Scheduled Events For Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start of summer is this weekend, and if you plan to stay in town this Memorial Day weekend, several area events are scheduled to help keep the family entertained.

And even though most Grand Junction residents are familiar with JUCO and the Shrine Circus taking place during the long holiday weekend, other events will take place, giving a people a choice.

The Western Slope Reining Horse Association Show will run Friday thru Sunday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds Covered Arena, 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction. Riders guide their horses through complex patterns at high speeds with spins and sliding stops. The event is free to spectators, and starts at 8:00 a.m. each day.

The North America Dog Agility Show will also take place at the Mesa County Fairgrounds (park complex), and will also run Friday thru Sunday. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. daily and is free to the public.

The 67^TH Annual Shrine Circus of Western Colorado will have performances Friday and Saturday at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Show times each day are at 10:00 a.m. (gates open at 9:00 a.m.) and at 8:00 p.m. (gates open at 5:00 p.m.) Ticket prices for adults are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate; ticket prices for children (ages 3 to 11) are $5 in advance and $6 at the gate. Children under 3 are free when accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets are available at all City Market stores. For more information, call 243-3094.

The Atrium is hosting a pancake breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Atrium, 3260 North 12^TH Street in Grand Junction. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Outward Bound for Veterans program. For more information, call 241-7718.

The Vectra Bank Vikings will hold a benefit car wash from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Vectra Bank, 2394 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Vectra Bank is raising money for the Mesa County Partners Superstars. Make any donation amount to get your car washed, but a donation of $10 or more will also get you a ticket to the Superstars BBQ on June 9^TH and a chance to win a 4-day trip for 2 to Puerto Vallarta. For more information, call 245-5555.

The 2013 Junior College World Series (JUCO) begins this Saturday and will run through June 1^ST at Suplizio Field, 12^TH Street and North Avenue in Grand Junction. In addition to the games each day, a special fireworks display will take place after Monday’s 7:30 p.m. game.

Then for Memorial Day, a couple of events are planned to honor our fallen military. FRA Branch 244 will host their Annual Wreath Floating ceremony Monday at the Blue Heron Boat Ramp, Redlands Parkway and Colorado River in Grand Junction. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. Anyone who wants to float a wreath in memory of a fallen service member is welcome to bring one and have it floated down the river.

Then at 10:00 a.m. Monday, the Fruita Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Elmwood Cemetery, 1175 17 ¼ Road in Fruita.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!