As the snow melts in Steamboat Springs, spring bulbs start to pop up from the ground, neighbors throw open their doors and across downtown, bikes outnumber cars. While we love our winters, most of us relish the summer just as much. It’s a time to reconnect with each other and make the most of the ever-growing line up of events on offer.

MainStreet Farmers Market

Food trucks, artisans and local food producers gather on Yampa Street between Fifth and Eighth streets every Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., to provide a smorgasbord of offerings to shoppers. Over 135 vendors gather weekly from June 10 – September 23 to sell their wares in a carnival-like atmosphere, bustling with locals, visitors and live musicians. Find out more about the farmer’s market here.

Strings Music Festival

Now in it’s 49th year, Strings has been a summer staple for almost half a century. Based at their 569-seat pavilion, this year’s impressive lineup includes legendary Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame star Graham Nash, comedian David Sedaris and three-time Grammy winners, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Over 60% of Strings events are free to the community including Music on the Green, every Wednesday from 10-10:45 a.m., at the Yampa Valley Botanic Park. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the festival and the park. A free celebration is planned for August 23, from 5-7 p.m., with food trucks and live music by Jay Roemer.

Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series

Steamboat was known as a cow town before it became an international ski resort. We’ve been celebrating our western heritage for over 100 years at the Steamboat Pro Rodeo. Every Friday and Saturday from late June 23 to August 26, (plus July 3 and 4), the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena hosts an iconic display of saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and a ram scramble for the younger participants.

First Friday Artwalk 

Meet local artists and view the latest exhibits at galleries across town on the first Friday of every month. An eclectic mix of venues stay open from 5-8 p.m. and serve complimentary refreshments and some have live music. Pick up an Artwalk map of participating locations and look out for pop-up venues along the way.

Concerts

Steamboat earned its place as a Colorado Creative District for good reason. Opera Steamboat will perform two operas this summer, “Gianni Schicchi” and “Proving Up” at the Julie Harris Theater. The theater is part of Perry-Mansfield, the oldest continuously running performing arts and equestrian camp in North America. Local group, Piknik Theater is showcasing “Peter Pan” and a new musical “The Scouts” at the Yampa River Botanic Park. The Colorado New Play Festival will take to the stage at the Strings Music Pavilion on June 16-17. For a more raucous affair, head to Howelsen Hill for a free concert at one of Steamboat’s most iconic settings. A full line-up can be found at www.keepinitfree.com