Head to Buena Vista’s Gold Rush Days this Weekend and Pair it With AVA’s Granite Via Ferrata

Looking for the perfect Colorado weekend escape?  Look no further and cruise on down to Buena Vista for the annual Buena Vista Gold Rush Days! Held August 11th to 12th in McPhelemy Park, this fun filled weekend as something for everyone and will be enjoyed by all ages.

The Gold Rush Days will feature over 100 Arts & Craft booths and tons of amazing food booths with local and non-local vendors offering everything from BBQ, sandwiches, tacos, hotdogs & brats, ice cream, smoothies, shaved ice, kettle corn and popcorn.  The festival will also have a beer garden where guest can try a wide variety of beers. The festival also will have historic gunfight re-enactments. For the kids, there are plenty of activities for them to indulge in. Kids can learn to paddle a kayak, bungee jump, get their face painted, and participate in the infamous toilet seat race.

The races are the real highlight of the festival. First there is the Duck Race. Here you buy a ticket that is assigned to a rubber duck. If your duck crosses the finish line first you win $500, and if your duck comes in last there is $250 for you.

The next big race is the burro race. In this competition a runner is teamed up with a burro and together must run the race with legitimate mining gear.  This 13 mile race is the 3rd leg in the historic triple crown burro race.  Each evening will also have live music for great local musicians and national touring acts.

And while you’re in Buena Vista be sure to check out AVA’s Granite Via Ferrata to complete your weekend.  A Via Ferrata is a mountain route equipped with fixed ladders, cables, and bridges in order to be accessible to climbers and walkers.  There are only 3 Via Ferratas in the state of Colorado and only a handful in the country.

On AVA’s Granite Via Ferrata, you’ll ascend crags, and rappel above the Arkansas River Valley. From iron rungs and hanging bridges to cliffside trails, you’ll have a wide variety of features to navigate over the course of these tours. Your friendly guides will help you through each section of the Via Ferrata while providing any assistance you might need and plenty of entertainment. The best part is AVA provides all technical equipment for your tour, including a helmet, climbing harness, and the specially designed safety device that will anchor you to the cliff walls. You are responsible for bringing sturdy, closed-toed shoes and comfortable, athletic clothing. Be sure to check the weather forecast so you can bring additional layers or rain gear as needed. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended.

So be sure to clear your calendar this weekend and head down to Buena Vista for a few days you will never forget, with great music and food at the Gold Rush Days festival and fun and excitement with AVA’s Via Ferrata!