Each month throughout the year, Feature First Friday events are lined up to continue the celebration of Cañon City’s 150th anniversary.
July’s bash will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m. July 1 at Centennial Park, featuring a host of recreational activities and demonstrations, along with music and food.
“For over 150 years the natural landscape of the town, the river, and the surrounding foothills have provided unlimited chances to experience the great outdoors,” said Lisa Studts, the director of the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center, in a press release. “This July’s Feature Friday is all about celebrating and enjoying the great outdoor recreational opportunities in and around Cañon City.”
Whether your passion is biking, hiking, rafting, kayaking, fishing, gardening, or just sitting and enjoying a picnic by the river, Cañon City is the perfect place where you can do it all.
“From our wonderful city parks, trails, and the Arkansas River, we live in a region full of fun ways to relish the outdoors,” Studts said.
During the Feature First Friday event, there will be a chance to take part and learn more about some of these recreational activities and enjoy the park. Featured events will include white water entertainment, water safety demonstrations by the Royal Gorge Gargoyle team, and fly-fishing demonstrations.
This also is a recruitment event for the Royal Gorge Gargoyle team. Individuals ages 15-19 can learn more about joining Fremont County’s Youth Whitewater program.
Chris Moffett, who is the president of Royal Gorge RIO, said there will be a climbing wall and river demonstrations featuring rafting and paddleboarding.
Fremont Search & Rescue, Master Gardeners and Colorado Native Plant Society, Fremont County Historical Society, representatives of Royal Gorge Rio, Nature’s Educators, Fremont Adventure Recreation, as well as a few rafting outfits, will be present for people to learn from the experts about the countless activities to do right here in the community.
Studts said for those adventurous souls, attendees can bring their own raft, kayak, boogie board, paddleboard or inner tube and join in the fun.
Kona Ice, From the Flames Pizza and Snakcin Mackins (BBQ) will be at the park to sell food and treats and the splash pad will be open until 7 p.m.
For the more leisure recreationalist, there will be music and whitewater entertainment to spectate. The museum will also be passing out Cañon City’s 150th Passport to Adventure booklets and free self-guided tour of South Cañon to enjoy at your leisure by walking, biking or even by car.
