Telluride Colorado Celebrates All & Nothing

Festival Capital of Southwest Hosts 30 Events a Year

Mar 12, 2009 Diana Lambdin Meyer

This Colorado ski resort tucked away in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado throws parties at least 30 times a year celebrating everything from balloons to blues

Telluride Colorado holds events that recognize chamber music, regional authors, and environmental resources. Bluegrass and something called “doo-dah,” wine and technology and mushrooms and art have their own celebrations.

The Jazz Celebration the first weekend of June and the Bluegrass Festival the third week of June have been around for more than 30 years.

The newest event on the schedule is the Yoga Festival in early July. Noted yoga instructors from around the world will lead classes while workshops on vegetarian cooking and ayurvedic medicine will address other holistic lifestyle issues.

But by far the most original festival: the Nothing Festival held mid- July and celebrating not much at all. The event originated when some locals, delighted with a break in the many summer activities, decided they must celebrate nothing happening. Locals, and any other willing participants, get down to their bare nothings and streak through the park, ride a bike in the buff and otherwise wear nothing while doing nothing.

Telluride Ski Resort

Once a thriving mining community, Telluride all but disappeared off the maps until hippies discovered the mountain town in the 60s, followed by snow skiing enthusiasts in the 80s.

Despite development that can accommodate more than 5,000 guests at anytime of the year, Telluride has maintained its quirky charm in large part by protecting the historic structures in the community. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark and the days when Butch Cassidy and his “Wild Bunch” rode through the streets are not that hard to imagine.

Explore the fortitude of the people who founded the town with a visit to the historical museum, originally a hospital for miners. Among the more sobering displays is an x-ray of black lung, a condition that cut short the lives of many people in this area.

The museum also directs visitors to Popcorn Alley, the city’s infamous “sporting district.” It was called that because of the frequent pop made by screen doors as customers entered and left the various sporting venues.

More of the town’s history can be found at Smuggler’s Brewpub, located in a historic mining warehouse at the corner of San Juan and Pine Streets. In addition to good burgers and baby back ribs, guests enjoy reading the history of the mining community scribbled in the original handwriting of those who worked in the old warehouse.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness

But whatever you do while visiting the area, remember that the air is quite thin at 10,000 feet. Many flatlanders may experience altitude sickness, which includes dizziness or lightheadedness, slight nausea, difficulty sleeping and fatigue or weakness.

To avoid altitude sickness, limit strenuous activities the first couple of days you are at the higher altitudes, giving your body time to acclimate. Also drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol intake.

However, do not fear that minimizing alcohol intake will minimize your good times in Telluride. There’s a party for every occasion and every lifestyle, and this summer is the time to take the high ground and celebrate!

The copyright of the article Telluride Colorado Celebrates All & Nothing in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Diana Lambdin Meyer. Permission to republish Telluride Colorado Celebrates All & Nothing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.