When I first read the headline I thought this was some Hard Rock Band. In actuallity it really is a Tomato Battle! Yes folks, Copper Mountain is staging an honest to goodness Tomato Battle. Think: Spain’s La Tomatina + Oktoberfest + live music = Tomato Battle. According to wikipedia, La Tomatina (Valencian pronunciation: [la tomaˈtina]) is a festival that is held each year in the Valencian town of Buñol, in which participants throw tomatoes at each other. It is held the last Wednesday in August, during the week of festivities of Buñol.
This weekend Copper Mountain is bringing their own version to Colorado with festivities beginning at noon with a beer garden, BBQ and event registration. Soon after, live music starts and music by Meniskus will fill the Burning Stones Plaza. A welcome speech and a procession to the battle grounds commences at 3 p.m. Over 300,000 pounds of past-ripe roma tomatoes that were aborted just before literally getting canned will be ready for whipping at your best bud and anyone else you see fit to throw it at! A human Gazpacho is to ensue. The battle royal between tomato wielding Mafioso’s starts after the first fruit is thrown at 3:15 p.m.
Don’t get upset, these are overripe tomatoes that could not be used for consumption and all remains and splatters will be scooped up and composted. Love this!
The winner of the Facebook “Tomato Battle of the Bands” contest, Be Brave, starts rocking at 3:30 p.m. In addition, live music and more tasty beverages will be available after the battle royal, with RePlay lighting up the stage at 5 p.m., followed by the Denver-based band, Vices I Admire, taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Suggestions for all Tomato Warriors:
Protective eyewear is suggested.
Costumes are highly encouraged, and the cooler the better. There will be a costume contest during the welcome speech, so, if you are coming with a crazy-fantastic group of tomato enthusiasts, let everyone know it. In addition, clean attire is recommended for the post-tomato apocalypse.
All tomato acceleration devices are banned, including, but not limited to: potato guns, water balloon launchers, dog tennis ball throwers, two-person sling shots, rackets, paddles, bats, etc.
Copper Mountain opened on Friday, June 17 for summer activities, events, dining, shopping and much more. Copper offers summer guests an array of special events, live music, golf, cycling, Free Fridays at Copper (FAC), base-area as well as on-hill activities, Woodward at Copper and many more adventures – all in an intimate resort setting. Copper Creek Golf Course, where your buck and ball go further, also plans to open on Friday, June 17.
A Summer Season Activity Pass at Copper is available for only $69 and Summer Activity Day Passes are only $39. Perfect for those guests coming up for a week, make sure to check out the 4 of 7 Day Activity Pass for only $54. These three summer passes offer unlimited access to the Quad Bungee Jump, mini golf, scenic chair lift rides, West Lake activities, bike/equipment hauls, the climbing wall and limited sessions per day on Summit County’s only go-kart track.
Other ongoing activities this summer at Copper include mini-golf, bocce, North America’s Highest Championship Golf Course – Copper Creek, GPS scavenger hunt, croquet, horseshoes, mountain biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, horseback rides and cattle drives, ATV tours and a multitude of West Lake activities. All on-mountain activities are dependent on snow melt and plan to open July 1.
Summer Events
The Copper 2011 summer events schedule includes all your favorites like 3 Ring Weekend, Courage Classic, Guitar Town, Copper Country, Genuine Wine and Jazz and Warrior Dash, in addition to NEW events such as the Mountain Pose Yoga Festival as well as the Tomato Battle.
3 Ring Weekend
July 01 – July 04, 2011
A free family event featuring live music, a conscious carnival, the “Primp my Ride” kid-powered parade, fireworks and interactive activities designed to educate and entertain. This summer enjoy the musical samplings of Jeremy Dion, as well as the Salteens. Bringing back the 80s, and new this year, is the 1st annual Big Wheel Rally on Saturday, July 2, from 1-2 p.m., with both kids and adult races. For more info, visit www.3RingWeekend.comMore details
FAC – Fridays at Copper!
