Labor Day Weekend in Steamboat Springs features vintage aircraft and cars, Pro Bull Riding and the new Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge

WANTED: Airplane enthusiasts, car buffs, rodeo fans, dog lovers, hikers, bikers and so much more!

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - There's more than one way to celebrate the traditional end of summer, and Steamboat Springs has a weekend full of choices.  This year's Labor Day weekend celebration combines the return of the Wild West Air Fest with a Circus Chimera, Steamboat Stock Dog Trials, Rocky Mountain Bull Bash Pro Bull Riding and more events and activities to boot.

"This year's Labor Day Weekend continues to gain altitude with the return of the Wild West Air Fest and more events," said Sandy Evans Hall, executive vice president of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.  "There's an event for everyone and plenty of activities to squeeze in before saying farewell to summer."

Wild West Air Fest
The Wild West Air Fest will feature up to 25 aircraft from WWII era vintage to newly designed and recently FAA approved. Bi-plane and helicopter rides will be available as well.  This interactive exhibit will be complimented by two remote control aircraft shows each day that spectators will not want to miss.  In addition to vintage planes, the Steamboat Springs Car Club is back by popular demand and will have a variety of vintage cars on display. 

"This is a unique event in that unlike other air shows, attendees can get up close and personal with the aircraft and meet the pilots," said Evans Hall. "Airplane enthusiasts as well as families just cannot stop raving about this event."

The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bob Adams Airport at the west end of town.  Admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for children 6-16. Children 5 and under are free.  Spectators will receive the 2006 Commemorative Wild West Air Fest button with admission.

New for Labor Day Weekend! The Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge
For someone who has never seen a dog trial this event is a must.  Returning to Steamboat and moved from Memorial Day Weekend, the 2006 Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge will thrill spectators as fifty of the "smartest dogs in the world" show off their skills.  Dogs and handlers from across the country will compete in field events Sunday and Monday September 3 and 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Stanko Ranch 3.5 miles west of Steamboat Springs.  Admission is free. Please leave dogs at home. www.steamboatdogtrial.com. 

Other Special Events: Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale, Circus Chimera, Cayuse Classic and Rocky Mountain Bull Bash PBR
Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale This is the sale of the year in downtown Steamboat Springs.  Make a deal Friday through Monday September 1-4. www.steamboatsummer.com.

Circus Chimera Circus Chimera is a unique, theatrical-style circus that celebrates the Circus Arts while retaining the traditions of the traveling tent. The intimate one ring setting under a sixty foot high Big Top provides children and families with up-close and personal exposure to the stunning human endurance and ingenuity that define the genre.  There will be evening and afternoon performances Friday through Monday September 1-4.  For more information visit www.steamboatsummer.com. 

Cayuse Classic {ki-yooss} (noun):  a small pony of a western North American breed.  This inaugural horse event will bring horses and riders together to compete in events and celebrate the agricultural heritage of the Yampa Valley.  Spectator friendly events from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. include a Dressage Show (obstacle course in the English riding style) and a Gymkhana (barrel racing, poles and flag race). Admission is free.  This event takes place Sunday, September 3 at Sidney Peak Ranch.  Barbeque, live entertainment and children's activities begins at 6:00 p.m. $50 for adults and $25 for youth.  For more information visit www.communityafalliance.org.

Rocky Mountain Bull Bash Pro Bull Riding "The toughest sport on dirt" returns to Labor Day weekend.  The best bull riders in the world from as far as Australia and Brazil and across North America will try to hold on for 8 seconds and a chance to qualify to compete in the World Finals in Las Vegas this fall.  $20,000 is up for grabs on Sunday, September 3. For more information visit www.steamboatsummer.com.

Steamboat Springs Activities
The flight theme continues at the Steamboat Ski Area with the Steamboat 2006 Airmen's Rendezvous sponsored by Storm Peak Hang Gliding, Inc. Between 50 and 100 hang gliders and paragliders will take to the skies as they launch throughout the day and into the evening Thursday through Monday, August 13-September 4. 

