Over the course of summer there are many amazing events. For some reason, August seems to be the month of mega festivals. It must be that summer is winding down. That it’s your last chance to get out there and have one more bit of fun before school starts. Here are just a few of our favorite festivals of August that happen every year during this month:
Downieville Classic
August 1st – 4th 2019 – Downieville, CA
This is one of the most famous mountain biking competitions on the planet. From the pure chaos of people jumping into a river for the Shimano Cast-off contest to the more organized Downieville Classic Race, this will be a good time for sure. Be sure to check out our full post: The Origin Of Mountain Biking.
Shambhala
August 9th – 12th 2019 – Nelson, BC
In case you’ve never heard of it, Shambhala is one the largest EDM festivals in the world! Each year this gathering is held the first week of August in the small town of Salmo at a 500-acre cattle ranch in the West Kootenay Mountains near Nelson, British Columbia. An interesting fact about this event is it is family-run and has never accepted corporate sponsorship. For its 22nd year, nothing has changed and they were still able to secure acts like:
- Anti Up
- Kaskade
- Troyboi
- Mark Ronson and many more
If you enjoy great music along with views of some of the most amazing mountains you could ever see, this festival is for you. After taking in this multi-day party, be sure to head down the road a bit to spend a few days in Nelson. This funky mountain town has some of the best cuisine anywhere and great shopping as well. For additional insight on Nelson, go here.
Crankworx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival
August 9th – 18th, 2019 – Whistler, BC
Whistler is sometimes considered the home of action sports! It should come as no surprise that one of the craziest mountain biking events in North America is held there. Crankworx is a 10-day multi-disciplinary mountain bike festival celebrating epic endurance, supreme flow, monster air and vertical-dropping riding. It’s a great time in an awesome place! What more could you ask for? To read more about the Enduro segment, please check out our post.
Concours d’ Elegance Wooden Boat Show
August 9th – 11th, 2019 – Lake Tahoe, CA
Do you love classic wooden boats? Have you ever wanted to see them in person, cruising the open water? Then you need to head to North America’s largest wooden boat show on Lake Tahoe. In its 45th year, it draws up to 100 entrants and over 5,000 spectators to see old school vessels restored to their pristine beauty. A must see for any maritime enthusiast.
The Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run
August 10th, 2019 – Bozeman, MT
Considered one of the toughest trail races in North America and maybe the world, it tests every individual that attempts it to their fullest. Held in Bozeman, Montana, this race has a gain of over 6,800 vertical feet AND a 9,500 foot loss.
With an exposed ridgeline, this race is not for the faint of heart. To make it even more difficult, the “short” way down is 19.65 miles filled with loose ground, rocks, and even boulders. This means that the less intimidating route of the race gets extended to over 20.55 miles. This is a serious run for any trail runner that wants to test themselves.
Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge
August 16th – 18th, 2019 – Hood River, OR
Just down the road from Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge is known for its kite boarding and wind surfing due to the consistent wind funneled through. It is also home to one of the most popular Standup Paddleboard events of the year, the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge. Located at Hood River’s Waterfront Park, it features:
- A crescent-shaped beach for the starting and staging areas
- Great stadium style viewing area for spectators
- Large grass area for the vendor tents, onsite restrooms, and plenty of parking
- Best of all, it is walking distance to downtown Hood River
