Thank you for your continuing support of The Ramspondents.
In addition to keeping you informed about cultural events here in the city like the two you’ll read about today, we’ve also been working hard on stories about the upcoming election on Nov. 4. Did you know there are currently seven residents vying to replace Jeni Arndt as Fort Collins mayor? And rather than pick one of these seven people to be the next mayor, for the first time we’ll use rank-choice voting to determine who gets the job. Are you ready to decide who is your first, second and third choices rather than just who is your top choice?
Do you have questions about the upcoming election that you’d like us to answer for you? Drop a line to [email protected] and we’ll get to work on it next week.
— Jake Sherlock, Ramspondents editor
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park celebrates 40 years
By Bear Atwood
The Ramspondents
From dairy farm to community center, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park will celebrate its 40 year anniversary on Sept. 13.
The celebration will go from from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free admission. The event will host food trucks, farm animals, line dancing and barnyard games. There will also be free parking on the east lot of Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood St.
Named after Librado “Lee” Martinez, a community member and a democratic political activist in Fort Collins, the park itself was opened to the public in 1977. The Farm opened soon after in 1985, according to a 2020 Coloradan article on the park.
The park was initially a tree dump, and it’s the place where Lee Martinez had a fatal heart attack while helping demolish an ash pit. Today the park stands as a gathering place for families and community members with The Farm creating a space to learn and connect with Fort Collins’ agricultural roots.
Open Streets 10th annual event is this Sunday
By Matthew Horn
The Ramspondents
Fort Collins is no stranger to public events, especially when it comes to live music. Over the past 10 years, Open Streets has given the community a chance to celebrate Northern Colorado’s music and culture.
“Open Streets is designed to promote safer, more accessible streets by encouraging active modes of transportation such as walking, biking and skating,” a press release from the city said.. This year the event will take place on Lady Moon Drive, where the city can highlight “the importance of shared public spaces.”
The overall goal for this event is for the local community to connect with each other by closing down roadways and giving more options for people to walk through multiple forms of entertainment, cultural events, food and dessert trucks, and fitness classes, all for free.
Open streets will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14 Notable bands performing include:
Bourbon Brass Band - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Shtonk Brass Band - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Wes Watkins – noon - 2 p.m.
Greyrock Jazz Band - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
School of Rock and Polaris Youth Stage - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
CSU junior Matthew Horn is working toward his major with focus on journalism, sports broadcasting and a hint of music.
Maps showing the planned event area and road closures for Open Streets 2025, as well as a key for different entertainment and food/beverage options. Image Provided by the city of Fort Collins.