What's Happening -- May 2-

Friday
May 2

FIBERARTS GUILD MEETING May 2, 9:30 a.m. The Heart of Colorado FiberArts Guild’s next meeting will be May 2 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 217 Crossman St., Buena Vista. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting at 10a.m. In lieu of a program, the members will present their Challenge project Show and Tell, which was to “create something inspired by an activity or interest you enjoy that is NOT fiber related! Examples: sports, cooking, traveling, music, gardening, etc.!” This should be fun and inspiring! This is the Guild’s last meeting until September! All are welcome! For more information visit heartofcoloradofiberartsguild.org.

GROWING STRONG KIDS EXPO 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Chaffee County Early Childhood Council hosts Growing Strong Kids Expo at Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 CR 120, designed to connect families with young children with community resources. Includes info on community organizations, plus free hearing, vision, developmental, lead and dental screenings for ages 0-5, free ice cream, games, activities, prizes and visits by Rocky Mountain PBS Kids and Clifford the Big Red Dog. 

HOWARD SPRING MARKET 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Spring Market at 9236 U.S. 50 features local handmade collector items, vintage goods and gifts.

NOTEABLES PRESENT ‘WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER’ 7 p.m. The Noteables women’s chorus presents their spring concert, “We’re All in This Together,” featuring ballads, Broadway, contemplative, blues and humorous songs, at ClearView Community Church, 457 Rodeo Road. Suggested donation is $15.

CHAIN STATION AT THE LARIAT 8:30 p.m. Chain Station, a four-piece, high-energy, get-’em-out-on-the-dance-floor string band from Denver, performs Americana roots/bluegrass at The Lariat, 206 E. Main St. Tickets are $18.85 at TheLariatBV.com/music-calendar.

Saturday
May 3

COLLEGIATE PEAKS TRAIL RUN 6:30 a.m. 35th anniversary Collegiate Peaks Trail Run starts at BV Community Center, 715 E. Main St., at 6:30 a.m. for the 50-mile run (two loops) and 6:45 for the 25-mile run (one loop). Registration is $173.90 for 50-mile, $141.95 for 25-mile at CollegiatePeaksTrailRun.org.

HRRMC ANNUAL CANCER WALK 8:30 a.m. Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center’s annual Cancer Walk begins at the hospital, 1000 Rush Drive, with a welcome at 8:30; walk starts at 9 a.m. An expo will provide walkers with information about products and services, a hydration table, free coffee and chai, breakfast burritos for sale and more. Proceeds benefit local oncology patients. Registration is $35 or free for cancer survivors; register at HRRMC.com/cancerwalk.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN RUNOFF 8:30 a.m. Team Colorado Whitewater Racing’s annual spring slalom race, the Rocky Mountain RunOff, at Salida Whitewater Park is focused on school-age paddlers, but all ages can compete. Registration is at 8:30, racers’ meeting at 9, races start at 9:30, award ceremony at 1 p.m. First class is $25, +$5 for each additional class, +$10 for non-ACA members; cash only. 

SALIDA LIBRARY’S BIANNUAL BOOK SALE 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Biannual Book Sale at Salida Regional Library, 405 E St. Cash or check only. Free DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and puzzles.

HOWARD SPRING MARKET 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Spring Market at 9236 U.S. 50 features local handmade collector items, vintage goods and gifts.

BIRDING CLUB COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE 2-4 p.m. Birding Club Community Open House at Valley View Nature Learning Center, 9051 CR 140, features representatives of the GARNA Birding Club and Colorado Parks and Wildlife discussing local birding opportunities, info about local birds, a bird-themed kids’ station, light refreshments and more. Free and open to all.

MOTION EXCHANGE PRESENTS ‘FROLICKING THROUGH THE FOREST’ 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Motion Exchange Dance presents its fourth annual spring showcase of youth and adult dancers, “Frolicking Through the Forest,” at BV High School, 559 S. Railroad St. Tickets are $12 at App.gostudiopro.com/tickets/motionexchange.

‘SONS OF MESCAL’ AT COYOTE MEZCALERIA Y CERVECERIA 5-8 p.m. Agave Society Arkansas Valley presents a showing of the documentary “Sons of Mescal,” at Coyote Mezcalería y Cervecería, 801 Front Loop, No. 1A, plus Q&A with director Stephan Werk of Denver, mescal tastings, a full taco dinner and after-party. Tickets are $75 at Eventbrite.com. 

CHAFFEE REPUBLICANS’ LINCOLN DAY DINNER 5-9 p.m. Chaffee County Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, 15870 CR 162, features dinner, wine pull, silent and live auctions, dessert dash, raffle and networking with state and local officials and candidates. Tickets are $100 at ChaffeeCoGOP.org/2025-lincoln-day-dinner/; free for veterans 80 and older.

