Rist Canyon Mountain Festival
Across from Fire Station 1 at 11835 Rist Canyon Road, Bellvue, Colorado
Just 14 miles from downtown Fort Collins and 27 miles from Loveland
Congratulations Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department! 2025 marks the RCVFD’s 50th anniversary. To recognize this milestone, the Rist Canyon Mountain Festival will join in the anniversary celebration.
The 2025 Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department (RCVFD) Mountain Festival will celebrate the department’s 50th anniversary with a full day’s lineup of live music and activities for the entire family. Special events, displays, and commemorative items will celebrate the department’s 50-year history. Mark your calendars for the annual RCVFD Mountain Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, 11835 Rist Canyon Road, Bellvue, CO. All proceeds benefit the department, a 501(c)3 entity. This year’s musical entertainment, presented in partnership with the Bohemian Foundation, includes Choice City Trio, Liz Barnez, AKA (Also Known As) and Wendy Woo.
“The Mountain Festival provides us the opportunity to welcome visitors and community members for a day of fun and entertainment for the entire family,” says RCVFD Chief Mark Neuroth. “Equally important is that it allows us to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our all-volunteer firefighters that respond to all types of emergencies.”
Come rain or shine, the festival is the perfect way to kick off the fall season. Festival favorites include a gigantic used book sale, silent auction, bake sale, plant sale, firefighter dunk tank, craft and art vendors, food trucks, large-covered seating area, and the 2024 RCVFD commemorative t-shirt booth. Admission, parking, tractor-pulled hayride shuttle to/from the parking area (handicapped parking available), live musical entertainment, large kid’s activity area, farm animals, educational booths and demonstrations, and ice cream all are free of charge.
The RCVFD serves a more than 110 square mile area that includes Rist Canyon, Stove Prairie, and the Buckhorn, as well as providing mutual aid to an additional 50 square miles. The approximately 35 volunteer firefighters provide emergency response to life and property from fires, natural disasters, medical emergencies, motor vehicle and cyclist accidents, and all other rescue/emergency situations.
Funds raised from the Mountain Festival are vital for the financial operation of the all-volunteer, 100% donation-based fire department. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the RCVFD Treasurer, PO Box 2, Bellvue, CO 80512, or made through PayPal at www.RCVFD.org/donate. RCVFD is a 501(c)(3) organization.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We’re looking for volunteers for the week of the festival (September 3-7, 2025), including setup and teardown activities as well as Festival Day volunteers. If you have some time, please sign up to help out!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4BA9A823A2FF2-56482829-2025
Questions? Contact festival@rcvfd.org
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
Join our other wonderful community sponsors in supporting the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department!
Sponsorships are critical to the success of the festival’s ability to raise funds for the fire department’s operational needs. By helping us control the costs, they allow us to provide a full day’s line up of live entertainment and activities for the entire family. Sponsorships also help us draw crowds by making the event family friendly providing free admission, parking, tractor-pulled hayride shuttle to/from the parking area, live music, large kids’ activity area, farm animals, RCVFD resource booth, educational booths and demonstrations, and ice cream.
Sponsorships range from Presenting Sponsor at the $5,000 level to Festival Friends at $100 with seven levels in between. Sponsorships of specific tents are also available. In-kind and monetary donations also are greatly appreciated. Contact James Clutter at 970-657-5254 or clutterj11@gmail.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Free LIVE MUSIC All Day Long!!!
Wendy Woo and her Band have been part of the Colorado music scene for three decades. They bring rich harmonies with a fusion of originals and nostalgic covers. Wendy Woo is a resident of Loveland, CO. She is a singer/songwriter who plays both electric and acoustic guitars and is known for her unique “Slap Tap” acoustic guitar work. She has recorded more than 100 original songs that span a variety of genres including folk, blues, funk, rock, and pop music.
Liz Barnez and her band bring an eclectic style of guitar playing and songwriting to the stage. Their music incorporates elements of Folk, New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Country and a hint of Pop. Having grown up in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, she began her musical career in the Bourbon Street clubs. She mixes Funk with Gospel, Soul and Dixieland music. She has created a signature “Acoustic Swamp Rock ” style. She brought her music to Colorado Stages in the late 80’s and hasn’t slowed down since.
