,” Boschert said. “It’s going to free and fee-based food pairing, The Ranch Events Complex. “It’s be a larger carnival space, more hard to find a county fair, especially educational, craft and meet the dis- chances to interact, more games tiller and brewer activities in the one our size, where you can get in and all that fun stuff.” education and main tents. for free. We have so much to offer OTHER FAIR FEATURES “We think it suits the patrons bethere.” ter. They can come anytime now,” Also during the fair will be free THE COLORADO CRAFT CAVE Ashby said. “It opens up the oppor- firework shows at 10 p.m. Aug. 2-3, tunities for families to experience Another new feature of the fair a complimentary pancake breakfast more of Larimer County.” will be the Colorado Craft Cave, served by the Larimer County Fair which replaces the long-running Another new addition to the fair Board Committee at 7 a.m. Aug. 5, Gnarly Barley Brew Festival. will be an expanded midway with and the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Instead of an afternoon ticketed space for another five to six rides SEE FAIR, PAGE 9

8 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

FAIR from page 8

Cowboys Association) Rodeo Aug. 4-6. The rodeo, a ticketed event, will feature bullfighters Dusty Tuckness and Nathan Harp, Mutton Bustin’ all three nights and the presentation of the Larimer County Fair & Rodeo Queen on Aug. 6.

“The rodeo action is superb. ...

We’re a stopping place for all the good cowboys to stop here in Larimer County,” Witt said.

The fair also will present a few specialty shows, such as the Kid’s Fishing Tank of 2,000 trout to teach about catch-and-release practices, the MooU Guided Livestock Tours of the barn animals, the Critter Fitter Program about animal grooming and the Pony Express Pony Rides & Petting Zoo. There will be other attractions like the Stilt Circus, the Extreme Dogs show of dog sports and Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel.

The fair will culminate with the Larimer County Junior Livestock Sale on Aug. 7 with the complimentary barbecue buyers’ dinner at 5 p.m.

THE RANCH EVENTS COMPLEX / Loveland Reporter-Herald

The Larimer County Fair featured about 20 rides during the carnival in 2018, presented by Carnival America. This year, there will be another five to six new rides.

of the fair,” Ashby said. “People can get in and see the amazing projects.”

Youth and adults can enter different competitions in open class, such as baked and canned products, garden flowers, and fine arts and THE FAIR VENDORS crafts, displayed in the First NationAND 4-H PROJECTS al Bank Building. The competition A fair couldn’t be complete withis open to residents in and outside out food, craft, clothing and other of the county and is free to enter. vendors, set up in the First National Larimer County 4-H, the largest Bank North Hall and on the courtprogram in the state, also competes yard. This year, there will be about in various project areas. Youths 20 booths of classic fair food and a involved in the county’s 4-H clubs few local twists such as Rocky compete in more than 50 projects in Mountain oysters. the areas of family and consumer The final piece of the fair will sciences, livestock and companion involve hundreds of projects creat- animals, and general in things like photography, woodworking and ed by 4-H youths and community members who compete for ribbons ceramics. The stationary projects are shown for public viewing in the and recognition.

“The things they show and exhib- McKee Community Building, and the animal projects and shows like it at the fair are the heart and soul

dog agility and gymkhana will be in the other buildings and arenas at The Ranch.

“There’s a lot to do and see and reconnect with agriculture when you come to the fair,” Ashby said.

“Fairs in general have survived

HALF PRICE TO JOIN

because people want a connection to where their food comes from. ...

It’s a slice of America, it really is, and a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, exploring some of the traditional American things.”

*

I now know that putting yourself forward for ‘me’ time is worth it.

KAREN - Curves Member

CORN ROAST from page 7 gusto.

Thousands of ears of corn are roasted inside the husks, but who shucks the thousands that are not?

Community members, through a fun and friendly competition that kicks off the festival on Friday night.

Up to 35 business teams race to see how many ears of corn they can shuck clean in mere minutes in Friday night’s competition. Oth-

er highlights of the event include a pancake breakfast, parade, cornhole tournament and live music throughout the festival as well as activities for all ages.

