The Place to Celebrate Summer
Mancos is a small, energetic town within 10 minutes of Mesa Verde National Park. There is a vibrant arts scene, complete with massive, building-sized murals, and the friendly locals really love a festival. If you are lucky enough to visit this summer, be sure to keep the following events in mind.
On June 20, the Mancos creative district will host its signature event, the seventh annual BurroFest. This summer, the focus is on Colorado’s 150th birthday. You will find costumed burros engaging in a history-themed obstacle course, artist demos, live animal painting, sculpting, and more. It is a family-friendly, community-focused tribute to burros and their contribution to mining. Find more details at burrofest.com. Be sure to read the hilarious FAQ page, and please leave your dogs at home for this event.
During the last full weekend in July each year since 1968, the town has another festival, Mancos Days. This year the theme is “Mancos Ever After: Myth, Magic, and Fairy Tales” and it falls July 24-26. You’ll find a parade led by the Mancos Days Pioneer Queen and Little Miss Mancos, a classic car show, a cornhole tournament, a fun run, a library book sale, live bands, and the list goes on. For more information, visit mancosdays.com.
In early September, the creative district will host the Mesa Verde Literary Festival, which occurs just after the Writers Conference. The festival will include a day of readings, talks, and panel discussions. If writing is your passion, don’t forget to check out the Mancos Common Press, which is a historically restored 1900s newspaper shop and museum in downtown. For more information, visit mancoscreativedistrict.com.
Most Mancos events are held at Boyle Park on the east side of town. On Thursday nights from June through October, the park is host to a weekly farmers market. Be sure to also visit the local art galleries, restaurants, history museums, and shops — the town is 0.6 square miles and is easily walkable.
