NEWS RELEASE Ouray, Colo.

's Signature Events Range from Old Fashioned to Quirky­-From Fourth of July to Festivus, Ouray offers unique and fun festivals throughout the year- Ouray, Colo. (March 9, 2010) — From A (athletic) to Z (zany), Ouray, Colo., hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year that offer the perfect excuse to plan trip to the “Switzerland of America.” Here is a look at what is on Ouray's fun-filled calendar this year. TASTE OF OURAY, June 9, 2010: What better way to experience the true flavor of Ouray than with the Taste of Ouray celebration, held every June. Including a tantalizing and delicious sampling of local cuisine, the festival also features music and beverages. The Taste of Ouray is held at the community center. FOURTH OF JULY, July 4, 2010: One of the most cherished traditions of Ouray's old fashioned Fourth of July celebration is the water fights on Main Street that grew out of the old mining days of Ouray in the late 1800s. In addition to the water fights, other festivities include: the Firefighters Dance; horse races; a pancake breakfast; “Ourayce” (a 10K walk-run); a patriotic parade; kids games; barbeque; zip line rides; and a Jeep flare parade, followed by fireworks over the city. 50th Annual Artist's Alpine Holiday, July 30 - August 7, 2010: This is the 50th anniversary for this celebration that features a number of outstanding events during the nine-day gala. Enjoy the exhibition of the Ouray County Arts Association (OCAA) Permanent collection at the Ridgway Library and other gallery venues, a judge's workshop, a “Paint-Out” event on Main Street Ouray, Artist' Demonstrations, Studio/Gallery Tours, and Children's workshops. Visit http://www.ourayarts.org/aah.html for more information. MT. SNEFFELS HALF MARATHON & GRILLIN' CHILLIN' THRILLIN' MUSIC AND BREW FEST, August 28, 2010: A challenge followed by a chill session is in store. The Mt. Sneffles Half Marathon, benefiting Mt. Sneffels Educational Foundation, starts at the Ouray Hot Springs Park, winds through the city of Ouray, along the Uncompahgre River Valley, and finishes at the Ridgway Soccer Fields. Visit www.mtsneffels.org to learn more about the Mt. Sneffles Half Marathon events. After your heart-pumping morning run (or fist-pumping shift in the cheering section!) head over to Fellin Park for the Annual Grillin' Chillin' Thrillin' Music and Brew Fest. Enjoy live music, tasty BBQ, cold microbrews from breweries on Colorado's western slope, and the chance to keep the adrenaline flowing with a thrilling ride on the zip line. IMOGENE PASS RUN, September 11, 2010: For 37 years, athletes have challenged themselves to a grueling, 17-mile race from Ouray over 13,114-foot Imogene Pass to Telluride. This is one of the premiere mountain races in the country that has grown to include thousands of participants each year. Racers must be 15 years or older, and participants must pre-register to participate. Registration opens on June 1 and fills up fast. Visit www.imogenerun.com to learn more and sign up. OURAY MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUN & OURAY OKTOBERFEST, October 2, 2010: Cold beers, hot brats and a challenging endurance run. It is all on tap October 2 when Ouray plays host to the Annual La Sportiva Ouray Mountain Trail Run, followed by the annual Ouray Oktoberfest celebration. The 14-mile trail run follows U.S. Forest Service Trails around the historic mining town. Proceeds from the run support local Ouray youth recreational programs and events. After the race, runners may join their friends and family to refuel at the town's Oktoberfest celebration, which kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Ouray Community Center. The festivities also include the Annual Jeep Raffle Drawing, dancing, door prizes and the popular Museum Quilt Raffle. FESTIVUS, December 19, 2010: Modeled after the hilarious “Seinfeld” television show, Ouray's Festivus Street Party includes carols, food, seasonal beverages, bonfires, and, of course (in keeping with the true spirit of Festivus), the “airing of grievances.” OURAY ICE FESTIVAL, January, MLK Weekend: Each January, world-class athletes converge on Ouray for the Ouray Ice Festival (www.ourayicefestival.com). The festival is held at the Ouray Ice Park (www.ourayicepark.com), the world's first park dedicated exclusively to ice climbing. The Ouray Ice Festival is arguably the ice climbing community's favorite gathering of top competitors, spectators and climbing gear manufacturers. It includes professional competitions, ice climbing clinics, slide shows, an outdoor bazaar and gear demos and a silent auction. BETTY ICE BALL, January: Dedicated exclusively to women, Ouray's Betty Ice Ball offers half-day ice climbing clinics (at really affordable prices), catered dinners, public events (for guys, too) and networking opportunities. Sponsored by the popular ice climbing gurus, Chicks with Picks, the ball offers novice climbers the chance to dabble in the sport without signing up for one of the longer clinics. Visit www.chickswithpicks.net to learn more. About Ouray: Located at 7,700 feet above sea level in southwest Colorado, the National Historic District of Ouray is surrounded on three sides by 13,000-foot peaks, earning it the nickname “The Switzerland of America.” Ouray is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, offering rock climbing, hiking, four-wheeling and mountain biking in the summer and ice climbing, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. To learn more about the area log on to www.ouraycolorado.com. Contacts: Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.comKaren Avery, Ouray Chamber Resort Association, 970.325.4981, boxcanyonlodge@gmail.com # # #