DURANGO TO SILVERTON
Summer - D&SNG
Daily excursions operate May 2 through October 31, 2009.

HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
Summer - Durango
Known as "The Boulevard," this historic residential area was originally platted in 1880 to locate homes upslope and away from the wholsale and business enterprises closer to the river. The Boulevard along East Third was designed for carriage traffic to pass in front of homes, with the street divided by a tree-lined median. Now a National Register Historic District, the street showcases a full spectrum of housing styles built between the 1880s and the 1930s. Beautiful examples of houses from Greek Revival to Queen Anne and from Spanish Colonial to Mission and English Cottage are represented. Churches and schools were also built on The Boulevard as the community strove for the middle-class respectability that many citizens had left behind. Financial support provided by the National Historic Preservation Act and the city of Durango. www.durango.org.

BAR D CHUCKWAGON SUPPERS
Summer - Durango
Performing nightly all summer long, come rain or come shine, the Bar D Wranglers present their Great Western Stage Show with songs of cowboys and the Old West, lively instrumentals and comedy that's sure to please. Supper, served at 7:30 p.m., features roast beef or chicken with all the chuckwagon fixin's - like beans, bakers and corn on the cob. On the premises, visitors can find a mini-Bar D train for kids, a blacksmith shop, a chocolate factory, a gift shop and more. Chapel in the Pines is available for weddings. Reservations are required. www.bardchuckwagon.com.

ANIMAS MUSEUM
Summer - Durango
Owned and operated by the La Plata County Historical Society, the museum is located in north Durango just a few blocks off Main Avenue. In the restored 1904 Animas City School building, this charming local museum collects, preserves and interprets the history and culture of La Plata County. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from May through October, the museum offers exhibits and programs including Railroad Boomtown, Durango Saddles & Riders and the Joy Cabin. The latest exhibit is Durango's Strangest Shootout: The Day the Marshall Killed the Sheriff. www.animasmuseum.org.

IRON HORSE BICYCLE CLASSIC
May 21-25 - Durango to Silverton
Benefiting Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic started in 1972 when 36 riders celebrated the first spring run of the D&SNG by racing the train to Silverton. In 37 years, the Iron Horse has become one of the classic bicycle events in the country. With more than 2,000 participants and a weekend packed with events, the IHBC is a treasured Memorial Day tradition. Races include the McDonald's Citizen Tour to Silverton, 50 miles on the closed highway that starts with the whistle of the train. The professionals race 47 miles in the Coca-Cola Road Race. New this year is the Quarter Horse to Purgatory, a 25-mile ride from Durango to Durango Mountain Resort. The Morehart-Murphy Criterium offers a fast, challenging course in Historic Downtown Durango. More events, plus a Main Avenue concert and bike and gear swap, make for an action-packed weekend. www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com.

SOUTHERN UTE BEAR DANCE POWWOW
May 22-23 - Ignacio
The annual social bear dance is held in the spring, according to some elders, around the time when the first thunder is heard. The weekend event, held at the Sun Ute Community Center on the Southern Ute Reservation, features a gourd dance and grand entry parade with categories such as fancy shawl, grass dance, jingle dress and traditional. Drums, music, prizes, food and more. www.southern-ute.nsn.us.

RIVERFEST
May 22-24 - Farmington, N.M.
The rivers are celebrated with a festival of music, fine arts, food, entertainment, 10K and 5K run/walk, riverside trail walks and river raft rides at River Reach Terrace.

VALLECITO FISHING TOURNAMENT
June 5-7 - Vallecito Lake
Bring family and friends to this two-day tourney. Fish fry and awards presentation.

FUN IN THE SUN
June 5-7 - Durango
Annual arts and crafts fair at Buckley Park.

MEN WHO GRILL
June 6 - Downtown Durango
Signature summertime grilling competition and "fun-raiser" for the Women's Resource Center.

XTERRA FOUR CORNERS
June 6 - Farmington, N.M.
Recognized as the consummate individual challenge for outdoor adventure athletes, this event attracts competitors from triathlon, mountain biking, trail running and adventure racing.

LA PLATA QUILTER'S GUILD
June 7 - Durango
The 10th annual auction of small quilts at Rotary Park to benefit Project Linus, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of La Plata County, Adaptive Sports Association, Tri-County Head Start and the Women's Resource Center.

FIESTA DAY
June 7 - Aztec, N.M.
Bring the family for parades, a carnival, food and product vendors, and arts and crafts.

