Weekend events called on account of fire

The Hewlett Fire is taking its toll on weekend events as well as on more than 7,600 acres of national forest land north of Poudre Canyon.

Mishawaka Amphitheatre sits on the river in the canyon above the area still under a mandatory evacuation order but was not directly threatened on Friday, according to co-owner Matt Hoeven. However, the closure of Colorado Highway 14 between Ted’s Place and Stove Prairie Road makes access difficult, and the venue will remain closed until further notice.

“The status of when the Mish will re-open remains uncertain and depends on 1. safety, 2. access, and 3. availability of electrical power,” Hoeven wrote in a Facebook post. “We are hopeful that we’ll be able to re-open very soon. Thanks to everyone directly involved with fighting the fire.”

The May 20 concert by Keb’ Mo’ has been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date. All tickets for Sunday will be honored.

The McKee Medical Center Foundation has canceled Sunday’s 25th Annual Community Classic Bike Tour because of the smoke that has blanketed much of the route through the foothills.

“It is difficult to predict air quality for the weekend, but given the size of the fire, the limited containment, and the unpredictability of fire behavior, the McKee Medical Center Foundation believes it is in the best health interests of the participants, volunteers and staff members to cancel this year’s event,” foundation officials said in a statement released Friday afternoon.

At 3 p.m. on Friday, emergency services officials were reporting the fire was 11 percent contained.

This is the first time the non-competitive, multi-distance bicycle tour has been canceled, according to Dawn Paepke, events coordinator for the foundation. Refunds will be provided upon request, although the event is a fundraiser for McKee’s Adult Day Care Stepping Stones program.

Fossil Ridge High School has postponed its annual Nick Seaman 5K a week, to May 26, also due to concerns over air quality. Proceeds from this running event go to RamStrength, a local nonprofit that supports Northern Colorado families battling cancer.

The Ponderosa Promenaders will hold their regularly scheduled dance on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. – at The Ranch, the Larimer County fairgrounds complex, in Loveland, rather than their usual venue at the Livermore Community Hall.