Colorado Pork N Hops Among Grand Junction Events For Weekend Of September 13-15

We're at the halfway point of September, and if you're not superstitious (since it is Friday the 13th), here's a list of events to help plan your weekend:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

• 2013 Colorado Pork & Hops Challenge begins today (Friday) at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Pork & Hops is a BBQ competition where teams compete to see who has the best barbecue. Attendees can purchase barbecue samples from the professional barbecuers. Other activities include live music, ice cold beer, festival food and family activities. Ryan Shupe & The Rubber Band will perform at 6:00 p.m., and country group Little Texas will follow at 8:00 p.m.
• The Museum of Western Colorado presents the 8th Annual 2 Rivers Chautauqua from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road in Grand Junction. Chautauqua is an event that brings the humanities, especially history, back to life. Professional scholar-actors dressed as historical characters will be on hand to bring history to life for the audiences. Admission is $7.50 per person, $12 per couple and $15 per family per day. For more information, call 261-8137.
• Museum of Western Colorado is hosting a Downtown Walking Tour at 5:30 p.m. The tour will begin at the Museum of Western Colorado, 462 Ute Avenue in Grand Junction. Cost is $5 per person.
• Darden Smith will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Roper Music Ballroom, 136 North 5TH Street in Grand Junction. Tickets are $25, and are available at Triple Play Records (530 Main Street in Grand Junction) and Roper Music (136 North 5TH Street in Grand Junction).
• Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals begin today (Friday) at 7:00 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds Grandstands, 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction. For more information, call 255-7100.
• The Western Colorado Dragway will host the ET Series Finals throughout the weekend at the Dragway, 115 32 Road in Grand Junction. On Friday, gates open at 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday gates open at 9:00 a.m. For more information and schedule times, visit www.wcdra.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

• 2013 Colorado Pork & Hops Challenge continues Saturday at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction, with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. Pork & Hops is a BBQ competition where teams compete to see who has the best barbecue. Attendees can purchase barbecue samples from the professional barbecuers. Other activities include live music, ice cold beer, festival food and family activities. The Led Stetson Band will perform at 6:00 p.m., and country star Joe Diffie will follow at 8:00 p.m.
• The Museum of Western Colorado presents the 8th Annual 2 Rivers Chautauqua from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road in Grand Junction. Chautauqua is an event that brings the humanities, especially history, back to life. Professional scholar-actors dressed as historical characters will be on hand to bring history to life for the audiences. Admission is $7.50 per person, $12 per couple and $15 per family per day. For more information, call 261-8137.
• In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Two Rivers Chautauqua will present “El Vaquero, America’s First Cowboy.” Presentations are scheduled for 12:00 noon and 6:30 p.m. at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road in Grand Junction.
• Downtown Fruita will host the Fruita Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Civic Center lawn (weather and crops permitting). For more information, call 858-3894
• The 6th Annual Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation Golf 4 Hope Tournament will take place at the Chipeta Golf Course, 229 29 Road in Grand Junction. The tournament has a 4:00 p.m. shotgun start. For more information or to register, visit www.suicidepreventionfoundation.org.
• Colorado Mesa University’s Music Department will present Sean Flanigan (on trombone) in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, 1100 North Avenue in Grand Junction. Tickets are available at the Moss Performing Art Center box office.
• Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds Grandstands, 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction. For more information, call 255-7100.
• The Western Colorado Dragway will host the ET Series Finals throughout the weekend at the Dragway, 115 32 Road in Grand Junction. On Friday, gates open at 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday gates open at 9:00 a.m. For more information and schedule times, visit www.wcdra.com.
• Colorado Mesa University will present the documentary “Right to Play” at CMU’s University Center (Ballroom & Terrace), 1455 North 12TH Street in Grand Junction. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and film will begin at 7:00 p.m. CMU’s cycling team is hosting the screening, and proceeds will benefit the Right to Play Foundation and CMU Cycling.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

• The Town of Palisade will host its Palisade Sunday Market from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 3rd and Main in Palisade. For more information, call 464-5602.
• Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds Grandstands, 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction. For more information, call 255-7100.
• Mesa County Fairgrounds will host a Grand Junction Horse Show at 8:00 a.m. at the fairgrounds, 2785 Highway 50 in Grand Junction. The event is free for all to come out and enjoy. For more information, call 255-7100.

Have fun this weekend, and Happy Friday the 13th!