On Sunday evening, August 31, 2025, Grand Lake comes alive with stories. In a special event called “Tombstone Tales”, local storytellers will step into period costume to share real and legendary tales from the town’s past. Held at a charming outdoor venue near the lake, this evening promises an intimate glimpse into the culture and history that shaped this mountain community.
What to Expect at Tombstone Tales
The event begins just as daylight fades and the firelight takes over. Members of the Grand Lake Arts Council perform short scripted pieces and impromptu stories passed down through generations. They speak with the cadence of pioneers, miners, early entrepreneurs, and mountain neighbors who helped Grand Lake grow.
The setting is part of the experience. Wooden benches circle glowing lanterns. A backdrop of darkening mountains completes the scene. As storytellers shift between humor, mystery, and heartfelt recollection, the night feels less like a performance and more like sitting with friends on a porch, listening to voices that built the town.
Expect to hear tales about the lake’s early cabins, mountain rescues, gold rush moments, and quirky characters who left their mark. Some stories make you laugh. Some make you catch your breath. Many will linger in your mind long after the last lantern dims.
Experience Community Culture
This event captures the flavor of Grand Lake better than most. It’s about community voices, woven together in a night designed to remind us why these places matter and why we gather. The idea is not history for history’s sake. It is storytelling that keeps the community alive in every listener.
Visitors often say how moved they are by the warmth and openness of the storytellers. The evening’s charm comes from its authenticity. No big stage or celebrity act. Just people sharing what they know, what they felt, and what they hope you’ll carry forward.
If you love music, you do not need a band. If you seek drama, you do not need a stage. What matters is what is said and how it is held. That is the power of Tombstone Tales.
Make It a Meaningful Summer Evening
This late August evening is magic in Grand Lake. The sun sets early enough for lanterns to matter, but late enough that the mountain glow still hangs in the sky. The air cools just enough to make you appreciate blankets if you brought them. It is the kind of night you remember not because it dazzles, but because it feels right.
Tombstone Tales does not rush. Storytellers pause for effect. The crowd waits respectfully. Laughter or quiet reflection follows. It becomes a shared evening that belongs to everyone in earshot. You walk away feeling more connected to the town and to the people who remain part of it.
Combine Tales with a Tranquil Stay
After a night like this you will want a place to breathe and reflect. The Jabberwocky offers just the right setting. Located a short drive away in Winter Park, it provides a peaceful haven after an event that moves you.
The rooms are quiet and comfortable. Common areas encourage gentle conversation. Porch chairs allow you to hold your thoughts in silence, warmed by a nearby fire or lamp. It is the perfect closure to a night spent hearing stories meant to be held close.
Stay late enough to wake up without rush. Brew coffee on your deck. Drive through morning mist. Remember your evening of storytelling. This is how a weekend becomes part of your life memory.
Reserve Your Evening Experience
Tombstone Tales draws locals, travelers, and families looking for meaning in their mountain trip. If this event calls to you, plan now. Grab your seat among the lanterns and storytellers. Then save your place at The Jabberwocky so the night doesn’t end in the dark or cold.
Book your stay with The Jabberwocky and reserve your spot at an evening of Grand Lake history and heart.
