This year’s 86th Annual Bronc Day Festival with the theme “All Aboard for Ute Pass” will be held on Saturday, July 27, from 7 a.m. ’til 3 p.m. Bronc Day celebrates the community of Ute Pass and beyond with a day of free, fun, festive family activities.
Since 1939, Bronc Day has welcomed tourists and locals alike. Early Bronc Days boasted up to 148 horses in the parade and day’s activities. This year’s festival, coordinated by the non-profit Building Ute Pass Community, features a wide variety of paraders, arts and crafts vendors, a pie contest, a pancake breakfast with the Friends of Ute Pass Trails (friendsofutepass.org), food vendors, magicians, paint-a-train activity, pool fun, face painters, a beer garden and more.
Bronc Day is a community affair, the result of many sponsors, donors, partners and volunteers.
Festivities take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the town of Green Mountain Falls by Gazebo Lake. For a full schedule of events, or to volunteer (volunteers still needed), go to broncdayfestival.org.
Joe Olds: Bronc Day royalty
The historic king and queen of the Bronc Day parade has been replaced in more recent years by a Grand Marshall to honor a prominent citizen of the Ute Pass area. This year’s parade dignitary is Joe Olds, a third-generation resident of Green Mountain Falls, whose cabin was built in 1888. At that time, lumber and supplies were carried by hand up the mountain from Belvidere Avenue. The cabin came into Joe’s family in 1929. During World War II, the government took over the cabin for its uses for a time.
Joe moved to Green Mountain Falls as a full-time resident about ten years ago, having heard the call of the wild.
“I spent a few years making the summer cabin of my grandparents a year-round sanctuary where I could spend the rest of my life in simplicity,” says Olds. “The hidden wonders of the great outdoors, the quietness of nature, the smallness of the community-all this and more pulled me. It was a decision that has made me content ever since.”
To Joe, Bronc Day is “a lot of fun, a time for the community to come together.”
“I think it’s a good solidifying activity,” he said. “It’s changed with the times. It’s a fun day, a relaxing day.”
Be sure to join in the fun!
Cantina Verde: A new elevated dining experience in Green Mountain Falls
Cantina Verde has opened its doors to the public, just in time for the Green Box Arts Festival July 1 -14 (greenboxarts.org) and Bronc Day festivities July 27 (broncdayfestival.org).
The new restaurant is in the historic El Pueblo building of Green Mountain Falls in the former location of the now-closed Mucky Duck. Cantina Verde boasts savory southwest-inspired cuisine, comfort favorites and a smashing margarita bar. Luscious desserts will include tres leches cake and Mexican brownies with ice cream. Using fresh, simple ingredients, Cantina Verde will be serving up flavor-bursting food at 7800′.
Whether dining inside in the cozy, log-vaulted space or on the rooftop patio with jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain sunset views, you’re sure to find appealing food and drink at this new Ute Pass restaurant that is sure to become a local community favorite.
The restaurant’s partners Jordy Berson, Joe McDonald, Molly Ambrose and Jesse Stroope are participating in the revitalization of Green Mountain Falls. This new restaurant comes during an exciting time of innovation and new energy in the small town known for its serenity, beauty, hiking trails, historic gazebo and its focus on the arts.
Watch for more information on the restaurant’s grand opening in August.
Cantina Verde is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays. Cafe hours with bagels and barista coffees and teas are available from 7:30-11:00 am. Lunch and dinner hours from 11:00 am-7:00 pm. Cantina Verde is located at 10530 Ute Pass Avenue, Green Mountain Falls.
For more info, reservations and catering, go to cantinaverdegmf.com, or call 719-698-7318.
