For Immediate Release | May 8, 2017
Contact: Casey Willis, Special Events Manager
970-748-4032 | cwillis@avon.org

Town of Avon Announces an Abundance of 2017 Summer Activities & Special Events at Harry A. Nottingham Park & the Main Street Mall

Concerts, Festivals, Children’s Theater, Sporting Events and Activities, and the July 3^rd Salute to the USA extravaganza will be in the center of Avon this summer

www.avon.org/specialevents

Avon, CO – Just as summer excitement builds, the Town of Avon announces its full 2017 event schedule.  Harry A. Nottingham Park and the spectacular Avon Pavilion will again be the prominent gathering centers for both every day enjoyment and major outdoor events.  A significant upgrade to the volleyball courts, expansion of Avon’s uniquely wonderful beach, and nearby disc golf course are expected to be daily draws to the park.  SUP and paddleboat rentals will return with the lake open to all SUP enthusiasts beginning Memorial Day Weekend.  Lacrosse tournaments, Saturday yoga at the Pavilion, the open swim and Dunk-N-Dash series, plus Disc Dogs Competition and triathlon stagings, all bring vibrant participant and spectator occasions to the park.  
 
Major events kick off with Ride Avon First on May 20^th, when Avon celebrates its trails and paths. Walking Mountain’s will start the day with educational hiking tours followed by festivities in the park. A portable kids’ mountain bike course will be open and bike competitions scheduled throughout the day on the massive portable pumptrack.  The Find Avon First exploration will be part bike race, part scavenger hunt. All ages will be welcome and prizes for the best costumes and solving the hunt riddles collected from around Town will be awarded.  KZYR will provide entertainment at the event, which will also offer food, beer, wine and retail vendors.
 
The Missoula Children’s Theatre will present three stage performances of The Tortoise Versus the Hare, on Friday, June 16^th and Saturday, June 17^th, after a full week of rehearsals by area youth. Participant registration for this free program is currently available through the Avon Recreation Center and all are welcome to attend the sure to be smashingly entertaining performances.
 
Then it’s a British Invasion, when the Cover Rock Music Festival brings, to the Avon Pavilion, one-of-a-kind “Tribute Bands” celebrating the sounds of The Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton.  Tickets for the June 23^rd and 24^th festival, with fine food and beverages, are on sale now.
 
Avon will wrap up June as the host town for Stages 3, 4 and 5 of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies, which offers “committed amateur riders the opportunity to compete, with a professional level of off-the-bike support’ throughout Colorado. The bike tour is unprecedented in the United States and hails from venues in the Alps and Pyrenees.  Riders will arrive to a hearty Avon welcome on June 26^th, with the 11-mile individual time trial on June 27^th.  The riders will climb from Nottingham Park to Wildridge, up a challenging 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Nottingham Park will serve as headquarters for the event, with a finish celebration for the time trial.  Music, pumptrack, food, beer and wine will mix with the athlete village staging.  Riders bid Avon adieu early on June 28^th.
 
An Avon tradition, the 31^st annual Salute to the USA will take place the evening of July 3^rd.  The Lauren Michaels Band will start the evening’s celebrations, with the 44-piece Colorado Pops Orchestra performing for the first time at the Pavilion.  Face painters, stilt walkers, balloon sculptors, magicians and Kids Zone fun will be followed by the most amazingly stellar fireworks display Colorado has to offer!   Beer, beverages and a large selection of food options will line the main field grounds.
 
Free concerts begin with Pop-up performances at the Main Street Mall every Friday afternoon, with string quartets, Spanish guitars and a mixed trio, on various evenings.  The program features well know classical music compositions, with contemporary pieces punctuating the selections.
 
The Avon Live! Concert series will offer four exceptional evenings of free live music, conversation, food and beverages, in the park.  Davina & the Vagabonds, with The Iguanas begin the series on August 2^nd.  August 16^th will be a benefit for Speak Up Reach Out, with Ages & Ages opening the evening.  The headliner is yet to be announced.  August 23^rd headlines with Reckless Kelly.  Bands are yet to be announced for the final August 30^th show.    
 
AEG Presents – Rocky Mountains hosts Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at the Avon Pavilion on Sunday, July 23^rd. The Texas-based band is a most beloved group and fuses elements of Americana, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.  Tickets for the perfect ending to a summer weekend are on sale now.

A two night series, of exceptional contemporary dance, presented by the Vail International Dance Foundation, will be at the Pavilion this summer.  Dancing in the Park, welcomes the Colorado Ballet, known for its depth of repertory and versatility in artistry.  On August 9^th, Wonderbound, which has been named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”, will perform. These free evenings of incomparable dance are supported by the Town in recognition of the importance of offering an array of art and cultural productions at the Pavilion to deepen experiences in the arts in Avon’s beautiful natural environment. 

The inaugural year of Tenth Mountain Storytellers Festival brings to the Pavilion a unique, enriching and very fun cultural gathering.  The August 18^th and 19^th event, with tickets on sale now, will feature storytellers from all walks for life.  Listen and learn from renowned Storytellers from Spark off Rose (LA), Truth Be Told (Boulder), The Moth, as well as Grammy and Tony award winning writers – all in our picturesque mountain town.  A Master Class with Tricia Rose Burt is available for an extra fee.
 
The Zoppe’ Italian Circus brings a 500-seat big top into the park for three ticketed shows on September 8th, 9^th, and 10^th.  The one-ring circus honors the best history of the Old-World Italian tradition, starring Nino the Clown, with acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, and plenty of audience participation.  Tickets are on sale now.
 
The 2017 Man of the Cliff is expected back in mid-October for a lumberjack/jill competition that benefits First Descents! Start growing your beards and working those muscles in time for this exceptional gathering.
 

FULL DETAILS FOR ALL EVENTS
& THE FULL SUMMER SCHEDULE MAY BE FOUND AT 
www.avon.org/specialevents
 
 
Plan to come early to all free events and enjoy Nottingham Park.  
Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are permitted.
Food and beverages may also be purchased at the event.
 
PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUMMER!
IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT