chili cook-off

ice rink at Estes Park Winter Festival HeidiTown

After a week off, it’s time for another installment of the Mayor on KRFC 88.9 FM, community public radio in Fort Collins, Colorado. Starting in February, these shows will occur on the 1st and 3rd week of each month. Life is just getting too crazy to do a show each and every week. Remember, if you’d like to catch the show on the radio, I’m on at 5:55 p.m. on

Estes Park Winter Festival ice castle

The 3rd Annual Estes Park Winter Festival runs Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15, 2012. Last year, my husband and I decided to randomly check out this event without really knowing what to expect, and we had so much fun! In addition to the interactive ice castle, which is really great for kids, we loved the chili cook off. I think we sampled over forty green and red chilis.

Winter Trails at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

I recently met a couple from Switzerland who said that Estes Park, Colorado reminded them of their home country. Estes Park is a charming little town nestled among snow-capped peaks and I can think of no better place for a Winter festival. The 2nd Annual Estes Park Winter Festival is a four-day extravaganza, has everything a winter festival should have and more. The event kicks off on Friday evening with