Trustee Talk on Aug. 27
Join Trustees Chris Eshelman and Mark Igel for the next Trustee Talk Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Room, 170 MacGregor Ave. This is an opportunity for community members to discuss local issues with board members in an informal setting.
Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue tickets on sale through Aug. 28
The Estes Park Museum will host Unwinding Historic MacGregor Avenue, a fundraising history tour, Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The self-paced tour begins at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and travels south along MacGregor Avenue to Bond Park, with volunteers stationed at historic sites to share stories and information.
Two timed-entry sessions are available, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m., with 30 tickets available for each session. Tickets are $100 and must be purchased by Friday, Aug. 28. Refreshments and limited shuttle transportation between designated sites will be provided.
Proceeds benefit the Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation General Fund and support the museum’s programs and mission.
Tickets are available through the Town of Estes Park’s online programs page. For information or assistance, contact Museum Program Assistant Josie Hildreth at jhildreth@estes.org or 970-577-3765.
Community Initiative Funding
The Town of Estes Park is accepting applications from local organizations seeking 2027 Community Initiative Funding. Funding is available to organizations that serve Estes Valley residents, subject to Town Board priorities and available funds.
Organizations must submit an application and supporting documents by Aug. 31 to Suzanna Simpson. For more information, call Simpson at 970-577-3700.
The Town Board will prioritize requests during an October budget study session, with final funding subject to approval of the town’s budget in November. Organizations receiving 2027 funding must submit a final project report, written as an educational news article, by May 31, 2028.
Visit Estes Park board opening – apply by Sept. 4
Applications are being accepted for a volunteer position on the Visit Estes Park Board of Directors. VEP is the destination marketing organization for Estes Park designed to promote local tourism, lodging, dining, and outdoor activities.
Board members must have lived within the Visit Estes Park service area for at least one year before their appointment and must continue to live within the service area throughout their term. For full details on this role and the board’s responsibilities, please review the VEP Board Bylaws. Past meeting agendas, board packets, and access information for upcoming meetings are available here.
The board meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Members may attend meetings in person or virtually. The selected applicant will complete a term that expires Dec. 31, 2030.
Interested applicants must submit a volunteer application, resume, and cover letter by 5 p.m. on Sept. 4.
Estes Park schools seek community voices for advisory and accountability committee
The Estes Park School District is seeking community members to serve on its District Advisory and Accountability Committee, which provides stakeholder input on district goals, finances, and other issues affecting local schools.
The committee includes teachers, parents, community members, and business owners. Members learn about district operations, ask questions, share perspectives, and help promote accountability and accessibility.
This year, the committee will help develop the district’s next three-year school calendar. Members will review proposed calendar options and make recommendations to Superintendent David Grubbs and the Board of Education. The board is expected to vote on the calendar during the second semester of the 2026-27 school year.
The committee will consider student learning, family and staff needs, accessibility, and the broader community as it evaluates calendar options.
The committee’s mission is to advise the district and hold it accountable to its mission, vision, and goals. Its vision calls for the community and district to work together to ensure students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become successful and responsible citizens.
Community members interested in serving on the committee must submit a completed application by noon Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Apply for the District Advisory and Accountability Committee
Anything but a boring board meeting
The Estes Park Sister Cities Association is putting a lively spin on its annual membership meeting this year, trading the usual meeting format for an evening of Latin dancing inspired by its sister city of Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Members of the Estes Park community are invited to join the fun, learn a few new steps, and try the salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue, and bachata — dances popular throughout Costa Rica.
Professional dance instructor Joseph Snowhawk and his partner, Kasia, will lead the evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Pavilion at The Stanley Hotel, which is donating its space for the event.
No previous dance experience is required — just a willingness to get out of the chair and onto the dance floor.
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Fest to mark golden anniversary
The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 11-13 at the Estes Park Event Complex, 1209 Manford Ave.
The three-day festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features Scottish Highland athletics, Highland dancing, British Isles dog exhibitions, Celtic music, food and drink, cultural demonstrations and more than 100 vendors.
For the first time, the festival will host the U.S. Women’s Pro Highland Games Championships on Saturday, Sept. 12, featuring top professional female athletes competing in traditional Scottish heavy events.
The Estes Park International Tattoo, featuring military music, pipes and drums, dance and pageantry, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Evening concerts are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Anniversary festivities begin Thursday, Sept. 10, with Highland Hops Whiskey Trail events at Full Throttle Distillery and Bogey’s Sports Bar and Kilts & Cocktails at The Stanley Hotel.