ARK VALLEY HIGH ROLLERS SKATE WARS 7 p.m. Ark Valley High Rollers’ Roller Derby Skate Wars at Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 CR 120, pits The Light Side vs. The Dark Side. Concessions and cash bar available. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids at the door or at ArkValleyHighRollers.com/upcoming-events. After-party follows at Fun Street Family Arcade, 243 F St. in Salida.

NOTEABLES PRESENT ‘WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER’ 7 p.m. The Noteables women’s chorus presents their spring concert, “We’re All in This Together,” featuring ballads, Broadway, contemplative, blues and humorous songs, at Salida SteamPlant, 220 W. Sackett Ave. Suggested donation is $15.

DJ WILLIAMS BAND AT THE LARIAT 8:30 p.m. DJ Williams Band plays a blend of soul, rock and funk at The Lariat, 206 E. Main St. Tickets are $18.85 at TheLariatBV.com/music-calendar.

AVMAD COMMUNITY CONTRA DANCE SEASON CLOSER May 3, 7-9 p.m. Arkansas Valley Music and Dance will host the final Buena Vista Community Contra Dance for this season on Saturday, May 3, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 217 Crossman Ave., in Buena Vista. A potluck dinner will be held from 6-7 p.m., with dancing from 7-9 p.m. No partner or experience is needed. Come, dance to a live local band, and make a new friend. Our next dance will be on Sept. 6. For more information, call Lee at 210-275-3355

Sunday
May 4

COLLEGIATE PEAKS TRAIL RIDE 8 a.m. Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition hosts the Collegiate Peaks Trail Ride starting at BV Community Center, 715 E. Main St., and traveling a 25-mile course through the Fourmile Recreation Area, followed by a post-ride party. Registration is $133.75 at BVSingletrack.com/cptr.

SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH PETE ALBRECHT 11:15 a.m. Sunday Brunch with Pete Albrecht at The Lariat, 206 E. Main St., features The Lariat’s brunch menu and live music by Pete Albrecht of Leadville Cherokee. Free admission.

STAGE & RAIL TRAIL AUTO TOUR 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. “Stage & Rail Trail Auto Tour: Salida to Buena Vista” is a tour of the southern half of the 75-mile trail from Salida to Leadville that follows historic stagecoach and railroad corridors. GARNA vans will start the tour at the F Street bridge in Salida and end at “The Tunnels” north of BV. Alan Robinson will provide history at stops along the way. Bring snacks and water. Limited space; register for $10 at Bit.ly/SRTAutoTour.

CENTRAL COLORADO HUMANISTS’ SUNDAY SCIENCE 10 a.m.-noon Central Colorado Humanists’ Sunday Science features a talk on “Insect Diversity on Native Thistles in the Upper Arkansas Valley” at A Church, 419 D St. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Monday
May 5

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY WITH TOPS Mondays. Weigh-ins: 5:30-6 p.m., meetings: 6-7 p.m. Held at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 217 Crossman Ave., Buena Vista. Contact: Janine at 719.395.6597.

Tuesday
May 6

ACT AGAINST WILDFIRE OPEN HOUSE May 6, May 15, 6-8 p.m. Chaffee County residents are encouraged to be proactive against wildfires by joining forestry professionals and firefighters during a free open house in May. Learn about how the Community Wildfire Protection Plan works to decrease fire’s potential devastating impacts on our community and how to get ready independently. Whether you have questions about creating defensible space around your home, aren’t sure whether your family members are all signed up for emergency notifications, or want to know more about forest treatment projects near you, there is something for everyone to learn. Register to win a free slash trailer rental from Chaffee Fire valued at $100. Act Against Wildfire open houses take place on Tuesday, May 6 at the Buena Vista Community Center, and on Thursday, May 15 at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Both events start at 6 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. Attendance is free.

BINGO NIGHT AT EDDYLINE 7 p.m. Bingo Night at the Eddyline Brewery Taproom, 102 Linderman Ave.

Wednesday
May 7

RED HAT LADIES GATHERING 11:30 a.m. at Casa Sanchez. The Red Hat ladies will be gathering again for May. Join the group on May 7, the first Wednesday of the month, at 11:30 a.m. at the Casa Sanchez restaurant. Wear your purple and a Red Hat, and if you're under 50, wear lavender and a pink hat. All ladies are welcome.

LOOKING AHEAD

YOUNG AT HEART POTLUCK May 4, noon. Young at Heart will be having their monthly luncheon on Wednesday, May 14 at noon in the BV Community Center. We will be serving fried chicken so please bring a side dish or dessert. You will also need to bring your own plate and utensils. The speaker will be a representative from the BV Heritage Museum. 

