Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM │ Admission by Donation

Chef du Jour meal of the week:

Yakitori Chicken Skewers

Vegan Option: Yakitori Vegetable Skewers

Full Meal (includes side & a drink) - $15 │ Entree Only - $12

From a few thrill seekers challenging the river in kayaks and old rafts, to a major recreational and commercial activity, pioneer outfitters, Reed & Karen Dils (1976-2001) will show a little history that has greatly influenced our valley. Come learn about prominent residents who’ve been involved, the economics involved, how equipment has involved, governmental involvement and much more.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM │ Admission by Donation

Chef du Jour meal of the week:

Chicken with an Altitude

Chicken breast with onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese. Served with guacamole and roasted red pepper mayo

Vegan Option: Grilled Eggplant with Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Mayo

Full Meal (includes side & a drink) - $15 │ Entree Only - $12

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Most of us don't think about water rights until a ditch runs dry, a development goes in or a dry year reminds us just how tight things can get, but the system that decides who gets water in Chaffee County didn't just appear--it was shaped by conflict, necessity, and some hard choices made over a century ago.

Back in the 1880s disputes over water and land boiled over into what is now called the Lake County War.  This wasn't a polite disagreement--it was a violent struggle over control of the critical water.  While that conflict may feel distant, the rules that came out of that era still govern the rivers and ditches today.

First in time, first in right is the principle that determines if a rancher can irrigate, a town can grow or if there is enough water left in the river for recreation and fish.

Today the setting looks different--but the pressure is just as real. Growing communities, changing agriculture, outdoor recreation and health of the Arkansas river are all concerns.  Add drought and those rules are being tested in new ways. This isn't just history--it's about decisions that affect property, livelihoods, and the future of this valley.  

Join us as David Kelly and Greg Felt connect the dots from the conflicts of the 1800's to water questions of today and get a picture of where things could be headed next.

Ranching families have shaped Chaffee County since the first homesteaders arrived in the Arkansas River Valley in the 1860s. Drawn by fertile grasslands, mountain water, and new opportunities, they built cattle and hay operations that became the foundation of the local economy. Despite isolation, harsh winters, and disputes over land and water, these pioneers established a ranching tradition that continues to influence the county today.

Local ranchers helped create a culture rooted in stewardship, self-reliance, and deep multigenerational connections to the land. Many ranches have remained in the same families for more than a century, passing from one generation to the next while enduring mining booms, railroad expansion, droughts, fluctuating cattle markets, and increasing development pressures while preserving the region’s agricultural heritage and rural character.

Today, ranching in Chaffee County remains both an economic activity and a living heritage. While tourism and recreation now dominate the local economy, hay meadows, cattle operations, the county fair, and 4-H programs continue to connect residents to the valley’s frontier roots.

Join us for a casual lecture with some local ranchers. Hear their stories, learn about life on the ranch, and enjoy a laid-back, friendly conversation.

With:

• Bruce Cogan of Cogan Ranch

• Ken McMurray of McMurray Land & Livestock

• Lee Rooks of Rafter 26 Ranch

• Nancy Roberts of Arrowpoint Cattle Co.

• Suzy and David Kelly of Kelly Ranch

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

Admission by donation.

Annette and Doug Conlon are talented singer-songwriters who create unforgettable live music experiences. Their diverse melodies transition from upbeat and joyful to deep and moving, consistently fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances their heartfelt lyrics. They have shared the stage with countless major artists and have had several songs published with DSM Producers in New York and placed for sync in film and television. Annette leads the Black Rose Songwriting Circle, while Doug manages the Open Mic, organized through the Black Rose Acoustic Society.

Admission by Donation │ Doors open at 5:30

Before Buena Vista was a town, the area was home to the Ute, Arapahoe, Comanche, Cheyenne and other native tribes. Spain made early conquests into the region, and mountain men came along to trap furs. But what about early American expeditions? Well known figures like Zebulon Pike and John C. Fremont made journeys to the valley in lesser known expeditions of their own. Join us on August 27th as Trevor Mark takes us through these early campaigns into the wilderness of the Upper Arkansas River Valley.

Trevor Mark is a professional historian from Colorado who specializes in 19th century exploration and mining topics in the American West. He works as a historic building consultant for infrastructure projects throughout the West. Trevor also writes, directs, and produces history documentaries for his YouTube Channel, Lost Leadville, in addition to volunteering as a docent for Leadville's Temple Israel Synagogue Museum. Trevor was raised in Evergreen and currently lives in Leadville with his wife Anna.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket, pack snacks or a picnic, bring your family and friends, and kick back to enjoy live music in an unforgettable setting.

6-8 PM

Admission by donation.

with Cam Torrens