Steamboat Springs — Buoyed by the annual Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup, a Triple Crown Sports tournament and the opening weekend of the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series, visitor numbers are expected to top 8,000 this weekend.

The weekly lodging barometer issued by the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association forecasts 7,900 visitors staying in local hotels and condominiums this weekend. That equates to 57 percent occupancy. However, actual visitor numbers are almost always more than the forecast number, primarily because of walk-in business at area lodging properties.

The corresponding weekend in 2010 also saw a forecast of 7,900 visitors. Actual visitor numbers were 8,600 on the evening of June 19, 2010, according to the Chamber.

Visitors who plan to spend the night in Steamboat on Wednesday drop to 3,000, or 22 percent occupancy. The early forecast for June 25 overnight visitors bumps up to 6,900, or 49 percent occupancy.

On the heels of Ride the Rockies’ three-day stop in town this week, this weekend features a number of marquee Steamboat summer events.

• The 23rd annual Mustang Roundup kicks off Friday with an Autocross in the Meadows Parking Lot at Mount Werner and Pine Grove roads. The highlight for most attendees is Saturday’s Show n’ Shine along Lincoln Avenue. The show starts at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
• The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series kicks off its 10-week run with the first performances of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Brent Romick Rodeo Arena at the base of Howelsen Hill. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children 7 to 15 and free for children 6 and younger. A pre-rodeo barbecue and live music start at 6 p.m.
• Steamboat’s biggest golf tournament, the Ski Town USA Golf Classic and Benefit Auction, is Friday and Saturday. Hosted by Steamboat’s two Rotary clubs, the event features two days of golf at Haymaker Golf Course and Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course and a party and auction from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort. Tickets to the auction, which includes a martini bar and food, are $60 and are available by calling 970-879-5606. All proceeds benefit Routt County United Way and the charities of the Rotary clubs.
• NRC Broadcasting hosts its annual Free Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Gondola Square at Steamboat Ski Area. All activities will be free, including face painting, kids’ bungee jumping, the climbing wall and gondola rides for children.

For more event information online, visit SteamboatToday.com/events or ExploreSteamboat.com.