July 01 – September 02, 2011
This summer, FAC stands for Fridays at Copper, and it also stands for FREE. Starting June 17, which is, you guessed it, a Friday, Copper’s FAC includes free music, free movies and free activities. The free live music and movies begin July 1. Ok, the activities are almost free; just spend $30 in the Village on Fridays and you get free tickets to the village activities, from bungee to bumper boats. Guests may redeem the free pass at Guest Services in Copper Sports in the Village at Copper.More details
In conjunction with 3 Ring Weekend, the Copper Half Marathon returns for a 5th year. In addition to the half marathon through the scenic Rocky Mountains, runners can test their skills with the Saturday 10k trail run and the kids MaraFun Run for ages 3-12 later in the morning. The course starts and finishes in the heart of the Village at Copper and has a little something for every level of runner; a great t-shirt, an expo, beer, food and FUN. Call (303) 926-1017 for more info or to register for the races.More details
American Dance Training Camp
July 03 – July 09, 2011
Hey, girls: what are you doing this summer? Come spend a week or two making new friends and having tons of fun while learning the latest jazz, funk and hip-hop dance moves at American Dance Training Camp, the ULTIMATE overnight dance camp!More details
Mountain Pose Yoga Festival
July 07 – July 10, 2011
For health care providers and wellness enthusiasts, enjoy the first annual Mountain Pose Yoga Festival, featuring 3 days of medical researchers and professionals, yogis, musicians and motivational speakers, in a breathtaking mountain setting, all while having the chance to earn up to 6 Continuing Medical Education credits.More details
American Dance Training Camp
July 10 – July 16, 2011
Hey, girls: what are you doing this summer? Come spend a week or two making new friends and having tons of fun while learning the latest jazz, funk and hip-hop dance moves at American Dance Training Camp, the ULTIMATE overnight dance camp!More details
Parker Artists Guild Village Art Walk
July 15 – July 17, 2011
The Parker Artists Guild is made up of a wide variety of artists living in and around the Douglas County and Denver Metro areas, bringing fine art and fine craft of all styles to Copper for this 2nd annual Village Art WalkMore details
Courage Classic
July 23 – July 25, 2011
A renowned cycling event in Colorado, the 22nd annual Courage Classic returns to Copper, for a three-day journey fueled by individual and team fundraising efforts that benefit The Children’s Hospital in Denver.More details
Hike MS & Benefit Concert with the Freddy Jones Band
July 30, 2011
You’ll move. You’ll be moved. Join Hike MS to make a powerful statement, and to keep moving toward a cure. This exciting event was created in 2010 to challenge participants of varying ability and experience levels with three progressively harder Hike MS routes. Families may enjoy a leisurely 2-mile hike on the Green Route, while experienced hikers can choose the more advanced 5-mile Blue Route, or take the challenge and attempt the 10-mile Black Diamond Route, all part of the Copper trail system.More details
Copper Triangle Bicycle Tour
August 06, 2011
The famous Copper Triangle has long been considered one of Colorado’s classic alpine road rides. Graced with 78 miles of breathtaking scenery, gorgeous roads and three challenging climbs (including Fremont Pass, Tennessee Pass and Vail Pass), the Copper Triangle exemplifies cycling in the Colorado Rockies. The 2011 ride works in partnership with the Davis Phinney Foundation to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research. For more information visit www.coppertriangle.comMore details
Guitar Town Featuring Colorado Cigar & Brew Festival
August 12 – August 14, 2011
The world’s best guitarists come together at Copper for the 7th annual Guitar Town festival, featuring free guitar workshops, free live music, Guitar Hero contests and kids’ music activities. Set to perform this summer are Lee Ritenour, Albert Lee and John Jorgenson, and many more. www.copperguitartown.comMore details
Warrior Dash
August 19 – August 21, 2011
Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme run…basically, the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes. This running series is held on the nation’s most demanding and unique terrain. Participants will conquer extreme obstacles and celebrate their feat with music, beer, warrior helmets and muddy shorts.More details
27th Annual Genuine Jazz & Wine
August 26 – August 28, 2011
Genuine Jazz & Wine lets YOU mingle with the stars of Jazz while sampling some of the country’s best wines.More details
Copper Country
September 02 – September 04, 2011
A FREE Labor Day festival tradition, Copper Country celebrates the best of the American spirit. Incredible live music, Arts Festival, kids’ crafts, the Copper Kids’ Corral, mechanical bull rides, a petting zoo and pony rides come together to make it the Labor Day event for the entire family.More details
Summit County’s Fall for the Arts Celebration
September 09 – September 11, 2011
During the first annual, county-wide arts celebration, enjoy a weekend of music, fine art, theatre, dance, children’s activities, and, of course, Summit County’s legendary fall colors. This event is organized by Arts for the Summit, a locally supported organization that represents over twenty cultural entities in Summit Country, CO.More details
