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I’m not saying that we’re out of the woods yet but we have more good news from the Vail Valley real estate market. In Eagle County, the number of transactions for the first three months of 2010 rose a whopping 190 percent, to 276, compared with 145 during the same period a year ago.

There were 116 total sales just in April, more than double last year’s figures. For the year so far, sales are double those recorded in 2009.

The dollar volume is also strong. According to the monthly report from Land Title Guarantee Company, sales in April totaled more than $130 million. That’s just 5 percent lower than the volume recorded in 2008, and more than double the sales totals from 2009.

The most expensive sale recorded in April – $6.7 million – came from Solaris in Vail. Two units sold at the Landmark in Vail for $2.4 million each, and there were nine more condo sales at the Westin Riverfront in Avon.

Through the first four months of the year, both transaction numbers and sales volume are right at twice the levels recorded last year.

Between rafting, hiking, biking, golf, tennis, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and a number of special events, there is an endless supply of things to do in Vail in the summer. (Browse the array of warm-weather activities at http://web.vail.net/local/summer.cfm).

June 12 – Vail’s South of the Border Fiesta
This Mexican-themed family fiesta will take place in Lionshead from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check out mouth-watering food from local restaurants, fun with piñatas, lots of kid’s games, and a festive music from a live Mariachi band.

June 13 – Vail Pet Partners Doggie Dash
Registration – 8 a.m.; Walk begins at 9 a.m. Admission: $15 pre-registration, $20 day of event per dog, people are free Benefiting: Vail Pet Partners The Doggy Dash is a 3-mile fun walk for you and your dog. Registration includes a goodie bag, refreshments from Avondale restaurant and one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets are available for wonderful prizes for both dogs and their people. There will be fun contests to participate in or watch, or stroll around Dog Town to discover dog-friendly businesses in the Vail Valley area. Raffle and contests immediately following the walk. Benefiting: Vail Pet Partners (VPP) Dog Therapy program. VPP brings therapy animals to local hospitals, school reading programs, and the local cancer care center. The event’s goal is to raise funds for program expansion and local program awareness.

Every Sunday June 20 – September 19 – Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show
The Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show is the largest farmers’ market in Colorado. There are more than 100 vendor tents weekly along with two live music venues and activities for kids. Vendors in colorful tents sell farm fresh fruits and vegetables while local artists display and explain their finest works. Attend to buy the freshest foods, have lunch, and to browse the many tents and nearby shops and galleries or to simply enjoy all the activities.

June 25 – August 3 – Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival
Celebrating 23 years in the Vail Valley in 2010, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival brings in three venerable ensembles, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. The six-week festival will be punctuated with a truly unique recital featuring Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott, world renowned violinists Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg Gil Shaham & Anne Akiko Meyers, as well as 40 acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians.

June 26-28 – Vail Arts Festival
Over 70 artists from the U.S. will converge on Arrabelle Square in Lionshead for the three-day visual arts festival. An array of artwork will be on display including watercolors, oil and acrylic paintings, woodworking, glass, sculptures, furniture, mosaics, ceramics, metalworks, photography and jewelry. Take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet each exhibiting artist in person. Additionally, enjoy street entertainers and live performances throughout the day, plus great food.