You Don't Have to Kayak to Love Colorado's FUNC Fest

If you're looking for fun in Montrose this week, the free FUNC Fest at the river bottom is where the party will be.

Returning August 7 and 8, the annual Fun on the Uncompahgre (FUNC) Fest transforms the river bottom into a block party, with kayaking competitions, river surfing, live music, food vendors, and one of Colorado’s funkiest river parades.

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What Is FUNC Fest in Montrose?

August is the time of year when the city of Montrose celebrates the Uncompahgre River. FUNC Fest, short for Fun on the Uncompahgre, is held at the Montrose Water Sports Park and Riverbottom Park. It’s a mix of combined whitewater competitions, live entertainment, and family fun that has become one of the Western Slope's popular river celebrations. Organizers say this year's theme is "United Uncompahgre: Community in the Name FUNC.

The FUNC-Y River Parade Is Unlike Anything Else

One of the most anticipated parts of FUNC Fest takes place on Saturday, August 8, at 2 P.M. It’s the FUNC-Y River Parade. Watch as your friends and neighbors launch homemade floats and drift down the Uncompahgre River. The weekend also features kayak races, stand-up paddleboard competitions, and river surfing, making the Uncompahgre the star all weekend.

Live Music, Kids' Activities and Plenty to Explore

Colorado Families Love This Montrose Summer Hot Spot — TSM GJ W Adams

Musical entertainment for the weekend includes Gotta Be and The Band of Heathens on Friday night, and The Violet Pines and Heavy Diamond Ring on Saturday. Families who want to stay out of the water will find a kids’ zone, face painting, yoga, interactive exhibits, and water safety demonstrations around the river bottom. Come check it out.

LOOK: Thirteen Cool Facts About Colorado’s Uncompahgre River

Western Colorado is home to the Colorado River, the Gunnison River, and the Uncompahgre River. As the smallest of the three, most people aren't as familiar with this important waterway serving Ridgway, Montrose, and Delta. Keep going to learn thirteen cool facts about the Uncompahgre River in western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

MORE: 10 Facts You May Not Have Known About Colorado's Fort Uncompahgre

Colorado's Fort Uncompahgre is believed to be one of the first Anglo settlements built on the Western Slope. Fort Uncompahgre was erected several years before "Bent's Fort' on the Sante Fe Trail. Today, it exists as an interpretive site in Delta, Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

UP NEXT: Colorado's Gold Mountain Fire: July Photos

Behind every increase in containment are hundreds of firefighters working long hours in steep, rugged terrain. These photos from the front lines offer a closer look at the crews, equipment, aircraft, and challenging conditions shaping the fight against the Gold Mountain Fire.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: Colorado’s Ultimate River Party Is Back in Montrose This Week

Filed Under: Montrose Colorado, Colorado Rivers

Categories: Colorado News, Colorado Local