Wildflower Festival Celebrates Natural Explosion of Color in Crested Butte Colorado July 11 17 2005



May 20, 2005 -- Designated the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado State Legislature in 1989, the historic mountain town of Crested Butte will host the 19th annual Wildflower Festival July 11 - 17, 2005. The festival spans the peak of wildflower season in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and aims to share a universal appreciation of wildflowers, assist in the propagation of wildflowers, teach environmental awareness, and promote conservation and preservation of natural resources for future generations.

More than 180 individual events are planned for the 2005 Wildflower Festival that will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent sight of miles and miles of wildflower fields abloom in the Gunnison-Crested Butte countryside. Here is a glimpse of what is planned for this year's festival.

-Daily alpine flower identification hikes, backcountry flower walks, wetland tours and in-town garden tours.
-An overnight hike from Crested Butte to Aspen or from Aspen to Crested Butte (approximately 9 miles).
-Bicycle, four-wheel drive tours and horseback rides.
-Workshops focused on natural history, butterflies, landscaping (including Xeriscape), painting and drawing, cooking, crafts, gardening, herbs and medicinal plants.
-Annual wildflower art exhibit and sale.
-Garden tea parties, dinner and picnic featuring edible flowers, river walk and beer garden featuring wildflower beer, homemade ice cream parties, and Sunday brunch.
-Evening slide shows, lectures and flute concert.
-Wildflower folklore and evening stories in Marcie's garden.
-Boutique selling annual poster, t-shirts, books and many unique wildflower gifts.

Visitors also can enjoy the many other activities that draw people to Gunnison-Crested Butte throughout the season. Crested Butte is located in the West Elk range of the Rocky Mountains. Mountain biking, hiking, sightseeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, horse back riding, boating and fishing are among the favorites. In addition, visitors can dine at the area's fine restaurants and shop at the local galleries, boutiques and outfitters.

For more information about the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, visit www.CrestedButteWildflowerFestival.com, or call (970) 349-2571.

To find out more about Gunnison-Crested Butte's summer calendar of events or to book personalized vacation packages, call the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association's official reservations center at (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. During the summer, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities. In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options - from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels.

Dubbed the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and Crested Butte Academy, a private college preparatory boarding and day school. Gunnison, a real western town celebrating its 125th anniversary, is home to the beautiful, high-country campus of Western State College, a four-year institution offering 22 majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields, and the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water and home to the largest Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country's newest national parks. Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.





Wildflower Festival Celebrates Natural Explosion of Color in Crested Butte Colorado July 11 17 2005