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
June 12 - Three Springs Plaza
Free showing of Kung Fu Panda with pre-entertainment by Mysto the Magician.

RELAY FOR LIFE
June 12-13 - Fort Lewis College
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's fundraiser for fighting cancer and raising awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. An overnight event, teams must have a member on the track for 24 hours during the event. Participants, who collect pledges, camp out at the field facilities at Fort Lewis College, taking turns walking or running the track and supporting racers with food and drinks. Supporters say everyone in the community benefits from being able to participate in the fight against cancer. www.relayforlife.org/relay.

THE PLOT THICKENS, OR, IT'S ALL IN THE SCRIPT
June 12-13, 19-20 - Pagosa Springs
Summer Starlight Series melodrama within a melodrama presented by The Springs Theatre Company.

ANIMAS RIVER DAYS
June 12-14 - Durango
Whitewater festival and annual celebration of the river with kayak, canoe, river races and a river parade.

ANIMAS MUSEUM FLAG DAY FESTIVAL
June 13 - Durango
Spring arts and crafts bazaar featuring handcrafted work of local artisans.

WINE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 13 - Durango
Sample dozens of fine wines and beers, listen to great jazz while overlooking the beautiful Animas River from Rivergate Urban Park. Door prizes, silent and live auctions with proceeds to Alternative Horizons.

FARMERS MARKET
June 15-September 30 - Mancos
Locally grown and raised foods, entertainment and vendors every Thursday in Boyle Park.

OUTDOOR SUMMER THEATER
June 18-August 1 - Farmington, N.M.
Sandstone Productions brings Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. Thursday through Sunday evenings at Lions Wilderness Park.

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
June 19 - Three Springs Plaza
Free showing of Wizard of Oz with pre-entertainment by Catch it Quick Juggling.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
June 19-21 - D&SNG
Meet Sir Topham Hatt at this fun-filled event with live music, storytelling and more.

DAMES AT SEA
June 19-August 15 - Henry Strater Theatre
Set sail for a hilarious journey back to the innocence of abygone era in this high-spirited spoof of the movie musical of the 1930s.

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
June 26 - Three Springs Plaza
Free showing of Madagascar 2 with pre-entertainment by Discovery Museum Solar Roller Activity Center.

RENAISSANCE FAIR
June 27-28 - Mancos
Arts, crafts, food vendors, page school, chivalry, costume contests, gypsy camp and live entertainment. Party like it's 1599!

GALLERY SHOW
July 1-31 - Durango
A Shared Blanket's Wounaan Basketmakers of the Darien Rainforest; weaving water-tight baskets into fine art.

FREEDOM DAYS CELEBRATION
July 2-5 - Farmington, N.M.
Celebrate the fourth with a variety of special events including an auction, parade, triathlon and fireworks.

FOURTH OF JULY
July 4 - Southwest Colorado
As the nation salutes America's birthday, festivities in Durango include a footrace, pancake breakfast, a Main Avenue parade, beer garden, picnic in the park, street dance and fireworks. In nearby Silverton: bands, a fun run, rhubarb festival and water fight highlight the Fourth of July festivities. Mancos plans a town barbecue at the Bauer House, with food, music and beer. Fireworks at Boyle Park cap the special day. In Pagosa Springs, the Red Ryder Rodeo is at the fairgrounds, where a carnival is planned. A free concert in the park and fireworks end the evening. Bayfield is famed for its popular parade followed by a barbecue at Stephenson Park. Vallecito Lake's lighted-boat parade and fireworks over the reservoir offer an exciting option for celebrating the day.

INDEPENDENCE DAY EXPRESS
July 4 - D&SNG
Enjoy fourth of July afternoon festivities in Silverton and stay to watch the fireworks before your relaxing journey by starlight back to Durango.

ART ON THE ANIMAS
July 10-12 - Durango
Annual arts and crafts fair at Santa Rita Park.

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS
July 10-August 2 - DMR, Pagosa Springs
The 23rd annual classical music fest will feature Pasion!, this season with events at the festival tent at Durango Mountain Resort as well as BootJack Ranch in Pagosa Springs. Orchestra, chamber music and conservatory performances feature renowned musicians under the baton of music director and conductor Guillermo Figueroa. Special Pops Night benefit on July 22 in the festival tent at Duango Mountain Resort features live and silent auctions, dinner and a "swinging" concert from the festival orchestra featuring guest conductor Carl Topilow. www.musicinthemountains.com.

IGNACIO CAR CRUISE
July 11 - Ignacio
Cruise, park and shine, and chamber potluck at Shoshone Park.

ANIMAS RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL
July 11 - Aztec, N.M.
Blues, brews and barbecue at Riverside Park.

THE COMPLEAT WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)
July 17-18, 24-25 - Pagosa Springs
Summer Starlight Series show offers the audience a madcap romp through all 36 of Shakespeare's plays.

THE LONE RANGER
July 18 - D&SNG
America's favorite hero the Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto save the day! An exciting event with cowboys, horses, a train robbery, western-themed activities and live musical entertainment.

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS OUTDOOR CONCERT
July 20 - Three Springs Plaza
Special free concert with lunch provided by Digs Market Cafe. Proceeds to benefit Music in the Mountains Goes to School program.

FIESTA DAYS
July 21-26 - Durango
Sanctioned rodeos, team roping, barrel races, royalty coronation, barbecue, street dance and pie auction. Celebrating the cowboy in us all.

MANCOS DAYS
July 24-26 - Mancos
A reunion of Mancos Valley residents is planned at Boyle Park this year during the 50th annual Mancos Days celebration. Special games for children, dances, and food and beverages are planned at the park. www.mancosvalley.com.

LYLE LOVETT AND HIS LARGE BAND
July 27 - Fort Lewis College
One of the all-time great American singer/songwriters. Ray Dennison Football Field.

ART IN THE PARK
July 31-August 2 - Durango
Annual arts and crafts fair at Buckley Park.

NEW MEXICO SPECIAL OLYMPICS FOUR CORNERS INVITATIONAL
July 31-August 2 - Farmington, N.M.

PAUL FOLWELL STUDIO SHOW
July 31-August 3 - Durango
Paul's annual summer show of original oils, landscapes, skiers, musicians and dancers; Friday evening artist reception.

GALLERY SHOW
August 1-31 - Durango
A Shared Blanket's award-winning Navajo jewelry creations by Tommy Jackson; astounding pictorial inlaid scenes.

LA PLATA COUNTY FAIR
August 5-9 - Durango
Nearly a week's worth of celebrating the community's rural lifestyle will be held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. On 32 acres in the heart of Durango, the hosting facilities include a 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a rodeo arena with grandstand and livestock pens, and a 33,000-square-foot pavilion for livestock shows and horses. A carnival is planned during the fair, as well as the Demolition Derby, open-class livestock events, barbecues, bull riding competitions, produce displays and handicraft exhibits, including a popular quilt show. www.co.laplata.co.us.

OUT TO LUNCH
August 7 - Three Springs Plaza
Live music by Terry Rickard. Bring your own lunch or purchase from Digs Market Cafe.

LEFT IN THE BREEZE
August 7-8, 14-15 - Pagosa Springs
Melodramatic spoof of the 1939 Best Picture Oscar winner presented by the Springs Theatre Company.

CONNIE MACK WORLD SERIES
August 7-14 - Farmington, N.M.
Teams from the U.S. and Puerto Rico play in front of pro scouts and college officials in some of the best amateur baseball in the country.

SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR
August 10-15 - Farmington, N.M.
New Mexico's largest fair with livestock exhibits, fiddlers contest, parade, arts and crafts and more.

RAILFEST
August 13-16 - D&SNG
The 11th annual Railfest features special train excursions aboard the D&SNG, Goose #5 and Eureka & Palisades trains. WFDA-sanctioned D&SNGR World Balloon Elimination Championship!

CLIMB TO CONQUER CANCER
August 15 - Durango Mountain Resort
A benefit for the American Cancer Society.

SAN JUAN BREWFEST
August 29 - Downtown Durango
Durango Mountain Resort-sponsored event with proceeds donated to the United Way.

IGNACIO BIKE WEEK
August 31-September 7 - Ignacio
Tour the Four Corners on daily scenic rides; enjoy live entertainment, food, beer garden, poker runs, biker bull riding, demo rides, parade, hot bike showdown and much more.

SUGAR PINE RANCH MOTORCYCLE RALLY
September 3-7 - Mancos
Now in its third year, the venue for this annual Labor Day rally is a spectacular ranch just north of Mancos. Camping, vendors, live music, organized rides, bike show, biker rodeo and much more!

TOTAH FESTIVAL
September 5-6 - Farmington, N.M.
Handmade Native American arts and crafts and powwow.

OUT TO LUNCH
September 11 - Three Springs Plaza
Live music by Gigi Love. Bring your own lunch or purchase from Digs Market Cafe.

