Glenwood Springs, Colorado celebrates a major milestone this year; 2010 marks the resort town’s 125th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association and its tourism partners have planned events and activities that span the entire year from January through December, and recall the memories and history of this rail, river, spa and spelunking town.
One of the most exciting and innovative promotions is the Glenwood Springs Birthday Coupons Campaign. By registering online at www.visitglenwood.com/birthday, guests become eligible for freebies and discounts on their personal birthdays for activities, dining and more in 2010. Depending on the season, guests can ski at Sunlight Mountain Resort, swim at the Hot Springs Pool, take a mineral bath at the Spa of the Rockies, steam in the Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves, enjoy a massage at Arcella’s Retreat, explore and play at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, raft the Colorado river, go horseback riding, and more, plus indulge in delicious food at restaurants around Glenwood Springs – all for FREE!
In addition to the Birthday Coupons, Glenwood Springs will be hosting many free and low-cost activities that will be accessible to everyone and take place in and around the town, with an emphasis on the historic downtown corridor. According to Kate Collins, Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association Vice President of Tourism Marketing, “This is an historic birthday and we’re celebrating in an historic way – not only will our guests receive even more added value to their Glenwood Springs vacation, they’ll be able to enjoy the best that Glenwood Springs has to offer for free.”
The entire year is peppered with an eclectic variety of things to do. Samplings of upcoming events and activities that are making Glenwood Springs an even more memorable vacation destination in 2010 include:
• Glenwood Springs Birthday Vacation Packages will be ongoing throughout the year. Look for packages for $125 and less, which will change throughout the year. For winter, visitors can book a package that bundles a lift ticket to Sunlight, a Glenwood Hot Springs Pool pass and overnight lodging for $125, or less, per person per day, based on double occupancy. Go to www.visitglenwood.com/packages for details.
• Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, a popular downtown eatery located in the Hotel Denver, will be brewing a special batch of beer the week of August 25th with all Colorado grown ingredients and served in commemorative beer glasses.
• A fascinating look back on Glenwood Springs through the eyes and memories of the town’s elders. Specially produced video clips will play at venues throughout Glenwood Springs.
• The Frontier Historical Society’s “Walking History Tour of Glenwood Springs,” is available for free to those who come to the Visitor Information Center at 11th Street and Grand Avenue and request it. This informative guide, which normally retails for $3.00, takes visitors past Glenwood Springs’ most historic buildings and brings to life the tales of days gone by.
• Keeping with the historical theme, Glenwood Springs’ most famous characters will be wandering the streets this summer. Keep an eye out for gambler and gunslinger John “Doc” Holliday, Kid Curry, and even former U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.
• Glenwood Springs is a city dedicated to public art. To commemorate its 125th birthday, a new mural will be painted on the Anderson building in downtown. This prime location is a hub for local activities including the Tuesday Farmer’s Market and a Grand Holiday Celebration.
• The Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, a professional theatre company modeled on historic vaudeville acts that once made regular stops in Glenwood Springs, will be performing skits in downtown Glenwood Springs.
• When visitors spend $125 in Glenwood Springs’ shops and restaurants, they become eligible for a drawing for a $125 Glenwood Springs Chamber Check. Drawings are held monthly and all entrants will be eligible for the grand prize drawing of $1250 at year end.
• The theme for the annual Strawberry Days festival will center around the 125 Year Birthday Celebration and incorporate historical aspects into many activities including the parade down Grand Avenue.
Incorporated on August 25, 1885, Glenwood Springs was always destined to be a resort town. Visionary town fathers Isaac Cooper and Walter Devereux understood the uniqueness of the area and how the hot springs would become the central attraction that would draw visitors to Glenwood Springs. A world class resort grew up around the Glenwood Hot Springs that included the Hotel Colorado and drew dignitaries such as President Theodore Roosevelt and western movie star, Tom Mix.
As word spread, more people came to “take the waters,” and Glenwood Springs grew to accommodate the demand – the historic train depot allowed visitors to arrive in style; the Hotel Denver created more lodging options. Though people came to indulge in healing hydrotherapy treatments, they also discovered that hot springs were not the only diversion. The historic Fairy Caves, better known today as the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was a popular outing, as was fishing on the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, hiking and hunting on the Flat Tops, and polo matches at the polo grounds.
One hundred and twenty five years later, people still come to Glenwood Springs, Colorado for many of the same reasons – to relax, to play, to enjoy the scenic and natural wonders. Join Glenwood Springs in 2010 and discover the reason people have been visiting this unique resort town in the Rocky Mountains for 125 years and counting.
http://www.visitglenwood.com/birthday-coupons
About Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is located between Aspen and Vail, 165 miles west of Denver or 90 miles east of Grand Junction on Interstate 70 off exit 116. For more information about Glenwood Springs, Colorado, call 970-945-6589 or go to http://www.visitglenwood.com/. For lodging reservations, call 888 4 GLENWOOD (888-445-3696). A complete press kit and press releases are available at http://www.visitglenwood.com/press-kit and http://www.visitglenwood.com/press-releases. Access to downloadable photos is available at http://www.visitglenwood.com/photos. Glenwood Springs is located between Aspen and Vail, 165 miles west of Denver or 90 miles east of Grand Junction on Interstate 70 off exit 116.
Media Contacts:
Lindsey Lewis, Vice President of Tourism Marketing
Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
970-945-6589
lindsey@glenwoodchamber.com
or
Vicky Nash, Public Relations Representative
Resort Trends, Inc. – Tourism & Resort Communications
970-948-4923
vicky@resorttrends.com
