It has been a wonderful summer in Winter Park - by Shanna Lalley

t has been a wonderful summer of non-stop activities in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley this summer. This picture was taken at the last High Note Thursday concert in Hideaway part in downtown Winter Park I thought it was great with both the full moon and a rainbow! Hunker Down kept everyone entertained, even while we waited out a brief rain storm. This past weekend Winter Park hosted a successful beer festival with brewers from all over the west. And the weekend before Brett Michaels, Skidrow & Warrant entertained those of us with fond memories of the big-hair 80s. Even though summer in Grand County is winding down there are quite a few fun events still to come This weekend (8/20 & 8/21) is the Famous Flamethrowers High Altitude Chili Cookoff. Costumed chili chefs compete in this regional cook-off for the state title and the opportunity to represent the Rocky Mountain region in the World Chili Cook-off. Top prizes will be awarded for Most Creative Chef, Best Red Chili, Best Green Chili, and Best Salsa contests. A portion of event proceeds benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). This is a free event open to the public.The cookoff will be located at the base of Winter Park Resort ski area in the plaza. The following Saturday, 8/27, join the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter for the inaugural Mud Run MS Colorado, Saturday August 27th in Winter Park. Mud Run MS is a 10k course designed and built by a company with more than 12 years of experience producing Mud Runs. The course includes boot camp style obstacles, most of which contain water and mud! Help create a world free of MS by registering today. 100% of the money raised by participants will benefit the National MS Society. To make a weekend of it, come up to Winter Park Ski Resort on Friday for a little downhill mountain biking. During Freeride Friday you get a downhill mountain bike, lift ticket, protective gear and all the runs you can fit into 3 hours for just $34.99. Enjoy what is left of summer! The ski area opens November 16^th a mere 3 months away.