AKA (Also Known As) has been part of the Northern Colorado music scene since 1996 when they played as Prairie Dog Companion at New West Fest in Fort Collins, CO. They play an eclectic brand of Americana music they call “City and Western.” Their music has influences from Bakersfield to Cajun Louisiana and from Nashville Newgrass to Memphis Rock-A-Billy. They are a six piece band featuring a wide range of musical instruments and powerful vocals.
The Choice City Trio features riveting vocals by area resident, Alan Anderson. He sings alongside an acoustic 12-string guitarist and an electric bass and percussionist. They feature original songs plus a variety of traditional favorites. They emphasize community connection through a unique method of musical storytelling.
FIREFIGHTER DEMONSTRATIONS AND DUNK TANK
One of the highlights of the festival is the opportunity to dunk a firefighter! Get ready to make a splash and support our local heroes! Take your best shot at dunking a firefighter and help raise money for the fire department. This is a great way to support your local volunteer firefighters and have some fun at the same time. We also will have firefighter demos where you will be able to see all the gear that we use to help our community. Please stop by the firefighter tent and say hi to all first responders. We are happy to answer any questions or just chat with you.
MOUNTAIN VEHICLE SHOW
If you have a race car or a rock crawler with stories to share, or want to check out the interesting vehicles your neighbors own, come check out the vehicle show at the Festival. This year entrants will be classified into two divisions: Pavement for classic canyon cruisers, and Dirt for off-road adventure vehicles. Vehicle registration fee for RCVFD residents is $20, and $45 for non-residents. At the festival, you can purchase a ballot with a $1 or more donation to vote for the Fan Favorite in each of the Pavement and Dirt divisions. In addition, the volunteer fire fighters will also choose 2 Fire Fighter Favorites. Winners and prizes will be announced at the end of the festival. 100% of proceeds benefit the RCVFD. Opportunities are also available for dealership or sponsorships.
If you’re interested in entering a vehicle, or volunteering to help with advertising for entrants, dealer sponsorships, registrations, or day of event, please reach out to Josef Dvorak, Chair at Vehicle_Show@DvorakHome.com or 970-631-4789
BOOK TENT
Come visit our massive book tent – thousands of books!!! Hardback and paperbacks. Large selection of fiction and non-fiction categories, books on tape/cd, DVDs, music CDs, jigsaw puzzles, vinyl records, comic books, and large selection of children’s books. Everything is priced at amazing low prices.
Prior to the Festival the community can donate books at our drop off boxes located in front of Fire House Station # 1, located at 11835 Rist Canyon Road or the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ near the Bellvue Post Office. Starting in June we will also have drop boxes at the Laporte Hardware Store and Laporte Pizza.
If you have any questions, please contact Chair: Patti Clutter at 858-248-6328 or email at clutterp28@gmail.com or Co-Chairs: Carolyn Stanley at 970-221-2024 or email at cloud9sewing@gmail.com, and Kathy Cox at 970-472-1972 or email at kathyc228@yahoo.com.
SILENT AUCTION
This year’s silent auction is, once again, going to be a must-visit. Last year, people who attended gave to a great cause by bidding on and taking home so many amazing items: Dinners out for two or ten (or twenty). Visits to the bowling alley, a unique local theater, a dairy, to the museum, to a family adventure center–for a fun time out. A Stihl chainsaw, tools, a tool cabinet, and a backyard grill/smoker/firepit/oven. Lessons on knitting, training your dog, riding a bike, and a one-on-one writer’s workshop. Whitewater rafting trips. Jewelry and other handcrafted items of all kinds made by local artisans. A haircut, a facial. Rare books, liquor, and so, so much more. Check out some of the wonderful items so graciously donated – perfect for a special gift or a treat for yourself!!! And don’t forget – if you can’t stick around till the end of the festival, you can choose the Buy it Now option and take your prize home with you right away. See lots of the fabulous items right here: Festival.rcvfd.org/
Contact Janet Siegel at silentauction@rcvfd.org if you have any questions or have donations for the Festival.
FOOD TRUCKS AND BOOTHS
Culinary Delight Line up for 2025
Schmickel’s: Hot Dogs and Burgers, Wild game brats
La Campechana: Mexican Food
Waffle Lab: Savory chicken and waffle dishes
Schnitzel Wagon: Chicken and pork German-style schnitzel, Mediterranean Foods
Charlotte’s Lil Kitchen: Vegetarian
VENDOR BOOTHS
We have a full house of vendors attending the festival this year! Stroll up and down several aisles to browse and shop the many new and returning favorite vendors. Enjoy a vibrant mix of artisan jewelry, woodcrafts, metal art, original art, pottery, handmade items, yummies like Palisade peaches, local honey, dipped pretzels, and hot sauces to name a few and so much more. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover local craftsmanship. Cash and credit card sales available.
