Copper welcomes the USA Pro Challenge cyclists and supporters in the only way the authentic mountain community knows how—a festival party. Copper Mountain plans to offer action and cycling-centered activities for the family to enjoy, along with free music concerts and screening of the Aspen finish line.
Although cyclists won’t pedal from Stage 3 until Wednesday, August 19, the party at Copper begins the day prior, on Tuesday, August 18, as cyclists ride in from a grueling leg of the Challenge. The party is planned to continue through the day on Tuesday and into late-afternoon on Wednesday.
USA Pro Challenge
Denver-based indie folk/baroque pop band Paper Bird starts the celebration with a free live performance on West Lake Stage in Center Village at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks follow at the East Village at 9:15 p.m.
Also that evening, tickets can be purchased for the Pro Challenge Rider’s Lounge, held from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at Grand Hall in Copper’s East Village, where guests attend a ritzy mountain chic experience. Fine dining, beverages and the opportunity to meet NBC announcers Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and Christian Vande Velde highlight the evening. Guests can also meet several athletes competing in the Pro Challenge.
At 9:00 am the next morning, the Start Festival begins with chairlift rides, stilt artists, face painting, a cycling mural, blender bikes, free cotton candy for kids and brunch and beverages for adults.
Racers get back in the saddle at Copper’s Burning Stones Plaza, with sign-in and interviews at 10:15 a.m.
Copper Mountain bumper boats
Industrial Rhythm takes the stage at 11:35a.m. with an urban movement show, combining breakdancing and hip hop. Denver native Zack Heckendorf, who has shared the stage with Michael Franti and Spearhead, plays next at 12:45pm, with Fort Collins’ Matt Mahern wrapping up at 4p.m.
The Copper Festival Village remains open until 5:30 p.m., with a tour viewing party equip with screening jumbo-tron, showing footage of the Pro Challenge rolling into Aspen for the end of Stage 3.
For details, visit prochallenge.coppercolorado.com.
