7/1/2017 -- Rapids & Grass

Buena Vista Kicks off Rapids & Grass, a Craft Beer and Music Festival on June 30th - July 2nd

Nestled at the foot of the Continental Divide, at 8,000 feet, lies Buena Vista, a town known for its pristine mountain peaks, roaring rapids and adventurous spirit. Take in the sweeping mountain views and the sounds of the river, jam out to amazing live acts featuring Bluegrass, Soul, and Americana, and sample unlimited beer tastings from a variety of esteemed local and out-of-state breweries at Rapids & Grass. The weekend long event starts with free tunes by the river and drinks at The Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar on Friday, June 30th. The ticketed event starts flowing Saturday with unlimited beer sampling and live music at South Main Square. Following the beer festival, on Sunday July 2nd, ride the rapids of the Arkansas River on the Freedom Float, a seven mile float that starts at the South Main Square and takes you down a section of Class 3 Whitewater. Attendees have the option of purchasing either partial or full ticket packages. A partial festival ticket ($40) includes festival entry, and a full festival ticket ($70) includes festival entry and a ride on the Freedom Float. Friday and Saturday camping by the riverside are included in both ticket packages.

Friday, June 30th: Welcome Party and Free Live Music

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Kick off the weekend’s upcoming festivities at the Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar.

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Free live music at the South Main Square.

Saturday, July 1st: Beer Festival and Live Music

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Doors open and live music starts.

3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Beer tasting from more than 40 breweries with live music playing from the main stage. Food is available for purchase from local food trucks.

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Live music continues. Beer is available for purchase from Elevation Beer Co.

Sunday, July 2nd: The Freedom Float

A seven mile float lets you ride along the rapids through Class 3 whitewater and takes you to the Riverside Grill where you can enjoy food and drinks for purchase while hanging out on a sandy beach. A shuttle will bring you back to the starting point after lunch. Check ticket packages to make sure this rafting experience is included.

Participating breweries: 4 Noses Brewing Co., Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., Atom Brewing Co., Avery Brewing, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, Black Shirt Brewing Co., Call to Arms Brewing Co., Cerebral Brewing, Colorado Cider Company, Comrade Brewing Co., Crestone Brewing Co., Deerhammer Distilling, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Eddyline Brewing, Elevation Beer Co., Epic Brewing, Great Divide Brewing Co., Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Horse & Dragon Brewing Co., La Cumbre Brewing Co., Left Hand Brewing Co., Living the Dream Brewing Co., Melvin Brewing, Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery, Ninkasi Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery, Outer Range Brewing Co., Periodic Brewing, Pueblo Vida Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Soulcraft Brewing, Stem Ciders, Telluride Brewing Co., Trinity Brewing, Upslope Brewing Co., Ursula Brewery, Westbound & Down Brewing Co., Wiley Roots Brewing Co., Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, Zwei Brewing.

Live Music: Rapidgrass, Head for the Hills, Gipsy Moon, Caribou Mountain Collective, Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers, The Lonesome Days, Gipsy Cattle Drive, Sally & George.