Loveland, Colorado Launches 71st Valentine Re-Mailing Program and Unveils Plans for Valentine’s Day Festivities

In Loveland, Colo., the nation’s Sweetheart City, Valentine’s Day is more than a day – it is a two-week celebration of Everything You Love. Today, the chamber of commerce launched the Valentine Re-Mailing Program and Visit Loveland unveiled plans for its 2017 Valentines season festivities.

Loveland earned the Sweetheart City destination through the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, the largest of its kind, which launched in 1947 and is continued today by the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. Today, people can send their valentines to Loveland through the Re-Mailing Program, purchase an official Loveland valentine card, visit the city for the exclusive valentine beer or coffee, join the largest Valentine’s Day festival in the nation, or new this year, get married or renew their vows at the Valentine’s Day group wedding. Here are all the ways individuals, couples and families can participate.

Send Valentines Through the Loveland Valentine Re-Mailing Program

Since 1947, the chamber, the Loveland post office and 60 volunteer stampers have been bringing love, hope and sentiments to people in all 50 states and more than 110 countries with a special cachet stamp and message through the program. Valentines get mailed each year from mothers to sons, grandfathers to granddaughters and everyone in between.

The 2017 cachet, unveiled today, was designed by Corry McDowell and the cachet verse was written by Richard Schilling. This cachet will adorn all 160,000 valentines that come through Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program and will read: 

From the Sweetheart City in a land of love,

Warm Thoughts of you are sent above.

On Wings they fly from land to sea,

Searching and finding the one to be.

Share your love this Valentine’s Day by sending your valentines through Loveland. Send your pre-addressed, pre-stamped valentine in an enclosed, larger 1st Class envelope. Then send all envelopes to:

Postmaster - Attention Valentines

446 E. 29th St.

Loveland, CO 80538-9998

Once received, valentines will be removed from the larger envelope, stamped with the special Loveland cachet stamp and postmark then re-mailed to its intended recipient. All foreign mail must be received in Loveland by Feb. 4, all U.S. mail must be received by Feb. 7, and all Colorado mail must be received by Feb. 9 to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day. King Soopers/City Market has been the proud exclusive grocery sponsor of the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, helping Colorado residents more easily get their valentines to Loveland. Colorado residents have until Feb. 1 to drop off valentines at any local King Soopers or City Market location within the state.  The Valentine Re-Mailing Program begins Feb. 1 with the first stamping at 9 a.m. at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, 5400 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland, Colo. 80538.

2017 Loveland Valentine Card on Sale

The Loveland Chamber of Commerce also produces an annual Valentine’s Day card from the works of local artists. The 2017 card was designed by Corry McDowell and depicts the beautiful hearts that adorn lamp posts throughout Loveland and near scenic Lake Loveland and Dan Cupid. The valentine verse was written by James Duckworth.

From the City of Loveland, Colorado

Where Cupid’s arrow start

To bring a lovely message directly to your heart.

Blending love, joy and happiness

In this little card we send

May your Valentine’s Day be perfect

From the beginning to the end

Valentine cards can be purchased online at www.loveland.org for $4.50 and at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Visitors Center and other local retailers such as King Soopers, Safeway, Wal-Mart and Walgreens for $3.50. For a more complete list of retailers, please visit loveland.org/ValentineProgram/ or call (970) 667-6311.

1^st Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding

Loveland's 1st annual Valentine's Day Group Wedding will be a memorable experience for all. Held in the beautiful Foote Lagoon Amphitheater and lit be candlelight, this is an opportunity for romantics to renew vows or get hitched right in the Sweetheart City. Branden Sipes, a local singer/songwriter, will be playing classic romantic songs before and after the ceremony and all couples will have their certificate signed by an officiant. A photo booth will be available at the lagoon for photos. In the end, all couples will receive signature Loveland Wedding cupcakes, a gift bag for participating and the chance to be entered to win a larger gift package. The event is produced by My Big Date.  

The Loveland Fire and Ice Festival

Fire and ice collide at the nation’s largest Valentine’s Day Festival in Loveland. From Feb. 10 – 12, attendees can celebrate the passion of the season where fire, ice, entertainment and fun collide. This free family-friendly event transforms downtown Loveland with Valentine-themed lights, stunning ice sculptures, live entertainment, spectacular firework shows all three nights, kids zone, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. New in 2017, the Loveland Fire & Ice Festival is launching Craft Brews and Distilling Arts complete with an ice bar. Local craft breweries and distilleries will gather for a weekend of ice cold brews and crafty cocktails. Experience Loveland’s thriving craft beer with Grimm Brothers Brewing, Loveland Aleworks, Crow Hop, Big Beaver Brewing and more to get a taste of flavorful seasonals and local favorites. In addition, the festival will feature fireworks all three nights and will launch a mobile app, complete with in-app games, maps and more.

Bleeding Heart – Official 2017 Loveland Valentine Beer from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse

Exclusively available in Loveland for Valentine’s Day, the Bleeding Heart, a delicious chocolate cherry brown, from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse is a one-of-a-kind love potion. Each year Grimm Brothers brews and taps a new Valentine’s Day beer the first day of February, making Loveland a great Valentine’s Day excursion for any beer lover. Get it while it lasts on tap in participating Loveland restaurants and bars, and in cans at participating Loveland liquor stores. Experience the romance and excitement of the holiday as you sip on a local crafted brew made with love.

Valentine Beer & Spirit Tours

NoCo Short Bus will be offering a Loveland beer tour and a Loveland Spirits only tour on Feb. 11 & 12. A special combination Big Leap tour on Valentine's Day will provide a special combination of a cocktail and distillery tour and a beer and chocolate pairing. The tours are perfect for visitors and locals, showcasing Loveland's beer and spirit scene. At only $55 per person, the tours are a reasonable addition to any Valentine's Day plans. The pick-up and drop-off location will be downtown at Lincoln Ave. and 3rd Street. Schedules, details and booking availability will be at www.NoCoShortBusTours.com

For Coffee Lovers - Valentine’s Day Coffee Roast

This Valentine’s Day, Loveland is bringing together the magic of the season with our special seasonal coffee blend for 2017, a Spiced Almond Toffee Coffee, also sold exclusively in Loveland. Brewsworthy Coffee, a local Loveland coffee company, produces this unique roast. 2017 retailers are LoCo Artisan Coffee House, B Sweet Cupcakes and the Loveland Visitors Center.

Stay in the Sweetheart City

• Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch Sweetheart Get Away – Surprise your Sweetheart with a romantic getaway for only $348. Relax and enjoy a two-night stay in your cozy cabin. A fruit, cheese and sausage tray with a bottle of wine awaits your arrival. Spend a relaxing first evening by a warm fire and delight in your complimentary s’mores basket. Awaken to a chef prepared breakfast. Explore the outdoors and view the Big Horn Sheep. Challenge each other to a game of pool or ping pong in our game room.  Settle in for a movie and popcorn. The second evening, savor a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine. Breakfast the next morning will complete this “Sweetheart” experience. Add in a trail ride or other ranch amenities for an additional fee.
• Stonebridge Valentine Packages - Stay in any of Stonebridge's Loveland properties, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites or Hampton Inn by Hilton during the first two weeks of February and get 10 percent off the room rate plus a $50 gift card to Bent Fork Grill at the Promenade Shops at Centerra.