Trail races, country music, BBQ, volunteer opportunities and more this weekend in the Vail Valley
With the trails drying out downvalley and the slopes still getting snow for skiing and riding, there's plenty of ways to spend the weekend
Boneyard Boogie
Are you ready to run? The Vail Recreation District is kicking off its annual Vail Trail Running Race Series and the first stop is downvalley with the Boneyard Boogie in Eagle. The race series is well known for its iconic routes and the vast experience the organizers possess for putting on a top-notch race. It has been going on for 25 years and was named by the American Trail Running Association as Race Standards Certified for exceeding measurements in safety. It’s a locals favorite with many runners – highly skilled and novice – coming out to test their physical and mental strength each year.
The Boneyard Boogie offers a 14K and a 6K option. Both races will start at the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink with the 14K starting at 9 a.m. and the 6K at 9:15 a.m. Eagle is known for its singletrack, which flows through the pinyon groves and juniper shrubs. The elevation gain will be around 1,200-feet for the longer race and 375-feet for the shorter race.
At the race finish, grab a donut from long-time sponsor Northside Coffee & Kitchen and then head to the post-race party at this weekend’s race sponsor, Capitol Public House, for awards, prizes and a free Mountain Time Lager beer and a burger. This trail running race series runs through mid-September with locations moving up valley as the trails dry up to the east. Sign up for the series or participate in individual races, the schedule and more details can be found at VailRec.com.
Bikes & BBQ Fundraiser for The Cycle Effect

The Cycle Effect is hosting its annual Bikes & BBQ “Friendraiser” this Saturday. Gather some friends or meet some new ones during the day at the mountain bike clinic. There will be a group mountain bike ride after a bike clinic for beginner and intermediate riders. Topics covered include bike handling skills, bike maintenance and more. Space is limited so contact The Cycle Effect to get signed up. The bike clinic and ride will go from 1-3 p.m. This is for those 18 years old and older, and the price is $150 and that includes the professional coaching, swag from The Cycle Effect and sponsors and a drink ticket for the party at Moe’s BBQ in Eagle.
If you just want to attend the Moe’s BBQ party it is free and open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. with live music by The Platonics. There will be plenty of giveaways such as bike gear and accessories from Seagull’s Cycles, Shredly women’s bike clothing, Yeti Cycles men’s bike shorts, Liv bike helmet and other items like a Melanzana hoodie and a portrait session with Jiang Photography Studio.

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The money raised from the event provides the coaching, bikes, gear and transportation The Cycle Effect riders need to get out on the trail. To learn more, go to TheCycleEffect.org.
The Fabulous Femmes perform country music at Route 6 Cafe

Put on your cowboy duds and do a little boot scootin’ with the Fabulous Femmes on Sunday night at the Route 6 Café in EagleVail. The trio consists of three very talented women with impressive backgrounds. Beth Swearingen has performed on Broadway, Kathy Morrow has been tickling the ivories all over the world for 35 years and Charis Patterson has been performing on stage her entire life and is currently a member of the board of directors for the Vail Valley Theatre Company. The Fabulous Femmes are known for their high energy shows and costumes that showcase the theme or decade of music they are performing. Country music has now been added to the mix, so come out and dance and enjoy the Women of Country show at Route 6 Café from 7-10 p.m. $10 cover at the door. There will also be dance instruction for $10 from 6-7 p.m. For more information, go to TheFabulousFemmes.com.
Volunteer opportunities

Even though National Volunteer Month was held in April, there are several nonprofits throughout the Vail Valley that are always looking for community members to offer their time, talent or treasure. This weekend there are two volunteer events you can take part in. The Vail Valley community was built upon its members giving back to the valley, so take a little time to do something good for others and you may find you are rewarded in return.
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Volunteer Day
Head out to the wide-open spaces near McCoy and spend your day around the horses at Mountain Valley Horse Rescue. This nonprofit is hosting its monthly Community Volunteer Day on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come early and be treated to a free pancake breakfast, but after that, get ready to get dirty by doing chores like scooping horse dung and filling water troughs, but it will be all worth it when you get to meet the horses who will hopefully find a forever home soon. All ages are welcome, no experience is necessary and no need to RSVP, but if you do have questions or want to learn more, go to MountainValleyHorseRescue.com.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Community Bench Day
In conjunction with National Public Gardens Week, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is inviting you to roll up your sleeves and help them get their benches ready for the busy summer season. The nonprofit’s Community Bench Day will provide a good upper body workout as you sand and stain the iconic benches that sit amongst the beautiful plants and flowers in the garden named for former First Lady Betty Ford. All tools and materials will be provided, but if you happen to have a sander, bring it along to help to process flow a little faster. All ages are welcome, and lunch will be provided. Go to BettyFordAlpineGardens.org for more information.
Arapahoe Basin is still open for skiing and riding

Although Copper Mountain and Breckenridge closed last Sunday, Arapahoe Basin has announced that it will stay open until early June. Recent snowfall and a base of over 50-inches has allowed The Legend to have one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in Colorado.
To add to the skiing and riding, A-Basin also knows this time of year is all about the party and is doing its weekly Shakin’ at the Basin concert series on Saturdays. Head to Mountain Goat Plaza from 12:30 to 4 p.m. for DJs and live bands. This week’s band is Princess and the Evolution.
Also this weekend, A-Basin is hosting Gay-Basin: Ski & Ride with Pride on Saturday and Sunday. There will be ski parades, DJs and a rail jam. If you don’t ski or ride but still want to participate, there will be a foot passenger ticket for $25 so you can travel up on the mountain for the action. For more information, visit ArapahoeBasin.com.