MAMAS DAY 5K AND FAMILY FUN RUN May 10, Free Family Fun Run 10 a.m., 5k 10:30 a.m. at the Buena Vista Community Center. Register at enduramamas.com/events. This run is on a combination of dirt and paved town trails and is stroller-friendly. Open to anyone. Run, walk, stroller-roll! The Family Fun Run is free and kids can decorate their own race numbers. Face painting for kids will be available! 5k Participants receive a goodie bag and custom trucker hat. Podium awards for top three ladies. Stick around for snacks, coffee from Cool River Cafe, and a chance to win giveaways from local business sponsors including The Lettucehead, Studio on Railroad, The Buena Viking, Buena Vista Healing, Eddyline Brewery, Sex, Plants, Rock & Roll, Joyful Flags and Rooted Scalp and Hair!  A portion of each race registration will go to support elevateHER, a local non-profit whose mission is to "foster self-worth and grit in young women through mentoring, outdoor adventure, and holistic wellness programs." Show them a little extra love by donating any amount when you register for the event.

PUBLIC WORKS CLEANUP DAYS May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m; May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buena Vista residents can drop off yard waste, old furniture, electronics, tvs/screens (for a fee), etc off at Public Works. Visit Buena Vista Public Works at 755 Gregg Drive on May 16 and 17 to drop off tree and brush trimmings, electronics, TVs (<30”=$22, >30”=$44), metal recycling, furniture and non-toxic trash. This event is open to anyone located within town limits. Public Works does not accept expired prescription drugs, large appliances, refrigerators or freezers, used tires, hazardous liquids (such as used motor oil, paint and gasoline), grass clippings and leaves, household garbage and construction materials. Signs will be posted to direct people to the dump area. For more information, call Public Works at 719-395-6898.

TOWN OF BUENA VISTA ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION May 17, 9 a.m. to noon at the East Main Street Splash Park. Celebrate Arbor Day with the Town of Buena Vista! There will be a seedling giveaway, where attendees can receive a free Mountain Mahogany shrub or Blue Spruce seedling; an informational booth on the town’s Adopt-a-Tree program; and tree planting activities on May 15 and 16. Activities are suitable for all ages. 

KNOW YOUR END-OF-LIFE OPTIONS May 17, 2-4 p.m. at the BV Community Center, 715, E Main Street. This educational presentation, hosted by End of Life Options Colorado (EOLO CO), will explore the full range of Colorado’s legal end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying,

and provide space for open, thoughtful discussion. Featuring Dr. Barbara Morris, MD, a respected geriatrician and advocate for patient-centered end-of-life care. Dr. Morris will speak about how individuals and families can make informed, values-aligned choices at life’s end. A roundtable conversation will follow with practitioners, loved ones, and community members sharing personal stories and experiences. No RSVP required. For questions, email: events@endoflifeoptionscolorado.org. More info: endoflifeoptionscolorado.org

THE POLISH AMBASSADOR AT THE IVY BALLROOM May 17, 7:15 p.m. The Polish Ambassador is a multifaceted musician, producer, and environmental advocate, known for his live performances and trademark jumpsuit. Tickets at tickets.surfhotel.com/e/tpa

CO TINTS PRESENTS ‘AN ECHOING SPRING’ May 24 at 7 p.m. and May 25 at 2 p.m. at the Salida Steamplant. Mike Broemmel's "An Echoing Spring" takes on the profound responsibility of telling Matthew Shepard's story through an artistic lens that honors his memory and challenges audiences to confront the ongoing issue of hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Get tickets at: bit.ly/3SjEpDc. For more information about "An Echoing Spring" and the creative team behind it, visit matthewshepard.info

‘BUCK FEVER’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING AT THE IVY BALLROOM May 23, 7:30 p.m. This cult-classic whitewater film helped shape the spirit of modern freestyle kayaking. Packed with raw energy, humor, and iconic paddling footage, this film captures the early days of a movement that still inspires river runners today, and includes some familiar faces in their prime! Produced by Jed Selby and Spencer Cook. Free to attend. 

AIRING OF GRIEVANCES May 23, 8:30 p.m. Playing rock, alternative, and punk, Airing of Grievances plays hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000's—music that will take you back to high school (but better this time). Free to attend. 

LEADVILL CHEROKEE AT THE IVY BALLROOM 9:30 p.m. Leadville Cherokee is a rock band from Colorado that mixes the elements of rock, funk, country, and crustpunk with pure energy. The band counts Ween, Paul Cauthen, The Steeldrivers, and Bill Withers as guiding influences. Free to attend. 

DIRTY 6 AT THE IVY BALLROOM May 24, 8 p.m. Dirty 6 is a dynamic and versatile electronic music DJ and producer, seamlessly blending genres to create a sonic experience. Tickets available soon.

ARDALAN AT THE IVY BALLROOM May 24, 9 p.m. Born in Tehran, Iran, Ardalan Noghre-Kar possesses a peculiar, fresh perspective on music genesis without even trying. His mixes, remixes and dubs are known for their sass, energy and wickedly wry samples. Tickets available soon.