2 Best Performing Arts Venues in Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado, Colorado

Every year since 1980, mid-July in Steamboat has meant hot-air balloons and fine art, a combination that draws folks from miles around to watch more than 25 balloons float out over the valley from Bald Eagle Lake each morning. The rest of the weekend is devoted to the display and sale of hundreds of works of art from all over the world at West Lincoln Park.

You can watch professional sheepdogs in action at the annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials, a prestigious five-day international competition and one of the town's biggest draws. Sheepdogs and their handlers perform sheepherding maneuvers on a closed course while competing for a $27,000 prize. The event takes place at Ute Park the weekend after Labor Day.