Tradition is bowing to technology in Glenwood Springs.
The oldest civic festival in Colorado, Strawberry Days, now is celebrated in the shadow of thrill rides at Glenwood Canyon Adventure Park on Iron Mountain.
One hundred eight years ago, farmers and residents in Glenwood Springs gathered to commemorate the area’s strawberry harvest. That small community fete has evolved into more than free strawberries and ice cream, the annual event’s signature drawing card.
“We Be Jammin”‘ is the theme of Strawberry Days 2005, Friday through Sunday. “Jammin”‘ refers to everything from music to making jam to a jam-packed schedule of activities. This is a provincial family favorite, with a parade, a rodeo (Friday evening), the crowning of Miss Strawberry Days, nonstop live music, and, of course, free strawberries and ice cream (Saturday, starting at noon).
Spinning off this purely homespun event is the Artisans Fair, which has grown to attract more than 150 crafters. Woodworks, metal sculpture, pottery, hand-wrought jewelry, blown-glass works of art, custom quilts, home decor, leather goods, batik and fiber wearable art, watercolors, photography and more will be displayed at this juried exhibit.
Plenty of activities will keep the kids busy – magic acts, strolling clowns, pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo and a full-blown amusement park.
Back at the bandstand, the sounds of reggae, country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll stream into the air all afternoon and evening. And, thanks to a plethora of food vendors, no one leaves Strawberry Days hungry.
Look to the north side of the Colorado River, on Iron Mountain, where the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has created another dimension of excitement in this historic town.
Originally, the tram ascending Iron Mountain from the floor of the Roaring Fork Valley was installed as a solution to a transport dilemma, giving visitors a chance to tour the Fairy Caves and Glenwood Caverns, which could be entered only near the mountain summit.
But when you have a mountain with a tramway, you have the key to a hillside of adventure.
The first Alpine Coaster in the United States is found at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The coaster is firmly held on steel tubular rails, and you control the speed as you make hairpin turns on the 3,400-foot descent. The coaster’s unique track system allows it to operate year-round.
On the Alpine Rush, you are strapped into a seat attached to a zip line. You descend 650 feet, skimming over the tree tops at speeds more than 50 miles per hour. With four seats available, you can race your friends down the mountain.
For the fearless adventure-lover, a ride on the Swing Shot gives you bragging rights for the rest of the year. Strapped into a giant swing, you’re launched out over Glenwood Canyon, 1,300 feet above the Colorado River. The swinging motion takes you over the edge again and again. You and two friends can ride the swing at the same time. Obviously, the heavier the swing, the faster you’ll travel – up to 50 mph.
A thrill in its own right, Doc’s Rock is a 32-foot climbing wall, named for local legend Doc Holliday. The rock has five different routes of ascent, all of varying difficulty.
The rides, tram and climbing wall require separate tickets.
There are three ways to tour the Glenwood Caverns and Fairy Caves. Most everyone can participate in the general tour of the well-lighted underground “rooms.”
If you’re willing to delve into the unknown, and you’re not claustrophobic, you might want to try the 90-minute Adventure Tour. You’ll crawl on your belly in places, and squeeze through tight spaces, but be privy to exploring rooms filled with awesome formations.
The Wild Tour goes one step further. During this three-hour sojourn, the only light comes from your miner’s helmet. You’ll get dirty, and the maneuvering is rather strenuous, but you’ll feel as though you’re discovering the caves for the first time.
Lillian Ross is a freelance writer who lives in Howard.
