HeidiTown.com on KRFC 88.9 FM – What to do in Colorado Feb. 17-19, 2012 & Mardi Gras

Manitou Springs CarnivaleAs you probably now know, HeidiTown.com has a weekly radio show on  KRFC 88.9 FM  and  I post the transcript and upload the audio of each show here on the blog.  Depending on my editorial schedule for that particular week, these radio posts go up on Tuesday or Thursday.

To listen to the audio CLICK HERE, or read through the following transcripts.

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Hi, my name is Heidi and I’m the Mayor of HeidiTown.com, a blog about events, festivals and travel around Colorado.

Here’s the lineup for February 17-19, 2012 and a little beyond for you planners.

Last week I mentioned the 53rd Annual Home & Garden Show is at the Colorado Convention Center, but I failed to say that it runs through February 19th, so if you have a green thumb, or want to get a head start on summer projects, you still have time to get down to this event.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday is February 21st. Mardi Gras celebrations are known as the feast before the fasts, and it’s traditionally the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.

While that’s the real story behind Mardi Gras, most of us just think its just another good excuse for a party.

Manitou Springs plans to celebrate Mardi Gras with their 20th Annual Carnivale & Gumbo Chili Cookoff. Manitou Springs, just west of Colorado Springs is a Colorado town with it’s own unique flair and it’s one of our favorite places to spend a weekend. The people of Manitou are quirky, fun and friendly. Carnivale involves a big parade and town party that also includes a gumbo cook off with professional and amateur chefs. For more information visit ManitouSprings.org.

I found a couple Mardi Gras parties in the mountains, although some of the other resorts are probably planning festivities as well. Winter Park Resort will be handing out beads from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. There will be bands and street performers at this event. There’s always something fun happening in Winter Park so visit WinterParkResort.com to stay informed.

SolVista Basin at Grandby Ranch is also planning events. Join them for Hurricanes and Gumbo at the Seven Trails Grill on Saturday. And don’t forget about night skiing and tubing at SolVista Basin, learn more at GranbyRanch.com.

Ice Castles in Silverthorne 1
Photo courtesy of The Ice Castles at Silverthorne. All rights reserved.

Remember, there’s more to do in the Colorado Rockies than just skiing in the wintertime… and here’s a great example. The Ice Castles at Silverthorne just made it on to my radar and I’ve got to get up to see this for myself. This is a giant structure made entirely from ice with walkways, tunnels and arches. It’s also illuminated during the evening hours. This is apparently the only structure of its kind in Colorado and is open through April. The word on the street in HeidiTown is that this is well worth the trip. To check it out go to IceCastles.com.

Staying in the mountains there’s another wine festival taking place. Keystone Winter Wine Weekend at Warren Station is a two-day event featuring wine tasting and chef demos. More at KeystoneFestivals.com.

Back on the Front Range, the 27th Annual Mid Winter Bluegrass Festival runs February 17 through the 19th at the Northglenn Ramada Plaza located at 125 and 120th. Enjoy workshops, jams for beginners and experts, and lots of bands. For the entire lineup visit MidWinterBlueGrass.com.

For music lovers, here’s an ongoing event. It’s the Estes Park Music Festival Concert and it runs November through April at the Stanley Hotel. Every Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. guests enjoy national and international musicians performing in this magnificent setting. Go to EstesParkMusicFestival.org for the lineup of performers.

Also in Estes, it’s another train show. The 15th Annual Rails in the Rockies is this Saturday at the Estes Park Conference Center. This model train show covers 16,000 square feet and has 40 model train layouts. This is the perfect event for families. Details can be found at EstesValleyModelRailroaders.org.

Oscar Party at the Kress
Oscar Party at the Kress 2011. Photo by Matthew Gale of @NominationStation.

For those of you like me, who plan ahead, it’s Oscar month and that means viewing parties will be held around Northern Colorado and the rest of the state on Sunday, February 26. I’ll be attending the Oscar Party at The Kress Cinema & Lounge in Greeley, and I hope to see you there!

That’s all for this week. Inevitably I miss things, so keep up on all the last minute events and festivals I discover by joining HeidiTown.com on Facebook. You can also follow me on Twitter @HeidiTown or circle the town on Google Plus.

Until next week, I’ll see you online. Thanks for listening!

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