During the last few years, Friday evening has featured a family-friendly kickoff event, and this year, NAPA Auto Parts sponsors the movie “The Croods” at the Rangely Junior-Senior High School auditorium at 5 p.m.
UINTAH RAILWAY TOUR
An all-day adventure tour of the Uintah Railway leaves from Elks Park at 8 a.m. with local historian Rodger Polley. Please arrive by 7:30 a.m., with travelers planning to bring their own vehicle, lunch, snacks and drinks (note that bathrooms will not be readily available throughout the day). The group will make stops in Watson, Utah and at the Dragon and Rainbow mines along the way.
If hanging around town is more your style, head to the Fast, Flat and Free 5K at 8 a.m., which begins from Elks Park. Those with a little more sleep and training under their belts can meet at the Elks Park Playground Pavilion at 7 a.m. to be shuttled to the Blue Mountain Half Marathon’s starting point. Although the deadline is past to register for a medal and T-shirt, you can still show up the morning of and join the fun for a $20 registration fee.
BULLS ‘N BOGEYS
Still want to spend time outside without running cramping your style?
Join a team of four (including a bull rider, bull fighter or contractor) at the Bulls ‘N Bogeys tournament at Cedar Ridges Golf Course on Saturday morning. Play begins at 9 a.m., but call Cedar Ridges at 675-8404 to sign up before tee time. The cost is $60 per player, with cash prizes awarded to the winning team.
If your kids aren’t likely to wait around for nine holes, head to the Elks Park parking lot between 9 a.m. and noon for the Rangely Police Department’s annual bike rally, with helmets and safety light giveaways and bike prizes up for grabs.
WATER SLIDE AND CHILI
On Saturday, starting at 1:30 p.m., the family can bring a picnic lunch and inflatables to the park, the last opportunity this year for kids to launch down water slides and run giant obstacles courses.
At 2 p.m., the Elks Park Pavilion is the place for a bench press contest for men and women ages 15 and older, followed by Septemberfest’s annual chili cookoff at 4:30 p.m. Come with your red or green chili ready to serve, or just show up for tasting. Cash prizes will be handed out at both events.
BULLS TO BE RIDDEN
Saturday evening will mark the fifth year running for the Colorado Northwestern Community College rodeo program’s annual fundraiser, Rock ‘N Bulls, starting at 7 p.m. Thirty-six bulls and riders from six states will go head to head with the top six contenders battling it out in the short round. Ticket prices are $20 for VIPs, $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Children three and under get in free.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Next up is the Rangely Museum’s ice cream social Sunday afternoon. Starting time is 1 p.m. at the East End Park, with participants invited to taste contest entries and a bowl of hard-serve while, well, socializing.
Local band Fiscus and Gravy will also perform.
Those who still want to join the competition have until Friday morning to call the museum at 675-2612 and until 4 p.m. to bring a gallon of homemade ice cream to the museum (natural ingredients only, please).
MUD AND WATER
Sunday at 5:30 p.m. kicks off the Muddy Dip ‘N Dash obstacle course at the old Parkview Elementary School location. Then it’s time for Sunday evening worship at Elks Park at 6 p.m., followed by five-person teams of Mud Tug ‘O War back at the old Parkview site. Participants can register at the events.
On Monday morning, early risers can arrive around daybreak for the annual Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast, which runs from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at the firehouse. Adults eat for $5, kids for $2 and families for $15.
From there, those joining in the Star-Spangled Parade can gather at Nichols and Main Street at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. parade start.
CRAFT FAIR, AUTO SHOW
Starting at 10 a.m., Elks Park will be the place for the craft fair, which features more than 60 vendors, and the annual car show, with as many as 75 cars taking up grass on the park’s north end.
A single-elimination cribbage tourney starts at the pavilion at 10:30 a.m., and the community barbeque begins right at 1 p.m., with a $2 per-person minimum donation.
Once park events finish up around 5 p.m., you can stop off at the Green River Bridge on North White Avenue to see whether your floating friend might be first to cross at the RHS Student Council Duck Race. To buy a duck, contact a StuCo member, stop by the Rangely High School library or call adviser Diane Sizemore at 675-2253. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.
The weekend’s final event is a free concert by country/Western singer Charley Jenkins at the Elks Park softball field on Monday at 6:30 p.m. A beer garden will be offered, with concert goers asked to bring their own seats or blankets.
For more details, contact the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation Center at 675-8211.
