In our upcoming spring 2023 issue, Colorado Meetings + Events is highlighting the neighboring communities of Loveland and Fort Collins. With the Valentine season approaching, it seems timely to place additional spotlight on how Loveland rolls out the red-heart carpet. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Visit Loveland, and other partners recently unveiled plans for the community’s 77th annual Valentine season, including the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, Sweetheart Festival, Valentine Group Wedding, and more.
A Valentine Thank You
Mail Valentine’s appreciation cards to clients and employees through Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program. A collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark will be stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program. Loveland receives around 100,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world, with sponsors and volunteers handling the volume.
Heartwarming Events
Consider scheduling a Loveland meeting for February and have fun tying into the theme or taking part in local activities that take place the first two weeks of February.
The annual Loveland Sweetheart Festival returns on Feb. 10-11 in downtown Loveland with live music, art installations, local beer, and interactive activities at four venues. Explore the Valentine Flea Art Market; stroll Foundry Community Plaza to enjoy local performances, food trucks, and kids’ activities; experience the Arts Alive block with interactive raku firing and ice carving demonstrations; and paint a tile for the Loveland community mural. There also will be a projection mapping light show on the Historic Feed and Grain Building, the four-mile Sweetheart Classic race along the River’s Edge Natural Area, and live music at the Rialto Theater with the Dan Tyminski Band featuring Gavin Largent.
While we might not recommend scheduling a meeting on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, the Valentine Group Wedding (for exchanging or renewing vows) is being held on the ice at Budweiser Event Center in tandem with the Colorado Eagles vs. Bakersfield Condors hockey game. It is fun way to celebrate the day, just make sure to invite and provide tickets for significant others!
The Valentine-themed game is part of the Colorado Eagles’ 20th anniversary celebration. The first 2,000 game attendees will receive red and pink light-up foam batons, and all who are part of the audience can pick up an “I Love ______” sign at the Visit Loveland booth and fill in the blank with the name of a favorite someone. The Valentine Group Wedding is being hosted by MBD Marketing & Events, in partnership with the Colorado Eagles, Visit Loveland and the Loveland Chamber of Commerce.
From Feb. 1-14, stop by Chapungu Sculpture Park in Centerra to admire the red and pink lights and sweetheart-themed decor from 5-9 p.m. every evening.
Thoughtful Gifts
As a memento, send your group home with a bottle of official Loveland Valentine Wine produced by the local Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center. A limited release of 180 gallons or 1,200 bottles of a 2019 merlot will be available at the winery after Feb. 1. There also is a Loveland Valentine Coffee roasted by Top of the Lake Coffee and that is being sold at the Loveland Visitors Center.