“It just draws families,” Daly said of one of Loveland’s largest festivals, which has been held for decades, harkening back to the city’s agricultural industry. “That’s really something. We’re really excited about that family draw.”

*Enrollment fee and monthly fees vary by location. Offer requires joining same day as first visit for a minimum 12-month recurring billing contract.

Valid for new Curves members only. Not valid with any other offer or discount.

Valid at participating locations only. No cash value. Offer expires 8/18/19.

© 2019 CURVES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (1907)

*12-week trial membership includes Rapid Results program. Cost of food (avg. $158 US/$175 CAD/wk) and shipping, if applicable, not included. Valid only for new members at participating centers, JCA, and at jennycraig.com. No cash value. Offer ends 8/16/19. Not valid with any other membership offers or discounts. One offer per person. **Discount split over 12 consecutive weeks with weekly full menu purchase (avg. $158 US/$175 CAD). Any shipping costs are extra. Valid only at participating centers and JCA. Not valid at jennycraig.com. New members only. No cash value. Offer ends 8/16/19. Must redeem coupons by 11/1/19.

Not valid with any other food offers or discounts. One offer per person.

Jenny Craig® is a registered trademark. Used under license. (1907)

jennycraig.com

Locally Owned & Operated

280 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538 • 970.669.9400 CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 9

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Jesse Lawson, left, and Jason Huntington, right, both from Loveland, check out the engine of Dave Fahrnbruch’s 1967 Chevy Camaro during the 2016 Road Knights Blue Light Special Car Show at The Ranch in Loveland.

Car show promises hot rods galore

BY CRAIG YOUNG

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Loveland’s Road Knights car club doesn’t charge $25 to enter a car in its annual Blue Light Special rod run. The price is $24.99, a nod to Kmart.

For spectators, the price to ogle more than 600 classic cars, built in 1972 or before, is just $5, which typically brings about 2,500 to the show. This year the event will take place Aug. 23-25 at The Ranch fairgrounds and events complex in Loveland.

“We were and we still are one of

the cheapest rod runs around for what we provide and do,” said longtime Road Knights member Alan Guffey.

Guffey said car club members refer to the event as a rod run.

“If you’re in the street rodding circuit, it’s a rod run. If you’re into just looking at cars, it’s a car show,” he said.

Guffey also offered some definitions for the vehicles that will be displayed at the show, 99 percent of which are American-made, he said. Street rods are cars that were built in 1948 or earlier, and street

10 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

machines are from 1949 to 1972.

The model years are the only restrictions on the cars, he said.

“There are a lot of beautiful vehicles there. Some of them are owner-built, some of them are built by companies … and some are not even restored; they’re like barnfind vehicles,” he said.

“That’s what’s nice about the street rod industry. People build them to suit themselves,” he said.

Many of the 600-700 cars and pickups at the rod run are displayed every year, and many are SEE CAR SHOW, PAGE 11

Blue Light Special What: 36th annual Blue Light Special car show sponsored by the Road Knights Car Club of Loveland.

When: Spectators are welcome 2-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Cost: $5 per day for spectators; $24.99 to display a car.

More info: Go to roadknightscarclub.com, where a registration form is available.

CAR SHOW from page 10

there for the first time, Guffey said. Enthusiasts from all over the country bring their cars, he said.

“They may be on a tour or an extended road trip, and they will pick out several rod runs they will go to,” he said. “A lot of them are driven, and a lot of them are trailered.”

“The people who are involved with the Road Knights are drivers.

We don’t trailer many vehicles,” he added.

The event’s three days give participants and spectators plenty of hours to check out the cars parked on the fields and parking lots at The Ranch, but the Road Knights also schedule entertainment.

Friday night, the band Rodney James and the High Gear Daddies will entertain with rockabilly tunes starting at 5 p.m.; on Saturday, the schedule includes a tour of local rod shops at 9 a.m., a poker walk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., games for children and adults and a horseshoes competition from 1 to 3 p.m., and the traditional fan favorite at 4 p.m., the blow-up car.

