Palisade, Colorado, offers many different events throughout the year. While the focus of these festivals and fairs might be anything from peaches to wine, almost all of them have a musical component. The area borders the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa National Forest, allowing for plenty of outdoor activities. The annual snowfall average is only about 12 inches so you can enjoy the area no matter what time of year.
June plays host to the Palisade Roots Music Festival. You can hear everything from bluegrass and jug bands to blues and Native American music. Many of the attendees stay along the Colorado River as the festival provides on-site camping. You can also attend workshops if you like to play and the musicians will come together for jam sessions. For the children there are activities such as a small playground and horseshoes. Fishing ponds are all around the area, there’s a disc golf course and a boat launch.
In September, Palisade hosts the Colorado Mountain Winefest. There are a number of wineries in the region, giving you a chance to taste local area blends as well as vendors who bring their wine from afar. There are more than 45 wineries participating in the event. Live bands play to keep the energy flowing. Saturday in the Park is the event most focused on music. You can listen to the music as you participate in the grape stomp.
The Palisade Peach Festival is celebrated every August. You can come and taste the local orchards' products. Street dancing usually takes place the first night as well as a bike tour of some of the orchards. Live musical entertainment and dancing is provided at night while different local bands or solo acts take the stage during the day. Other events include a pancake breakfast, a car show and a fun run.
A number of bars in the area showcase live music on a weekly or monthly basis. The Livery in Palisade normally has a jukebox playing old country favorites, but local bands come in on Friday and Saturday nights to entertain the patrons. Nearby Grand Junction has Naggy McGee's Irish Pub and Rockslide Brewery. You can keep up with the live entertainment for Naggy McGee's on Facebook; Rockslide updates its website monthly to keep guests in the know.
