Celebrate Summer at Montrose's 'Bring on the Summer' Outdoor Fest

As the school year concludes and summer begins, Montrose invites families to the 'Bring on the Summer' Outdoor Fest on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

The festivities kick off at 11:00 a.m. at River Bottom Park and continue until 5:00 p.m.

This free event offers a preview of the sports, camps, and activities available throughout the summer.

Attendees can look forward to a skateboard competition, cornhole tournament, and the intriguing Gellyball experience.

Children will enjoy activities such as a bubble station, dinosaur fossil dig, wild bird games, art projects, nature activities, and disc golf.

Hourly contests and races include ducky races, frozen t-shirt contests, relay races, life jacket scrambles, and pie- and watermelon-eating competitions.

Music will be provided by DJ Joshua Bishop of La Familia Music Group, with Angel D (El Maza) as the MC.

Local food vendors will serve a variety of dishes, and a beer garden will be available for those 21 and older.

Prizes and awards will be given for all contests and tournaments.

Anita Evans of Friends of Youth and Nature (FOYAN), the event organizer, stated, "This is an opportunity to bring our community together to enjoy games, food, and music. There's something for every age group."

Funds raised beyond event costs will support FOYAN's mission of getting more kids outside to boost mental health, resilience, and outdoor education.

In partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Montrose Recreation District, and other organizations, FOYAN helps eliminate barriers to outdoor access by covering bus transportation for school field trips, providing camp scholarships for underserved youth, assisting with field trip costs, and expanding the free outdoor gear library in Montrose and Ouray Counties.

Evans added, "We want to showcase the many summer activities and camps available for our youth. We're fortunate to have so many local options, as well as incredible public lands nearby for families to explore."

Participating groups include Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Montrose Regional Library, The Ute Museum, Dinosaur Museum, Montrose Regional Library Book Bike (offering free books for summer reading), Black Canyon Audubon Society, Metaphorse (therapy), Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club, Partners West, Girl Scouts of America, and more.

A special treat will be free haircuts provided by Finesse Barber Shop.

Anne Janik, FOYAN board member and event co-organizer, expressed excitement for the event, stating, "This is our second festival, and we're looking forward to another great turnout! Last year, despite the intense winds, we welcomed over 1,200 participants. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to kick off summer!"

Special thanks to the event's sponsors and supporters, including the Kampe Family Foundation, Colorado Trust, Subaru, Colorado Outdoors, Marston-Lehmann Family Foundation, Enstrom Candies, Delta Montrose Electric Association, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Montrose Regional Health, Montrose Community Foundation, Western Colorado Community Foundation (David McKean Fund), La Familia Music Academy, City of Montrose, Alpine Bank, Circle of Dreams, High Country Beverage, Grove Street Alchemy, ANB Bank, Delta County Federal Credit Union, Hilltop Community Resources, Black Canyon Audubon Society, Rocky Mountain Ice, Peer Kindness, Renewal by Andersen, Cornhole Etc. & Western Slope Players Association, and Chow Down Pet Supplies.

Local businesses supporting the event with great prizes include Ted Nelson Steak House, Fiesta Guadalajara, The Stone House, Pomona Brewing, Colorado Boy Brewery, San Juan Cinema, Rose Bowl, Culver's, and Polar Express.

Evans emphasized the importance of outdoor activities for children, stating, "Kids who play outside are happier and healthier kids. Help us give more kids opportunities to experience the benefits of the outdoors—join us for this action-packed day of fun activities for our youth and families."

For more information, visit Friends of Youth and Nature's website.

Friends of Youth and Nature is a non-profit organization that promotes opportunities for youth and families to get outside, experience outdoor activities, and explore nature.

Follow their outdoor news blog and receive monthly tips on connecting your children to nature.

Learn more by visiting their website.