For that event, someone donates a motor that is installed in a 1939 Chevy. It is filled with coolant and oil, and “it’s run at a high rpm with no load: We set the throttle and walk away,” Guffey said.

The result is a blown engine, sometimes after less than a minute, and sometimes after as long as 30 minutes, he said.

The event also features vendors with food and car-related merchan-

Reporter-Herald file

Jr. Davis, left, Larry Malisani and Marcos Nira hang out next to Davis’ 1934 5-window coupe while attending the 2013 Blue Light Special Car Show. dise, he said.

During the show, the participants who enter cars in the event get to vote on their favorites in four categories: Top 10 Street Rods, Top 10 Street Machines, Top Three Trucks, and Under 25 — the best vehicle exhibited by a young car buff.

Road Knights members also give out some awards, Guffey said, including one awarded by the family of Dean Buhler, a co-founder of the club who died last year.

Awards are announced at 1 p.m.

Sunday.

The 36th annual Blue Light Spe-

cial runs from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; and 9 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.

Guffey said he has three cars that would qualify for the rod run,

and he hasn’t decided which one he’ll enter this year: his 1967 Ford Fairlane,’65 Corvette or ’34 Ford three-window coupe.

“That’s my favorite car of all of them,” he said of the Ford coupe.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT We bill Medicare, Medicaid, & most private insurances Sales – Rentals – Installation – Service Wheelchairs • Power Wheelchairs Walkers • Stairlifts Hospital Beds • Scooters Ramps • Vehicle Lifts Certified ATPs on staff WE RENT SCOOTERS!

MICHAEL BRIAN / Loveland Reporter-Herald

A 1939 Chevy, being used for a blown engine demonstration, spews smoke and fluid as Loveland Fire Rescue Authority firefighters Vinny Knickelbein, left, and Kurt Willson, right, keep a watchful eye during the 2016 Road Knights Blue Light Special Car Show at The Ranch in Loveland.

493 N. Denver Ave. Denver Avenue Commercial Park Loveland, CO 80537

(970) 461-8400

Family owned and operated since 2004

CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 11

THUNDER IN THE ROCKIES

Busted Knuckles Stunt Show performer “King” Tony Jones drifts his Harley at the 2018 Thunder in the Rockies motorcycle rally.

NOT PROVIDED / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Rally delivers ‘a sensory experience’

BY JOHN VAHLENKAMP

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Now a Loveland Labor Day weekend tradition, Thunder in the Rockies has the look, feel and sound of a boisterous motorcycle rally, with live music, dozens of vendors, food, beer, bikinis and thousands of bikers.

Its concerts — Hairball on Saturday, Aug. 31, Queensryche & Dokken on Sunday, Sept. 1 — are JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald intended for an 18-and-over audiStunt riders Eric Rocks, left, and “King” Tony Jones, right, jump over audience ence; the rally offers a cigar trailer members on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the Busted Knuckles and free bikini bike washes; Miss Stunt Show at the 2016 Thunder in the Rockies motorcycle rally in Loveland.

Thunder in the Rockies will be

12 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

crowned Saturday night; its bar has been renamed the Twisted TITR Saloon; and the Flaunt Girls, whose promotional image readers won’t be seeing here, will perform throughout the weekend.

But what host Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson bills as the biggest motorcycle rally in Colorado also is a place for people just to hang out with food and music and even take a test drive.

“You’re always going to have diehard riders,” said Mechelle Stanton, event manager for Thunder Moun-

SEE THUNDER, PAGE 13

THUNDER from page 12

tain. “A lot of our attendance is doctors, lawyers, family members. …

We don’t care if you’re on two, three or four wheels; we just want everyone to have a great experience. You don’t have to ride a Harley to come to Thunder in the Rockies.”

Tens of thousands come. Now in its 15th year, Thunder in the Rockies is expected to draw more than 50,000 to the Harley dealership’s 16-acre site in east Loveland for its Friday-through-Monday run.

“We usually draw from Kansas, Nebraska, California, the Dakotas, Texas, from everywhere,” Stanton said. “We’ve even drawn from the East Coast, people who make this their destination location every year.”

