Loveland, Colo. hosts the largest Valentine Re-mailing Program, the beloved Sweetheart Festival, Group Wedding (on ice) and more each February
(This is how the Loveland Chamber of Commerce today announced their February Valentine season events.)
Loveland, Colorado – In Loveland, Colorado., the nation’s Sweetheart City, Valentine season starts now. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce and partners unveiled details and plans for the 77th annual Valentine season this morning, including the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, Sweetheart Festival, exclusive Valentine wine and coffee, the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race, and the Valentine Group Wedding being held on the ice (NEW) at the Budweiser Event Center prior to the Feb. 14 Sweetheart Game featuring AHL hockey’s Colorado Eagles vs. Bakersfield Condors. The event, including the Valentine-themed game takeover, is part of the Colorado Eagles’ 20th anniversary celebration. All Valentine season activities and events take place during the first two weeks of February.
“We are very excited to be celebrating our 77th year of sending LOVE around the world. These last couple of years have been a challenge with the pandemic, but Valentine season is magical in Loveland and there is no better way to help spread love, joy and hope than through a special Valentine mailed from the Sweetheart City,” said Mindy McCloughan, president of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “Our designs and verses this year reflect Loveland’s desire to spread a little love and kindness. It is even more important to share this time-honored tradition with the world and show that LOVE is the greatest gift we can give or receive.”
Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program
The 2023 official Loveland Valentine card, collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark have been announced. The collector’s stamp and postmark will be stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program. Loveland receives around 100,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world through its Valentine Re-mailing Program, the largest program of its kind. Sponsors and volunteers handstamp the collector’s stamp and postmark onto each individual Valentine that comes through the city’s post office.
2023 collector’s envelope artwork, re-mailing program deadlines announced
The 2023 collector’s envelope artwork was designed by Corry McDowell and includes the following verse written by Amy Huckaby:
Travel by train, by letter or card,
My Love note will find you, wherever you are.
Via Sweetheart City my message departs
And speeds on its journey straight to your heart.
McDowell also crafted the 77th-anniversary postmark.
To get this special 2023 collector’s envelope artwork and postmark, package pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentines in a larger First Class envelope. Send the envelope to Postmaster – Attention Valentines, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538-9998. Once received, Valentines will be removed from the larger envelope and hand-stamped before being re-mailed to intended recipients.
All international-destined mail must be received in Loveland by Feb. 2. All U.S.-destined mail to states outside of Colorado must be received by Feb. 7, and all Colorado-destined mail must be received by Feb. 9 to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day. Northern Colorado residents can drop off their Valentines now through Feb. 9 at the following Loveland locations during normal business hours:
- Our official Valentine drop location sponsors include Independent Financial and Elevations Credit Union. Drop off self-addressed, stamped Valentine envelopes at any of these locations, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Center and the Post Office.
- Participants are encouraged to send their Valentines to Loveland as soon as possible.
2023 Valentine card on sale
The 2023 Valentine card was designed by Corry McDowell. The card design features a row of black and white mailboxes with one box open revealing a red heart. The Valentine card verse written by Sybil Psuik is:
“From the City of Loveland,
Right to your door,
A card full of love, And a little bit more.
To you and your loved ones,
Good wishes and smiles,
From the Sweetheart City,
Across the miles.”
Valentine cards can be purchased online at Loveland.org for $10 (which includes the card, printing, processing and postage) from Jan. 18 through Feb. 9, and for $5 at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Visitors Center, and through many retail outlets in Loveland, including Safeway, Walmart, Rowes, Columbine Drug, and B Sweet Cupcakes, beginning Jan. 5. A complete list of retail outlets is available on the chamber’s website, www.Loveland.org. All cards purchased through Loveland.org will automatically go through the re-mailing program.
Valentine Season Events & Experiences
The Loveland Sweetheart Festival
Feb. 10 -11, 2023
Celebrate all things LOVE in the Sweetheart City at the annual Loveland Sweetheart Festival, returning February 10-11, 2023. During this free celebration in Downtown Loveland, enjoy live music, art installations, local beer, and interactive activities at four venues in the center of town. As you stroll between venues, explore the Valentine Flea Art Market and the community plaza with local performances, food trucks, and kids’ activities, and experience the Arts Alive block featuring interactive raku firing and ice carving demonstrations, or paint a tile for the Loveland community mural. Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Little Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid contests and be sure to catch the Projection Mapping light show on the Historic Feed and Grain Building. Enjoy live music at the Rialto Theater with 14-time Grammy Award winning musician Dan Tyminski, featuring Gavin Largent, on Feb. 11. Stay tuned for an announcement about the Feb. 10 headliner.
Loveland Lights at Chapungu
Feb. 1-14, 2023
Chapungu Sculpture Park in Centerra will be adorned in red and pink lights and sweetheart-themed decor. Similar to Loveland Winter Wonderlights, the lighting displays will be free and open to the public from 5-9 p.m. every evening.
Colorado Eagles Hockey Sweetheart Game
The Colorado Eagles and Visit Loveland are excited to team up for the Sweetheart Game on Tuesday, Feb. 14. For the first time in seven seasons, the Eagles will host a game on Valentine’s Day featuring fun for all at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. Festivities include:
- Enter to win one of 150 “Sweetheart Packs” via Eagles social media beginning the last week in January, including two (2) tickets to the game and a gift bag from Visit Loveland.
- Pregame group wedding on the Ice.
- First 2,000 attendees receive red and pink light-up foam batons provided by the City of Loveland at the entrance of the game.
- Pick up an “I Love ______” sign at the Visit Loveland booth and fill in the blank to show your LOVE.
- Take part in Northern Colorado’s Biggest Valentines Kiss on the Kiss Cam during a stoppage in play.
- Many other special surprises.
- Valentine Group Wedding
Feb. 14, 2023
Loveland’s seventh annual ode to vows of the marriage variety is back and even better for 2023. If you’re in search of a unique wedding experience and a memorable venue, read on.
Lovely Valentine Libations
In partnership with the Colorado Eagles, the AHL Avalanche affiliate hockey team, couples can exchange or renew vows in a group setting on the ice prior to the February 14 Visit Loveland/Colorado Eagles Sweetheart hockey game at Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center. The ceremony includes music you vote on, a customized ceremony, keepsake photos, gift bags, signature wedding cupcakes, a lock couples can use to “lock their love” on Loveland’s famous LOVE or HEART sculptures, plus the chance to win a giant gift basket. The package also includes tickets to the evening’s Eagles game when the home team takes on the Bakersfield Condors. Cost is $140 per couple and registration is limited. Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is hosted by MBD Marketing & Events, in partnership with the Colorado Eagles, Visit Loveland and the Loveland Chamber.
2023 Sweetheart Classic Race
Feb. 11, 2023
The Sweetheart Classic is a staple race in the Loveland community taking place from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Downtown Loveland on 4th Street. While on the four-mile course, participants will enjoy diverse terrain and views, from downtown to River’s Edge Natural Area. Runners can bring a sweetheart and participate together or single runners can be on the lookout for that future running partner.
2023 Loveland Valentine Wine
Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland has produced the Loveland Valentine wine for 2023, a 2019 Merlot from Lodi, Calif. that includes label art entitled “Sensuous” by Sheldon James. A limited release of 180 gallons, or 1,200 bottles, will be available for purchase online and at the winery after Feb. 1.
2023 Loveland Valentine Coffee
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Top of the Lake Coffee to produce the 2023 official Loveland Valentine coffee. The Sweetheart Blend for 2023 is a beautifully roasted Butter Toffee coffee. It will be sold at the Loveland Visitors Center.
