There are five weekends to get out and have fun this month, but one in particular is jam-packed with things to do. See how many you can fit into your schedule on June 9 and 10.
Mustang Riders return to Extreme Mustang Makeover
After a thrilling international debut last year, the Northern Colorado Mustang Riders will again perform during the Extreme Mustang Makeover event at the B.W. Pickett Arena on the Colorado State University Foothills Campus, June 8-10.
The Mustang Riders is a group of more than a dozen local horse enthusiasts who have adopted mustangs from Bureau of Land Management wild herds and trained them through Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Friday and Saturday mornings will be devoted to workouts for 40 local horses and riders with famed trainer Stormy Mullins, while the afternoons will feature competitions in various areas. The top 10 finalists will be announced and class awards presented at 3 p.m. on Saturday. All of these events are free and open to the public.
The doors open Saturday at 5 p.m. for the competition finals. Admission is $15 online and at the door. The Mustang Riders will perform a 7-minute choreographed sequence during the competition.
On Sunday at 10 a.m., all the competing horses will be up for adoption.
Tickets and info: www.mustangheritagefoundation.org (click on Events).
Virginia Dale parties like it’s 1862
The Virginia Dale Stage Station celebrates its 150th anniversary June 8-10. The historic building on the old Overland Trail is in desperate need of restoration and preservation, and this weekend’s events are designed to raise funds for the effort.
A Western dance on Friday, from 7 to 11 p.m., will feature music by Barely Gettin’ By and a pie auction for $10 admission. A full Saturday of free-admission fun, including a craft show, quilt raffle, historical talks, performances and demonstrations, caricatures, games, food, silent auction and photo ops with an actual Wells Fargo stagecoach, goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday starts with a 10 a.m. country church service followed by a BYOB (bring your own basket) picnic lunch, bake sale, display of Civil War quilts, horseshoe tournament and more until 4 p.m. Raffle tickets for an original Barbara Moore painting of the station will be on sale for $25. Info: www.virginiadalecommunityclub.org.
Buckeye School hosts quilt show
More than 50 beautiful quilts from Northern Colorado, Nebraska and the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters will adorn the historic Buckeye School, 935 W. County Road 80 north of Wellington, on June 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
“Cross Stitching the Border” will feature snacks, baked goods, and crafts for sale, petting zoo, farmers market, a photography display and sale, a silent quilt auction and a quilt raffle. On Saturday there will be a llama-wool spinning demonstration; on Sunday, a weaving demonstration.
Admission is free, but proceeds from the event will be used by the Buckeye Community Club to help restore and maintain the school, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Last year’s event paid for installation of a handicapped-accessible outdoor ramp; this year’s project is a ground-floor restroom. Info: 970-568-7893.
Puppets bring stories to life
Poudre River Library District’s summer reading outreach program kicks off with puppets. A group of bilingual local high school students will be traveling throughout the county performing classic and contemporary stories suitable for all ages. On Monday, June 11, Storybook Puppets will be at the Livermore Community Hall; on Tuesday, June 12, at LaPorte Pizza; and on Wednesday, June 13, at the Rist Canyon fire station in Bellvue.
Later in the month, the under-6 set will be treated to a ride on the Story Express!, storytellers sharing songs, fingerplays and all sorts of fun. On Wednesday, June 20, the Story Express! Pulls into the Rist Canyon fire station; on Thursday, June 21, at the Historic Flowers House in Bellvue; and then back to the fire station on Wednesday, June 27.
All performances are free and begin at 9:30 a.m. Info: www.poudrelibraries.org.
Mounted shooting competition at The Ranch
The month goes out with a bang when the newly reorganized Mounted Shooters of America holds its kickoff event at The Ranch, the Larimer County Fairgrounds Complex, in Loveland June 28 through July 1. Think rodeo riding crossed with biathlon. The highlight will be a Saturday Night Superstar competition that features some of the top competitors in the nation vying for a $20,000 purse, as well as Western entertainment, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 17. Info: www.newmsa.com.
Support Northern Colorado Journalism
Show your support for North Forty News by helping us produce more content. It's a kind and simple gesture that will help us continue to bring more content to you.
BONUS - Donors get a link in their receipt to sign up for our once-per-week instant text messaging alert. Get your e-copy of North Forty News the moment it is released!
Click to Donate