LA JUNTA
TARANTULA FEST
September 29-30, 2023
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL TARANTULA FEST IN DOWNTOWN LA JUNTA
Enjoy a parade, vendors, education pavilion, tarantula tours and much more!
FEST TOURS
Experience our Tarantula Fest through the eight-eyes of our furry friends on our annual tarantula tour. TOURS ARE FULL.
FEST PARADE
Want to be part of the annual Tarantula Fest parade? Sign up to join the line here!
EXPERIENCE LA JUNTA’S ANNUAL TARANTULA FEST
Photography from © Scene in the Wild Photography
TARANTULA FEST SCHEDULE
Events, locations and times are subject to change.
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
1-3 PM
Dr. Paula Cushing, Spider Expert
Otero College – Wheeler Hall, Learning Commons – 1802 Colorado
3:30 PM
Tarantula Movie
Fox Theatre – 11 East 3rd Street
SATURDAY | SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
9 AM – 4 PM
Merchant Vendor Booths
Otero County Courthouse – 13 W 3rd – Southside
9 AM – 3 PM
Classic Car Show
Otero County Courthouse – 13 W 3rd – Northside
10 AM
Tarantula Parade
Downtown La Junta
11 AM – 3:30 PM
Education Pavilion
Thyme Square, 302 Colorado
9 AM – 5 PM
Food Trucks
Downtown La Junta
11 AM – 8 PM
Tarantula Fest Activities
Downtown La Junta
- Hairy Leg Contest | Sponsored By: County Commissioner Rob Oquist
- 8 legged races | Sponsored By: Edward Jones-Joe Ayala
- Face Painting | Sponsored By: The Picketwire Players
- Tarantula Projects | Sponsored By: LJ Trading & Klein Makerspace
11 AM – 11 PM
Beer Garden
Live Well Park – Third & Santa Fe
2 PM
Koshare Dancers
Koshare Museum – 18th & Colorado
4 PM – 7 PM
Tarantula Fest Bus Tours
Thyme Square, 302 Colorado
5 PM – 8 PM
Chuck Wagon Dinner
Otero Museum – 3rd & Anderson
7 PM – 11 PM
Whiskey Throttle
Live Well Park – Third & Santa Fe
TARANTULA FEST SPONSORS
DISCOVER THE TARANTULA TREK
Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado.
While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it is actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland looking to mate.
For a chance to observe such extraordinary natural behavior and be a part of a truly exceptional adventure, Visit the Tarantula Trek for more information!