Jason Clay
CPW NE Region PIO
DENVER – To celebrate the annual elk rut and learn about the “wapiti,” the Native American name for elk, the city of Estes Park hosts the annual Elk Fest, Sept. 29-30.
Elk Fest offers visitors a chance to view elk during the rutting season in the wild, as well as expand their knowledge of elk and its habitat.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have a booth to promote the message of how to view wildlife responsibility, will have a kids craft table, general showcases on elk and hunting information from CPW’s hunter outreach program.
Held in Bond Park, located in downtown Estes Park, the free festival will offer:
• Bugling competitions
• Education areas
• Seminars
• Music by the Elktones
• Mountain Man Rendezvous
• Native American storytelling and music
• Guided elk viewing tours
• Vendors that offer art from oils and pastels, hand made elk-ivory jewelry, scrimshawed antler knives, elk antler lamps and chandeliers, elk hide pillows, silver and gold jewelry and elk antlers.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, Sept. 29
• 8:30 a.m. – Rut Run 5k
• 10 a.m. – All Vendors Open
• 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Kids Corral w/ fun activities and crafts
• 10:30-10:50 a.m. – “Elk of Estes Park” film in Town Hall
• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Native American Storytelling
• 12:15-1 p.m. – Bugling Contest
• 1-1:20 p.m. – “Elk of Estes Park” film in Town Hall
• 1:30-3 p.m. – Live Music from Amplified Souls
• 3-5 p.m. – Native American Music, Dancing & Storytelling
• 8 p.m.-12 a.m. – Elk Fest Afterparty at Hunters Chophouse
Sunday, Sept. 30
• 10 a.m. – All Vendors Open
• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Kids Corral w/ fun activities and crafts
• 10:30-10:50 a.m. – “Elk of Estes Park” film in Town Hall
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Live Music from Cowboy Brad
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. – Rocky Mountain Raptors, educational performance
• 2-4 p.m. – Native American Music, Dancing & Storytelling
• 2:30-2:50 p.m. – “Elk of Estes Park” film in Town Hall
You can visit the Elk Fest web page for more information by clicking here.