The 2025 Festival is currently at full vendor booth capacity!!!
NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS
Come join us in the non-profit and educational area. There will be over 20 non-profits, various Larimer County organizations and many emergency vehicles. For additional information or if you have a non-profit interested in joining us, contact Trisha at tajohnLMT@gmail.com.
PLANT SALE
The Plant Sale next to the Free Ice Cream station will have an amazing selection of
house plants this year. Our plants are home grown by volunteer community members and 100% of proceeds benefit the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. Our selection is different every year; past years’ highlights include heirloom award-winning African Violets in bloom, a 100-year-old Easter cactus, and a fruit-laden tomatillo. If you’re short on cash, no worry, most plants are between $5 and $20. If you love plants or would like to learn more about them, there are still spots available to volunteer in this beautiful mountain meadow. If you love plants or would like to learn more about them, there are slots available to foster plants before the sale and volunteer at the festival.
BAKE SALE TENT
Drop by the Bake Sale Tent at the RCVFD Mountain Festival and support the Volunteer Fire Department! The Bake Tent offers lots of delicious homemade baked goods donated by local community residents. Purchase whole pies or choose a slice to eat while wandering the booths or listening to live music. Assorted smaller treats such as; cookies, bars, brownies, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and breads will also be available for purchase. Whether snacking or taking home for later, your taste buds will not be disappointed! All proceeds support the EMS and Fire operations of the RCVFD.
ICE CREAM TENT
Free Scoop of Ice Cream in a cup or on a cone! Every time you enjoy a scoop of our mouthwatering flavors, you show us how much you care for our Volunteer First Responders. We have multiple local ice cream producers donating up to 6 gallons of Ice Cream each. Some amazing flavors they have
donated are Cappuccino, Strawberry, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean, Andes Mint, Chocolate, Cookies-n-Cream, Matcha Vanilla, Bing Cherry, Almond, and many more! Non-dairy ice cream will be available upon request. Enjoy a scoop and drop a Donation in the Boot to show your appreciation for the hard
work of our Volunteer First Responders!
KID’S ACTIVITIES
Bring the whole family to our Kid’s Area and enjoy a variety of activities while supporting our local fire department. Some of the FREE activities include calf roping, games, races, coloring tables, farm animals and BUBBLES! Hope to see you there!
MERCHANDISE TENT
Show your support for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department ALL YEAR LONG when you’re outfitted with some amazing RCVFD supporter swag. We have some great offerings this year including a black RCVFD Supporter shirt, a heather blue logo’d unisex tee, and new this year, a heathered olive women’s fit logo’d tee, a purple logo’d women’s tank, and a heather blue logo’d hoodie. From summer to winter, you can show your support! Stop by the merchandise tent early because these new offerings are not going to last long!
CONTACT US:
Contact information for the various festival activities, information, or how you can be involved, is available from the following Friends of the Festival:
- Craft & Vendor Booths: Debbie at debandlyle007@gmail.com
- Nonprofit Booths & Kids Activities: Trisha at tajohnLMT@gmail.com
- Live Entertainment: Sandy at sandymdreilly@qwestoffice.net
- Book Tent: Patti at clutterp28@gmail.com
- Plant Sale: Kimberly Carr at carr@kiewit.com
- Silent Auction: Janet at equuphile@gmail.com
- Ice Cream: Nancy Diefenderfer at nmmarti76@hotmail.com
- Bake Sale: Darcy at darcy_arlene@hotmail.com
- Food Trucks: Bridget at bridget@frii.com
- Corporate Sponsorships: James at clutterj11@gmail.com
- Social Media/Website: Debbie at weebeecostumes@gmail.com
- T-shirts Ordering and Sales – Sarah Rowan and Lauren Lee (co-chairs) Sarah: sarahrowanhomes@gmail.com Lauren: laurenlee288@gmail.com
- Media Inquiries: Karen at rcvfdfestival@gmail.com
- Vehicle Show: Josef Dvorak at vehicle_show@DvorakHome.com
- For all other inquiries, contact HJ Siegel at HJ@computer.org
We look forward to having you join us!