Catch the excitement from the top of the Steamboat Gondola, hiking or mountain biking at the Steamboat Ski Area.  Or enjoy the view while playing a round at the Giggle Gulch mini-golf or while playing disk golf at Gondola Square Adventure Zone which also features the Slingshot bungee jump, East Face Climbing Wall, Children's Mini-Bounce, and the Shoot 'n Shower. Or catch a glimpse while perusing artwork and crafts by local and regional artists at the 5th Annual Art on the Mountain, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In addition to these special events, Steamboat Springs provides adventure around every corner from hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, to the scenic walks along the Yampa River or at Fish Creek Falls.  From rounds of golf to sliding down the Howler Alpine Slide or the water slide at the downtown hot springs, there's still plenty to do outdoors during Labor Day weekend.  For more information visit www.steamboatsummer.com.

10K at 10,000 feet The Steamboat Springs Running Series presents one of its most scenic runs of the series, the 22nd Annual 10K at 10,000 feet, on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.  This run starts at the Dumont Lake Trailhead at 9,600 feet and climbs rugged singletrack and dirt road to over 10,000 feet through high mountain meadows with spectacular views of the Gore Range and the Flattops Wilderness Area.  For more information visit www.runningseries.com.

Special Labor Day Weekend Package
A Wild West Air Fest package is available for as low as $128 per adult* and includes a general admission ticket to the PBR Pro Bull Riding event, the Commemorative Wild West Air Fest admission button, and includes one free night of lodging with the purchase of two nights and one free Gondola ride with the purchase of one adult Gondola ride. Book this package today at www.steamboatsummer.com.

* Package price is per adult based on double occupancy in a motel with General Seating tickets. Minimum 3-night stay is required. Rates do not include applicable taxes, fees, or optional travel protection insurance, are subject to availability and may change without notice. Offer not valid on existing reservations or with any other offer or discount including Parent/Child discounted Gondola ticket. Additional activities and nights stay may be added at applicable rates.

2006 Steamboat's Labor Day Celebration Schedule of Events

Friday, September 1:
9:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale, downtown Steamboat Springs
7:30 p.m.  Circus Chimera at the Meadows Parking Lot

Saturday, September 2:
8:00 - 2:00 p.m.  Old Town Farmer's Market, downtown Steamboat Springs on the courthouse lawn
9:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Wild West Air Fest at the Bob Adams Airport: Vintage & warbird airplane displays & cars, airplane rides, food vendors and more! Radio Controlled Airplane shows at 10am and 1pm
9:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale, downtown Steamboat Springs
10:00 - 6:00 p.m.   Art on the Mountain at the base of the Ski Area
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.   Hang gliders and para-gliders launching off of Mt. Werner
4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Circus Chimera at the Meadows Parking Lot

Sunday, September 3:
8:00 - 4:00 p.m. Steamboat Stockdog Challenge at the Stanko Ranch
9:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Wild West Air Fest at the Bob Adams Airport: Vintage & warbird airplane displays & cars, airplane rides, food vendors and more! Radio Controlled Airplane shows at 10am and 1pm
9:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale, downtown Steamboat Springs
10:00 a.m.    10K at 10,000 feet
10:00 - 5:00 p.m.   Art on the Mountain at the base of the Ski Area
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Hang gliders and para-gliders launching off of Mt. Werner
1:30 p.m.  Circus Chimera at the Meadows Parking Lot
3:00 p.m.  Pro Bull Riding at Romick Arena
4:30 p.m.  Circus Chimera at the Meadows Parking Lot

Monday, September 4:
8:00 - 4:00 p.m. Steamboat Stockdog Challenge at the Stanko Ranch
9:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Come Sale Away Sidewalk Sale, downtown Steamboat Springs
1:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Circus Chimera at the Meadows Parking Lot

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