June 1-July 16
• Botanical Art Exhibit
The Georgetown Heritage Center, 809 Taos St., continues its oil and pastel botanical art exhibit by Susan T. Fisher on weekends and holidays, noon-4 p.m., through July 16. Admission is $5 and includes a tour of the restored schoolhouse. Visit http://www.georgetowntrust.org and susantfisher.com or call 303-569-0289 for additional details.

June 6
• Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District holds an Emergency Preparedness Workshop at the CCCIA Community Center, June 6 at 6 p.m. Various Boulder, Gilpin, and Jefferson County representatives from Emergency Management, Fire Management, Animal Control, and Wildfire Mitigation will be presenting. To learn more, call 303-642-3121 or e-mail general@coalcreekcanyonfd.org.

June 8
• Summer Birding Class Series
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Field Institute offers a special Summer Birding class series taught by renowned birder Jeff Maugans, June 8, 15, 29, July 6 and 20. Maugans will spend the morning discussing the migration, nesting, habitats, conservation, natural history and ecology of mountain birds. Join one or all class sessions and have fun in the field while learning to identify, enjoy and appreciate these feathered beings. Participants will learn to identify as many species as possible through sight and special attention to songs and calls. Rocky Mountain Conservancy also offers classes on North American Eagles on June 3, Birds of the Kawuneeche Valley on June 17, and Hummingbirds: Field Research on July 20. Learn more and register by calling 970-586-3262 or visit http://www.RMConservancy.org.

June 17
• Sunset Photography Session
Join Boulder County Parks & Open Space, June 17, 8-10:30 p.m., for a free sunset photography session at Betasso Preserve. Ranger Fowler will accompany the group to an ideal spot so people can take photos. Photographers will be allowed to access this property after normal hours. Children 10 years of age and older are welcome to attend with adult supervision. Long sleeves, pants, insect protection, water and closed toed shoes are recommended. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/os or e-mail posinfo@bouldercounty.org to learn more.

June 17
• Mountain Madness Music Festival
Mountain Madness Music Festival, June 17, noon-10 p.m., is a new, annual charity music festival celebrating musical and artistic culture in and around Nederland. This year’s event, featuring eight bands and two acoustic acts on two stages, is at Hurricane Ranch just outside of Nederland. Bands include Gasoline Lollipops, Electric Toast, Caribou Mountain Collective, Como se Llama, The Symbols, Flash Mountain Flood, New Family Dog and Fire in the Pines. Brandon Crytzer and Paige O’Donovan will also perform. Free parking and shuttle service is at Nederland Middle/Senior High School, 597 C.R. 130. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Nederland Food Bank. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased online or in person through Dan Perez. Visit at http://www.mountainmadnessfest.com or e-mail mountainmadness2017@gmail.com to learn more.

June 24
• Botanical Artist Demonstration
The Georgetown Heritage Center, 809 Taos St., welcomes botanical artist Susan T. Fisher for a special artist’s demonstration, June 24, noon-4 p.m., in conjunction with her currently hanging show at the center. Admission is free for this event. Fisher has served as Coordinator for the Botanical Art and Illustration Program at Denver Botanic Gardens, and Director of the Art Institute at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. She is past president of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Botanical Artists and Honorary Director of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Illustrators. Her illustrations and sculptures appear in numerous periodicals, books, florilegia, private collections and national exhibits. Visit georgetowntrust.org and susantfisher.com or call 303-569-0289 to learn more.

• Come Paint with Us!
Beginner and experienced artists are welcome at two plein air art classes, June 24, in the backyard of the Art House of Nederland gallery, 171 E. 2nd St. Participants will go home with their completed pieces. The first session is led by Pixie Glore, who will teach a class in oils from 9 a.m.-noon. She will teach students how to make paintings glow with light and color. The second session is led by Kathy Bremers who will teach a watercolor class from 1-4 p.m. Kathy’s work is inspired by nature and she loves sharing her techniques with beginners and experienced artists. Each three-hour class is $45 and will be kept small. Reservations are required. Call 303 550-7920 or e-mail pfthearthouse@gmail.com to save a space or find out more information.

June 24-25
• 25th Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Celebrate the 25th annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, June 24-25, at Bond Park in downtown Estes Park. The festival is a Scandinavian tradition celebrating the summer solstice. Be entertained and educated about Scandinavian traditions and culture with fun and lively dancing, exhibits, kids’ activities, and more. There is a beer garden, raising of the Maypole, grand march of countries, demonstrations, Viking encampment, arts and crafts fair featuring Scandinavian inspired or traditional work, classic Saab and Volvo auto show and more. Whatever your heritage may be, join the many families across the country from Scandinavians descent who gather at the free festival to share their heritage. Complete details and daily schedules can be found online at estesmidsummer.com. Call 303-947-7627 for more information.

• 15th Blues From the Top Music Festival
The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson, Anders Osborne, Little Hurricane, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisana Band, Carolyn Wonderland and many more perform at the 15th Annual Blues from the Top Music Festival presented by the Grand County Blues Society, taking place at Hideaway Park Amphitheater in downtown Winter Park, June 24-25. Blues from the Top will be the first festival to premier on the new, permanent stage in downtown Winter Park. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. both days. There are also night shows at Smokin’ Moe’s Ribhouse & Saloon in Cooper Creek Square both nights. Ticket options include General Admission and V.I.P. More information is available online at bluesfromthetop.org.

June 27
• 2nd Annual Friends of Folk Festival
Friends of Folk celebrate Dick Orleans’ legacy with music and community, June 27, 5-9 p.m., at the 2nd annual Friends of Folk Festival at Estes Park’s Performance Park. The event will be in the style of Dick’s “Friends of Folk” nights. Both professionals and amateurs will “make a joyful noise” and sing those songs that remind us of our friend. Orleans’ photography will be on sale at the festival ­with proceeds helping support a new scholarship fund set up in his honor. See details on our website. E-mail greg@gregmilesart.com to learn more or donate to the scholarship fund. The venue has been generously donated by Estes Performs & The Estes Arts District. Visit http://www.estesartsdistrict.org/friends-of-folk-festival-2017.html to learn more about the event and fund.

Museum’s walking tours explore history

ESTES PARK
Abner Sprague was hired to plat Estes Park’s downtown district in 1905 by Cornelius Bond and the Estes Park Town Company. Within weeks, lots along the street named Elkhorn Avenue were taken up, and new businesses established.

Over the course of a decade, the basic footprint of the town we know today had put down roots with buildings that started out as hotels, schools and private homes. Discover the hidden past on a walking tour of downtown Estes Park with the Estes Park Museum. During the tour, participants will be guided by trained docents to explore historical photographs from the Museum’s collection to aid in comparing the past to the present.

Identical tours are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays June 5-Sept. 19 (except July 4 and Sept. 4). Tours meet at 8:15 a.m. at the Northeast corner of Bond Park at MacGregor and Park Avenues near the Enos Mills sculpture, and begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. The tour group walks west through town, return to the same site by 10 a.m., and travel a distance of 0.7 miles. The cost is $8, cash or check payable to the Town of Estes Park.

The history tours are first come, first served and no reservations required. Space limited to about 12 people for each tour.

The mission of the Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth St., is to conduct activities that preserve, share and respect the unique history of Estes Park. For more information, call 970-586-6256 or visit http://www.estes.org/museum.

Originally published in the June 2017 issue of the MMAC Monthly