There’s so much going on at Thunder, organizers hadn’t pinned down an exact schedule by press time.

Entry to the grounds is free, although the concert tickets run from $25 to $50, depending on when they’re purchased and how close to the stage you want to be.

This year, attendees also can see the Busted Knuckles motorcycle stunt show as well as Colorado State Patrol troopers demonstrating their skills. Saturday is the annual bike show, sponsored by Law

Tigers. On Sunday, Thunder in the Rockies will host a ride that benefits Realities for Children, a Northern Colorado nonprofit that works to support at-risk youths and children in abusive situations.

“The biker community, or ‘family’ as we call it, cares about the same things as every other hopeful society member,” Stanton said. “We’re passionate about children, the military and first responders.”

Other rides are just for fun, with organizers suggesting regional treks such as the Peak to Peak Highway and Trail Ridge Road, Stanton said.

Then there is the Harley-Davidson 2020 Demo Fleet. Anyone with a valid motorcycle endorsement may test-drive one of the new models. And this year, the Vanderhall Autocycle will be available for test drives. This three-wheeled “autocycle,” which Stanton said “has the comforts of a car,” can be test-driven by any driver with a valid driver’s JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald license.

Drew May, announcer for the Busted Knuckles Stunt Show, gives a thumbs-up Still, the main attraction to Thunafter the performance at the 2016 Thunder in the Rockies Bike Rally in Loveder in the Rockies, Stanton said, is land. the overall experience.

“It’s a sensory experience,” she said. “We have … something for everybody. … It’s become such a staple in Loveland and Colorado.”

Get up to $2,055

via a Visa® prepaid card by mail when you purchase select KitchenAid brand appliances* Visit Kitchenaid.com/100YearEvent for details

JULY 25–SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

NOT PROVIDED / Loveland Reporter-Herald

Colorado State Patrol Major Tim Keeton shows of a patrol bike to enthusiasts at the 2018 Thunder in the Rockies motorcycle rally.

Jim & Kathy Day Owner

J DAYS APPLIANCE & MATTRESS

#1 “Best Appliance Store” SALES – SERVICE – PARTS FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIANS

132 E. 7th Street – Downtown Loveland

970-669-1357

Family owned & operated since 1994 • Financing Available • No Credit Check

CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 13

NEWWESTFEST

Northern Colorado takes ‘music holiday’

BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO

Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Northern Colorado is home to no shortage of opportunities to enjoy live music. But not many of them offer the chance to see nationally known headliners such as Pat Benatar and The Fray — for free.

For 15 years, that’s been the unique promise and appeal of Fort Collins Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, which brings together big name bands with a massive lineup of Colorado musicians in Old Town Fort Collins for one of the state’s biggest annual music blowouts.

But even by the lofty long established standards of NewWestFest, this year’s lineup packs some particularly bright star power.

That’s thanks in large part to Saturday headliner Bonnie Raitt, who will play hits such as “Something To Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” from her five-decade blues career to the Mountain Avenue stage.

She’ll be joined at this year’s NewWestFest by Friday night headliners “Tank and the Bangas,” a New Orleans band that has developed a following by mixing rhythmic soul and R&B with elements of rock, gospel and funk, and Andrew Bird, a multiinstrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter known for his unique style of violin playing accompanied loop and effect pedals, whistling and his voice.

However, the festival’s appeal comes not only from these headliners but the diverse group of Colorado performers, who range from established veterans such as Hazel Miller Band to up and comers like rock and blues performer AJ Fullerton.

“The festival lineup reflects the vibrancy of the Colorado music scene,” said festival organizer Greta Cornett.

“Our 2019 artists cross boundaries of genre and language and show audiences the connective

Start times: Aug. 9, 5 p.m.; Aug. 9, 11 a.m.; Aug. 11, 11 a.m Where: Multiple stages in Old Town Fort Collins More info: https:// www.bohemiannights.org/bohemiannights-at-newwestfest/lineup.html between.”

