FUNC Fest - August 9 & 10, 2024

Calling all water sports enthusiasts and fun-loving folks to come out and enjoy the annual Fun on the Uncompahgre, aka “FUNC Fest” for two fun-filled days of activities, both on and off of the water. The event will occur at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater on August 9 and at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park on August 10, 2024. 

FUNC-y Line-Up!

FUNC Fest features a full schedule of water sports competitions, live music, activities for the whole family, local vendors, a food truck village, and a beer garden!

Live Music @ the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater and Riverbottom Park

FUNC Fest 2024 kicks off with FREE live music on Friday, August 9, at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater! Heavy Dimond Ring performs at 6 p.m., followed by Desert Child at 7:30 p.m. A food village will complete the festive spirit with food and beverages from 5 to 9 p.m.

Along with FUNC-y fun on the river on Saturday, August 10, at the Water Sports Park, live musical entertainment will round out the day with DnG Railroad performing at 6 p.m., followed by Cousin Curtiss at 7:30 p.m.

Water Sports Competitions

• Riverbottom Downriver Race
  Go fast and take chances.  This time-trial downriver race begins at Chipeta Park and ends at Riverbottom Park. Racers will be released at 1-minute intervals and paddle roughly 2.25 miles to the finish line. Learn more ...
• Youth Flow Fury Boogie Board Championships
  Ride the river's rhythm and conquer the currents in our adrenaline-fueled boogie-boarding showdown! Compete against the flow and fellow thrill-seekers in this ultimate river wave bodyboarding challenge. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park. Learn more ...
• FUNCy Down River Kayak Rodeo
  Did someone say RODEO? Also known as playboating or rodeo kayaking, this form of kayaking competition is super entertaining for spectators. Competitors stay in one feature and perform a variety of acrobatic moves and tricks. A panel of judges will score the contestants and determine the winners. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park. Learn more ...
• Mighty UNC Kayak & SUP Cross-Comp
  Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) and kayak cross races combine sport with the adrenaline rush of navigating challenging river rapids and obstacles head-on. Athletes race downriver around buoys in heats, aiming to cross the finish line ahead of their opponents. Whitewater kayak and SUP cross events blend the excitement of river rapids with skill, technique, courage, and luck. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park. Learn more ...
• Western Slope River Surf Comp
  River surfing (on stationary river waves) in Colorado is rapidly gaining popularity. FUNC Fest will host a light-hearted river surfing competition to showcase Colorado’s top-rated river waves in Montrose. Held at the Montrose Water Sports Park in Riverbottom Park. Learn more ...

Competition Registration

Online pre-registration for FUNC Fest competitions is preferred. Day-of-registrations for competitions will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, at the registration booth adjacent to the Montrose Water Sports Park.

Volunteer

Multiply the fun by assisting with the event! We need volunteers to help with on-water competition assistance, wayfinding, timing water safety, competition judges, and more! Please email your Adult Volunteer Waiver or Minor Volunteer Waiver to tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org.

Camping and Accommodations

Looking for a good place to bunk down for FUNC Fest? Limited camping and shuttle service will be available. For more information about on-site camping and to register, view the online camping registration form. Contact Event Manager Thomas Ceniceros at tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org for more information.

Montrose has lots of CAMPING & RV options as well as many HOTEL locations to choose from.

Food Trucks and Vendors

A variety of food, drink, merchandise, and service vendors enhance the event. Interested in becoming a vendor at the event? Complete the Vendor Application & Agreement or contact Event Manager, Thomas Ceniceros at tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Complete the Sponsorship Form and return it to Pavilion and Community Events Coordinator, Thomas Ceniceros at tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org.

Events Schedule

Friday, August 9 at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater

• 5:00 p.m.: Food Truck Village and Beer Garden (provided by Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club) Open (closes at 9:00 p.m.)
• 5:30 p.m.: Bicycle Parade sponsored by the MABA (best viewing at the West Main Trailhead)
• 6:00 p.m.: Opening act begins (Heavy Diamond Ring)
• 7:30 p.m.: Headliner act begins (Desert Child)

Saturday, August 10 at Riverbottom Park

• 8:00 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast at MADA (17 N. 6th Street)
• 9:00 a.m.: Vendor booths open
• 9:00 a.m.: Registration for all events (closes at 2:00 p.m.)
• 10:30 a.m.: Riverbottom Downstream Race (rafts, kayaks, paddleboards, IK’s) (ends at 11:30 a.m.)
• 11:00 a.m.: Kids activities open  (close at 4:00 p.m.)
  • Balloon animals
  • Bouncy house
  • Face painters
  • Montrose Children’s Museum activities
• Noon: Youth Flow Fury Boogie Board Championships (ends at 1:00 p.m.)
• Noon: Food village and beer garden open (closes at 9:00 p.m.)
• Noon: FUNCy Downriver Kayak Rodeo (ends at 1:00 p.m.)
• 12:30 p.m.: Partners West Ducky Race (Purchase entries prior to the first heat at 12:30 for a chance to win cash and prizes)
• 1:30 p.m.: Mighty Unc Kayak and SUP cross competition (ends at 2:30 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m.: Western Slope River Surf Comp PRELIMS (ends at 4:30 p.m.)
• 4:30 p.m.: Western Slope River Surf Comp FINALS (ends at 6:00 p.m.)
• 6:00 p.m.: Opening act begins (DnG Railroad)
• 7:00 p.m.: Intermission - Awards at the FUNC Fest Community Stage
• 7:30 p.m.: Headlining act begins (Cousin Curtiss)
• 8:30 p.m.: Last call for food truck village and alcohol

Event Food Vendors

Friday, August 9 at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater

• Bo-B-Q
• Baan Thai
• DK's Snack Shack
• Armando's Tacos
• Polar Express
• Frosty Freeze
• Zipotes
• Colorado Philly

Saturday, August 10 at Riverbottom Park

• DK's Snack Shack
• Smokey Bonez BBQ
• Polar Express
• Frosty Freeze
• Loncheria Koritas
• Colorado Philly
• Hunger Tech
• Dippin Dots
• Marchio's Grill
• Mammabear's Grub and Grill

About Montrose Water Sports Park

The Water Sports Park (WSP), located on the Uncompahgre River in Riverbottom Park in the heart Montrose’s premier parks complex, consists of 1,000 feet of river channel. The WSP is one of the largest in the state of Colorado and one of the few in the U.S. to be accessible by ADA standards. Designed with all citizens in mind, from ankle waders to expert kayakers, the WSP is complemented by terraced spectator and beach areas, allowing a safe space for viewing right on the river. Sustained irrigation flows on the Uncompahgre River make the park an enticing destination through late summer, long after other parks have lost their luster.

Get More Info!

Visit the Water Sports Park Page

To contact our Pavilion and Community Events Coordinator, Thomas Ceniceros, email tceniceros@cityofmontrose.org or call 970.252.4881! You can also call the Montrose Visitor Center at 970.497.8558 for general information on FUNC Fest.