Many Festivals On Tap During Grand Junction Weekend Of Events September 6-8

Now that school is in full swing, one might think that weekend activities have slowed down. Well, think again.

September in Grand Junction tends to be busy on the weekends, especially with fall-related festivals. Here's what's coming up this weekend:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

• 9th Annual Mile High International Exhibition on display at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, 1803 North 7th Street in Grand Junction. For more information, call 243-7337.
• 5th Annual Calabash Gourd Festival takes place at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Avenue in Grand Junction. Join in on the festival from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a concert featuring Taliesin Rising (formerly Artica) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call 245-9030.
• The Museum of Western Colorado is celebrating their 26th Annual Dinosaur Days at Dinosaur Journey, 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita. Friday’s activities include the Feast of Skulls Fundraiser from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The fundraiser is catered by Cowboy and the Rose. For more information, call 242-0971.
• CMU Maverick Hoedown is scheduled from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom & Patio, 1100 North Avenue in Grand Junction. In addition to dancing to a live country and western band, participants can enjoy a barbecue buffet, wine, and beer. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, visit www.coloradomesa.edu/hoedown/.
• The Theater Project will present the musical “South Pacific” at 7:00 p.m. at Grand Junction High School, 1400 North 5th Street in Grand Junction. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. For more information, call 261-5363.
• Banana’s Fun Park is having a “Teen Bash” from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Banana’s, 2469 River Road in Grand Junction. The event is geared towards students in grade 6 through 9. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, call 243-9750.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

• The Western Colorado Dragway will have a Final Points Race at the Dragway, 115 32 Road in Grand Junction. For detailed information, visit www.wcdra.com.
• 9th Annual Mile High International Exhibition on display at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, 1803 North 7TH Street in Grand Junction. For more information, call 243-7337.
• The Western Colorado Shrine Club will host an Open Golf Tournament at Adobe Creek Golf Course, 876 18 ½ Road in Fruita. The event has an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $85 per person, which includes green fees, cart, 2 drink coupons, awards, luncheon (provided by Uncle Nubs), and a bucket of practice balls. Proceeds will benefit the Western Colorado Shrine Club Hospital Fund. For more information, call 243-8477.
• The Museum of Western Colorado is celebrating their 26th Annual Dinosaur Days at Dinosaur Journey, 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita. Saturday’s activities include a Fruitadens 5K Family Fun Run at 8:00 a.m., and a Dinosaur Days Expedition Quest from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 242-0971.
• Club 20 will have its Fall Meeting from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main Street in Grand Junction. Join in on learning the implications of the Affordable Care Act. Congressman Scott Tipton is scheduled as the lunch speaker. Cost is $25, which includes lunch. For more information, call 242-3264.
• 5th Annual Calabash Gourd Festival takes place at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Avenue in Grand Junction. Join in on the festival from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 245-9030.
• Grand Junction Parks & Recreation is sponsoring the “Filthy 5K and Filthy Kid” at 9:00 a.m. at Matchett Park, 2844 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Test your skills in what is considered the dirtiest and zaniest race in the Grand Valley. Cost is $35 for ages 14 and up, and $30 for kids ages 8 to 14. 30% of each registration will benefit United Way of Mesa County. For more information, call 264-3866.
• Grand Junction Harley Davidson, partnered with American Roots Records, will host the Monument Rally Music Festival from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Fruita Civic Center Park, 325 East Aspen Avenue in Fruita. The event is aimed at bringing bike enthusiasts and music lovers from surrounding areas into the community for this free one day event. For more information, call 361-6095, or visit http://arrdraft2.weebly.com/monument-rally-music-festival.html
• The Grand Mesa Poker Run kicks off at 9:00 a.m. at Randy’s Southside Diner, 3210 I-70 Business Loop in Clifton. There will be 5 stops along the route before finishing up at the VFW on Pitkin Avenue at about 3:00 p.m. Admission is $10, and proceeds from the poker run will benefit troops and veterans. For more information, call 250-1174.
• In what is being considered the first ever African celebration on the Western Slope, the GJ African Festival will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run through 8:00 p.m. at Lincoln Park, 1340 Gunnison Avenue in Grand Junction. Activities include face-painting, mini soccer tourney, drum circles, local craft vendors, non-profits with presence in Africa, passport learning adventure, and a photography station. For more information, call 234-9751.
• Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse will host a parade through Downtown Grand Junction as part of Western Heritage Days. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m., and parade route is on Main Street from 9th to 1st Streets. For more information, call 433-8826.
• Colorado Mesa University and Sorter Construction present the “Mucked Up Desert Challenge” from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. just north of the airport off 27 ¼ Road in Grand Junction. Cost is $40 for adults and $25 for students. Proceeds from the M.U.D. Challenge will benefit the Colorado Mesa University’s Athletic Scholarship fund and the Grand Junction Fire Department. For more information, visit www.muckedupgj.com.
• The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention is sponsoring a “Walk to Prevent Suicide” at 10:30 a.m. at Canyon View Park, 24 Road and I-70 in Grand Junction. All proceeds will benefit the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation. For more information, visit www.afsp.org/walk.
• The Theater Project will present the musical “South Pacific” at 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Both performances are at Grand Junction High School, 1400 North 5th Street in Grand Junction. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. For more information, call 261-5363.
• The Roice-Hurst Human Society will host a fundraiser at 6:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. This 50th anniversary celebration will include a sit-down dinner, drink, music and a silent auction with a rustic, casual theme. All proceeds will benefit the homeless cats and dogs at Roice-Hurst. Tickets are available at Fisher's Liquor Barn, Chow Down Pet Supplies and online at www.RHHumaneSociety.com. For more information, call 434-7337.
• The Colorado Mesa University Theater Department will present “Lilia!” at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Performing Arts Center (Robinson Theater), 1100 North Avenue in Grand Junction. “Lilia!” is a one-woman show currently touring North America. The show is an autobiographical play that portrays the story of Lila Skala, a woman who overcame extraordinary odds. Tickets are available at the CMU Box Office before the show. For more information, call 248-1604.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

• 9th Annual Mile High International Exhibition on display at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, 1803 North 7th Street in Grand Junction. For more information, call 243-7337.
• Palisade Sunday Market will once again take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 3rd and Main in Palisade. For more information, call 464-5602.
• This event brings whole new meaning to the phrase “Dog Days of Summer.” The Lincoln Park-Moyer Pool is hosting its 9th Annual Dog Days from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Up to four dogs (belonging to the same family) can swim for $12. During this event, the pool will be available to canines ONLY – no humans will be allowed to swim during this time. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Roice-Hurst Humane Society. For more information, call 254-3866.