The event provides elk education and bus tours around town to see and hear the elk.

This time of year is the elk’s mating season - a time when the bull elk produce their haunting call known as a bugle.

To catch sight of this in action you need not go inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Saturday, visitors spotted a group just outside of downtown.

The education component of Elk Fest teaches people about the animal and how to safely observe it.

Elk Fest is at Bond Park in downtown Estes Park.

Sunday is the second and last day.

At 1 p.m., the bugle contest gets under way. This is where people get to imitate the elk’s mating call.

Organizers say it’s not uncommon for curious bull elk to venture near the park to get a look at their competition.

Elk Fest starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m.

Food, shops and musical performances are all part of this annual event.