FRISCO, Colo., Aug. 30 -- The pine beetle continues to cause devastation in Frisco, Colo., so the town is hosting its 3rd Annual BeetleFest on Sept. 11, 2010, to raise awareness about the ravages of the pine beetle and to raise funds to help end the epidemic. During BeetleFest, attendees can run or walk in a 4K Beetle Stomp, and participate in zany activities, including a lumberjack show, a Volkswagen bug bash, live music and more. Plus, there will be experts on hand with information about the pine beetle epidemic, what mountain towns are doing to combat the problem and how citizens can help.
The overall event is free, but there are fees associated with the Beetle Stomp. Food, drink and retail vendors also will be selling their goods. All proceeds will support the Dillon Ranger District's mitigation and preservation efforts.
The family-friendly activities at BeetleFest include: -- 4K Beetle Stomp - Registration for this fun run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the race kicks off at 10:00 a.m. at the Historic Park Gazebo on
Main Street. Runners can wear their favorite beetle-themed attire and compete for the "Best Individual Beetle Costume" and "Best Team Beetle Costume" awards. For more details and to register for the run, please visit www.theevilpinebeetle.com. -- TimberWorks Lumberjack Show (presented by STIHL) - This logging competition includes axe throwing, underhand chopping, log rolling and chainsaw carving, just to name a few of the Paul Bunyon-like activities during Beetlefest. -- Volkswagen Bug Bash - Festival goers will have the opportunity to pick up a sledgehammer and take out their pine beetle aggression on a
Volkswagen Beetle. -- Bug Petting Zoo - Get a close up look of a mountain pine beetle among other creepy crawlers. -- STIHL Chainsaw Bug Jar Contest - How many bugs can you fit in a jar? At BeetleFest, you'll have the chance to guess and win a STIHL MS 290
and a 20" bar chainsaw. Guesses are $1 and proceeds benefit the Dillon Ranger District's restoration projects. The jars of bugs will be on display Aug. 14 at Sanders True Value in Silverthorne or the Visitor Information Center in Frisco. We'll reveal the closest guess at BeetleFest on Sept. 11. -- Chainsaw Carvers - Wood carvers will be along Main Street creating artistic pieces out of beetle kill wood. "It's important to educate people about the pine beetle's destruction of Colorado's lodge pole pines," said Suzanne Lifgren, Town of Frisco marketing director. "Experts have estimated that pine beetles have destroyed more than three million trees in Colorado. Since Frisco is in the heart of the devastation, we're committed to help with reforestation efforts with events like BeetleFest."
For further information about the Town of Frisco or BeetleFest, visit www.townoffrisco.com.
The overall event is free, but there are fees associated with the Beetle Stomp. Food, drink and retail vendors also will be selling their goods. All proceeds will support the Dillon Ranger District's mitigation and preservation efforts.
The family-friendly activities at BeetleFest include: -- 4K Beetle Stomp - Registration for this fun run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the race kicks off at 10:00 a.m. at the Historic Park Gazebo on
Main Street. Runners can wear their favorite beetle-themed attire and compete for the "Best Individual Beetle Costume" and "Best Team Beetle Costume" awards. For more details and to register for the run, please visit www.theevilpinebeetle.com. -- TimberWorks Lumberjack Show (presented by STIHL) - This logging competition includes axe throwing, underhand chopping, log rolling and chainsaw carving, just to name a few of the Paul Bunyon-like activities during Beetlefest. -- Volkswagen Bug Bash - Festival goers will have the opportunity to pick up a sledgehammer and take out their pine beetle aggression on a
Volkswagen Beetle. -- Bug Petting Zoo - Get a close up look of a mountain pine beetle among other creepy crawlers. -- STIHL Chainsaw Bug Jar Contest - How many bugs can you fit in a jar? At BeetleFest, you'll have the chance to guess and win a STIHL MS 290
and a 20" bar chainsaw. Guesses are $1 and proceeds benefit the Dillon Ranger District's restoration projects. The jars of bugs will be on display Aug. 14 at Sanders True Value in Silverthorne or the Visitor Information Center in Frisco. We'll reveal the closest guess at BeetleFest on Sept. 11. -- Chainsaw Carvers - Wood carvers will be along Main Street creating artistic pieces out of beetle kill wood. "It's important to educate people about the pine beetle's destruction of Colorado's lodge pole pines," said Suzanne Lifgren, Town of Frisco marketing director. "Experts have estimated that pine beetles have destroyed more than three million trees in Colorado. Since Frisco is in the heart of the devastation, we're committed to help with reforestation efforts with events like BeetleFest."
For further information about the Town of Frisco or BeetleFest, visit www.townoffrisco.com.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.