On Saturday, July 15, the Dolores Summerfest will kick off in Flanders Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature live music, a car show, food, vendors, beer garden, family-friendly activities and more. Entry into the event is free this year.
Furry friends wearing a leash are also welcome to attend and join the fun.
“The highlight is going to be the car show, the music and all the kids games. We're trying to make Summerfest a little bit of everything for everybody,” Dolores Chamber of Commerce’s Susan Lisak said.
Spots are still open for the car show, and vehicles can be entered on the event day if room is still available. Car show entry is $10 per vehicle, and includes cars, trucks and motorcycles. Those interested can sign up on the website https://www.visitdolores.com/copy-of-dolores-summerfest. Sign-in the day of the event will begin at 9 a.m.
Cars will be parked on Central Avenue in Flanders Park, and the public will vote on which vehicles will win an award. There are 10 potential car awards, and they include best in show, best car, best truck, best motorcycle, best muscle car, best paint job, best rat rod, best ag vehicle, best interior and best engine.
The public will have until 3 p.m. to vote, and winners will be announced at 4 p.m.
The event, which first took place during the summer of 2020, will also have multiple food vendors and other vendors, as well as a beer garden. The beer garden will feature beer from Dolores River Brewery, Mancos Brewery, Yellow Car Country Wines and more.
Lisak said they will also have a slushie machine and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Some of the other vendors and food that will be present are End of Trail Catering with barbeque, Navajo tacos, and artisans with henna tattoos, jewelry, artwork, resin art and more.
Denkai Animal Sanctuary will also be present, bringing multiple dogs who will be available to adopt.
Live music includes multiple bands who will perform at various times throughout the day. The Whiles will perform at 11 a.m., Bentley Monk at 1 p.m., One Stan Band at 3 p.m. and The Flyaways at 5 p.m.
Children will have multiple opportunities to try many different activities, and the Summerfest Kid Zone will also have a bubble pile created by the Dolores Fire Department for the second year in a row.
Using a fire truck, the fire department creates massive bubbles using dish soap that children can play in, creating a fun bubble experience.
“It was great; the kids really loved it. So, that's why we're bringing it back,” Lisak said.
Other Kid Zone activities are a bounce house, inflatable slide, ski ball putting, disc golf basket, face painting and more.
For more information, visit the Dolores Chamber of Commerce Summerfest website https://www.visitdolores.com/summerfest.