SOUTHERN UTE TRIBAL FAIR AND POWWOW
September 11-13 - Ignacio
Parade, games, exhibits, Native American dance.

IMOGENE PASS RUN
September 12 - Ouray to Telluride
Named for the 13,120-foot Imogene Pass that must be climbed, this 17.1-mile mountain race takes runners from Ouray, at 7,810 feet, to Telluride, elevation 8,820 feet. The mountainous traverse is famous for its rapidly changing weather conditions and its unsurpassed scenery along the way. A virtual rite of passage into the realm of true mountain running. www.imogenerun.com.

ROTARY AIR SHOW PLUS
September 12 - Farmington, N.M.
Thrilling aerobatics, stunt planes, wing walking, U.S. Army Special Forces parachute jumpers, U.S. Air Force A10’s, the historic Avenger WWII bomber and more. Featuring the Sons of Legend air daredevils! Four Corners Regional Airport.

PARADE OF HOMES
September 12-13, 19-20 - Durango
Two weekends near the peak of the fall foliage, leaf-peeping season offer tours of some of the area's most interesting homes, both large and glamorous or smaller and built green. Builders, architects, designers and other building-trades professionals showcase homes they have built or designed with opportunities for citizens to meet and brainstorm ideas. www.hbasc.com.

WHOLE EXPO
September 12-13 - Durango
Four Corners holistic alternatives fair at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

FALL GALLERY WALK
September 18 - Downtown Durango
A casual evening in Durango's finest galleries. See featured artists' special exhibits.

MANCOS VALLEY-MESA VERDE COUNTRY BALOON FESTIVAL
September 25-27 - Mancos
Balloon rides, night glows, Dog Days of Mancos, food vendors, live music in Boyle Park, fiesta dinner, wine tasting and much more!

FALL PHOTO SPECIAL
September 26-27 - D&SNG
Amateur and professional photographers' ride into the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest for a chance to capture the breathtaking autumn foliage.

HARVEST FESTIVAL
September 26-27 - Blanco, N.M.
Enjoy a multitude of bands, artists and concessions. Sign up early for the team Great Grape Stomp. Wines of the San Juan (a boutique winery flourishing in the bosque of the San River) vineyard's biggest festival of the year.

COWBOY POETRY GATHERING
October 1-4 - Durango
American cowboy celebration featuring cowboy poet Baxter Black. Poetry, music, historic exhibits, trail ride and cowboy parade.

GALLERY SHOW
October 1-31 - Durango
A Shared Blanket's contemporary and antique hand-spun, natural and vegetable-dyed Navajo weavings.

COWBOY POETS
October 2 - D&SNG
In conjunction with and annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering, enjoy cowboy poets and entertainment onboard this special Cascade Canyon trip.

ROAD APPLE RALLY
October 3- Farmington, N.M.
Pro/expert, veteran and beginner mountain bikers test their skills on a 30-mile, single- and double-loop course through canyons and arroyos near San Juan College.

SAN JUAN SYMPHONY
October 4 - Community Concert Hall
Lovers and Dreamers, the works of Kodály, Chausson and Saint-Saëns with Rachel Barton Pine on violin.

DURANGO HERITAGE CELEBRATION
October 8-11 - Durango
Commemorating Durango's colorful and diverse history, the heritage celebration honors Durango's roots by focusing on the years 1881 through 1910. A citywide event, the new tradition - now in its second year - includes many opportunities for dressing in period attire. Among them are a Victorian ball, barbershop quartet contests and performances, historic walking tours, a fashion show, a period costume promenade and a banquet. www.durangoheritagecelebration.org.

HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND
October 9-12 - Fort Lewis College

PEANUTS GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS
October 10-22, 17-18, 24-25, 31 - D&SNG
Ride the train and bring home the perfect pumpkin. Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy!

RENAISSANCE FAIRE
October 17-18 - Farmington, N.M.
Artisans, food, musicians, processionals of nobility, and mock sword battles..

HESPERUS SKI PATROL SKI SWAP
November 7 - Durango
Held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, this ski swap is the 46th annual exchange and has evolved into a highly anticipated event. Held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (check-in on Friday, November 6), the swap raises funds for the Hesperus Ski Area's three-day avalanche awareness course and ongoing seminars in first aid and rescue methods. Inexpensive skis, poles, boots, jackets, goggles, gloves, hats and more - everything needed for an economical adventure to the mountains. www.hesperusskipatrol.org.

SOUTHERN UTE VETERANS POWWOW
November 7 - Ignacio