Outdoor events and activities are what make summertime in the high-country an experience not to be missed. Summit County,Coloradorolls out the red carpet for visitors and locals alike with everything from Rubber Ducky and Mountain Biking Races, to half-marathons. Keystone Resort adds to the list with entertaining and family-friendly festivals that cater to vacationers looking for a daily activity or a week long getaway. From Bacon, to Jazz, toBluegrass, Keystone has something for everyone.

1. Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour, June 23-24

For the second year in a row Keystone Resort will play host to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour that will feature, well, lots and lots of bacon! Whether you are a connoisseur of everything bacon, a foodie looking for something new or just a regular bacon lover who enjoys live music and a festive atmosphere, then this is an event for you. With thousands of pounds of bacon filling River Run Village with the aroma of salted, dried, smoked, and fried varieties, families and friends can gobble, taste, drink, wander and jam while enjoying the high altitude Colorado sunshine. And nothing goes better with bacon than beer, or a Bloody Mary, flavored of course with more bacon, so plan on plenty of cold refreshments to wash down the bacon creations. The youngest members of the family will not only have a chance to nibble away on bacon , but they will be able to participate in kids craft activities, which will be available throughout the weekend. So if you and your family are looking for something to do the weekend of June 23-24, head to Keystone Resort for everything and anything bacon!

2. Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival, July 14-15

What better way to celebrate the fine delicacies of life than sipping on a marvelous glass of wine while grooving to jazz in the picturesque landscape of Keystone, Colorado? The Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival caters to every palette with a weekend-long event featuring offerings such as a VIP mountaintop wine tasting, educational wine seminars, live jazz performances, remarkable food, sampling of over 300 wines and a KidZone to keep the little ones occupied. Performances include artists such as Salsa Con Jazz, Elan Trotman & Lin Rountree, Dotsero,intermixed with the opportunity to explore the flavors of everything from champagne to an array of white and reds from around the country, and world. Whether you wish to enrich your knowledge by attending wine seminars, or harmonize food with excellent wine pairings, the Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival will provide the perfect setting for a weekend away in the Rocky Mountains. Check out all the fun, July 14-15 in River Run Village at Keystone Resort.

3. Keystone’s 16th Annual Bluegrass & Beer Festival, August 4-5

The spirit of Colorado and summertime come together during Keystone’s Bluegrass and Beer Festival. With over 40 breweries offering a multitude of frothy brews,ranging from wheats to lagers, complemented by down-home cooking, this festival will please any food and beer lover. Plus, with live musical performances from Head for the Hills, Henhouse Prowlers, Town Mountain, the Grinz and many more, Keystone’s River Run Village will be rocking across three stages all weekend long. Also, the Keystone Bluegrass and Beer Festival will provide the unique offering of instructional music seminars that will take place both Saturday and Sunday. Seminars will allow festival attendees to learn the secrets of bluegrass through exploration of songwriting, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and guitar. Warren Station, located in River Run Village, will continue the party with music into the night both Friday and Saturday. Kid’s crafts will be offered throughout the event supplying entertainment for the youngest members of families. So come out to Keystone Resort and let the microbreweries from Colorado and beyond showcase their unique flavors in an atmosphere representative of the local mountain culture: fun and relaxed.

For more information about these events and more check-out: www.keystonefestivals.com

Photos courtesy of Keystone Resort; Blue Ribbon Bacon by Dan Davis; Bluegrass and Beer Fest by Dan Davis; Wine and Jazz Fest by Dan Davis