Barbara Lawlor, Central City. Nicki Friedeck, owner of the Nicki Lee Bed and Breakfast in Central City, scrubbed away at many layers of grime on the windowsills of an historic building in Central City last Friday, May 22. The dirty water was squeegeed off, revealing rosy paint, cheerfully bright.

“I’ve been wanting to wash these walls for the past eight years,” said Nicki. “Some of these windows haven’t been washed for 15 years.”

Teams of neon-vested volunteers marched up the streets, carrying long-poled window-washing equipment, putting a shine to the walls of the town, clearing the dust film on the windows. The business owners and residents spent the day polishing the storefronts of the casino/tourist town that attracts thousands of visitors during the summer. It is a good idea to be sparkling clean when they arrive for summer events.

Volunteers with brooms swept the  dirt from the sidewalk into the street so the street cleaners could pick it up. A cadre of trash pickers worked the gulch, the stream flowing from Central City to Black Hawk, hauling debris from the creek and along its banks—trash trapped over the winter.

After almost a month of dismal weather, the skies dried up for a few hours, allowing the volunteers to get the job done. And just in time for the upcoming summer events.

The 2015 Central City Opera season opens July 11 and runs through August 9. Beginning with La Traviata on July 11, followed by Man of La Mancha on July 18, Don Quixote and the Duchess on July 28, and The Prodigal Son on July 29.

Old West Shows and Shootouts by the Central City Wild Bunch will take place on Main Street every Saturday, June 20 thru August 29. from noon to 4 p.m., on the hour.

The Gilpin Arts 69th Annual Juried Exhibition opened May 22nd and runs through August 9th. The opening reception takes place this Saturday, June 6, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

At noon on June 20, the Annual Madam Lou Bunch Day brings the popular old time bed races to Main Street, along with performances, followed by Central City’s Madames and Miners Ball.

Stills in the Hills: Colorado Distillers Tasting, will offer the Best of the West sipping on June 27.

There will be a New Show Opening at the Gilpin Arts Visitor Center Gallery on July 11.

On July 18, the Pit Rally will take place on the Central City Parkway from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

From August 12 to September 27 the Arts Members Show will open; there will be a reception on Saturday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Great Central City Beer Fest on August 22 will bring visitors and beers from all over the Front Range. Also on August 22 is the 27th Annual Cemetery Crawl at the Bald Mountain Cemetery.

The summer is Central City’s time to shine and thanks to community volunteers, the newly washed windows, walls and streets will gleam a welcome to the visitors.