The festival is also kid friendly, with a kids stage that will host a variety of kid-centric performances and the Kids’ Music Adventure, a free interactive kids portion of the festival located in the courtyard in the southwest corner of Library Park.

To make getting around the festival simpler, Cornett said Bohemian Nights also released a new mobile app earlier this spring that makes it “easy to navigate the festival via an interactive GPS map.”

Users can also customize their festival schedule by saving artists to a personalized lineup.

“I’d suggest downloading it beforehand to make the most of your time exploring the festival,” Cornett said.

Attendees can also view the full festival lineup online.

For Cornett and thousands of other fans, Bohemian Nights is a special community event that transcends the music on its stages even as it keeps it its central focus.

“Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest feels like a holiday — a day on the calendar each year when you get to gather together the people you love and celebrate something meaningful to you,” she said. “In this case, what we’re celebrating together — artBOHEMIAN FOUNDATION / Courtesy photo ists, music fans, community members — is local music and Bonnie Raitt is the Saturday night headliner at the 2019 Bohemian Nights at our Northern Colorado commuNewWestFest. nity.” power of music in so many differ- rado scene, from Americana to Bohemian Nights at NewWestent ways. Audiences can expect electronica to bluegrass to Fest runs Aug. 9-11 in Old Town Fort Collins. to hear from all parts of our Colo- hip-hop and everything in

14 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

VALLEY 5000

Race offers same route, new T-shirts Competitors begin the 2018 Valley 5000 at Mehaffey Park in Loveland.

BY HANS PETER

REPORTER-HERALD STAFF WRITER

This year, the Valley 5000 expects more than 300 runners and walkers, many of whom gear up for an old route, a new T-shirt design and a new push to help those in need.

Sweetheart City Racing coordinator Sara McWatters told the Reporter-Herald that the 5K race scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 9 will feature a food drive to help fill the House of Neighborly Service pantry.

The Valley 5000 route encompasses Mehaffey Park and a neighborhood in the valley of west Loveland, and McWatters said it offers up some impressive vistas.

“This one’s gonna be pretty similar to last year’s,” McWatters said about the route. “Everybody loved the new route last year. … You actually get to enjoy part of the valley.”

Just over 250 people registered for the 5K last year.

Also new this year, the Valley 5000 will feature Dratz Brewing Company at an updated beer garden location placed between the two pavilions at Mehaffey.

McWatters said if the route and the beer aren’t enough to get people laced up, a new T-shirt and design might do the trick.

“The people who race every year were bummed they didn’t get a T-shirt last year,” she said. “So we made sure to bring them back with a new design.”

That design can be seen at the Sweetheart City Racing website, where people can also register for the race.

McWatters said participants and spectators are encouraged to bring items to help stock HNS, which assists families in need during situational crises. Those items include nonperishable foods like peanut butter, canned tuna, beans, rice, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and soup. Toiletries such as razors and deodorant are also needed.

A children’s 1-mile race hosted

Loveland Reporter-Herald file

Valley 5000 When: 7 p.m. Aug. 9 (Kids race starts at 6 p.m.)

Where: Mehaffey Park, 3285 W. 22nd St., Loveland

“Everybody loved the new route last year. … You actually get to enjoy part of the valley.”

Your Home Away From Home - RV- Rentals RV Rentals - RV- Storage RV Storage - Parts & Service - Parts & Service

- Propane Refills/Station - Propane Refills/Station Used RV Sales - - New & Rentals - New & Used RV Sales authorized dealer

www.rvworldllc.com

www.rvworldllc.com

Sara McWatters Sweetheart City Racing coordinator by the UCHealth Healthy Kids Club will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 9.

Regular registration for the race costs $30 for adults and $25 for those under 15 years old. “Procrastinator” registrations (after July 31) will cost $35 and $30 respectively, and race day registration will cost $40 and $35 respectively.

4401 EAST PROSPECT RD • FT COLLINS 970-493-5400 CELEBRATE AUGUST • JULY 28, 2019 • 15

2018

46

16 • JULY 28, 2019 • CELEBRATE AUGUST

46