It’s mid-June, and if you’ve lived in Colorado for any length of time, you know what this means: It’s time for the Renaissance Festival!

Yes, our favorite lads and lasses are back, weekends through August 2nd, to regale us with arts and crafts from Medieval times, not to mention food, beverages, demonstrations and entertainment. Jousting, revelry, probably some bawdiness (Although it has been rated a top family-friendly event, it’s Medieval England, for cryin’ in the night. There has to be bawdiness, right?), and themed weekends (including a Prince, Princess, and Pirate weekend. Woo hoo!).

For this opening weekend only, you can get a “BOGO” coupon at Wendy’s. For the rest of the summer, discount coupons are available at King Soopers and Wendy’s. Otherwise, adult tickets are $17.95, kids 5 – 12 are $8.00, and those wee ones under 5 are free. Ye olde Renaissance Festival is located in Larkspur at 650 West Perry Park Avenue. Check the website for complete details, driving directions, and such.

If you’re not in the mood for that, however, there are several happenings in Denver, including National Get Outdoors Day at City Park, movies and concerts galore, and a quaint little Rhubarb Festival up in Pine Grove, Colorado (that’s off of Hwy 285 between Conifer and Bailey). Don’t forget Sunday is Flag Day!

Free Days

Monday, June 15: Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe, Littleton. Hudson Gardens celebrates their 13th anniversary with a free day and a performance by the Hannah Kahn Dance Company.

Summer Concerts

I wasn’t kidding when I said there would be one every day. I’ve quit listing them individually, and now they’re listed by day. Thursday seems to be especially popular.

Friday, June 12

Noon – 1:30 pm: Noon Tunes, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. Downtown Boulder kicks off its Friday lunch time concert series with the 17th Avenue All Stars. This series runs every Friday through August 14. Take along lunch and enjoy this acapella performance. Something that always amazes me, considering I can’t even whistle in key, let alone sing.

Saturday, June 13

Lone Tree Summer Concert Series, Sweetwater Park, west of Yosemite off of Maximus. Lone Tree brings it, with That Eighties Band at 6:00, followed by Fab Four at 7:00. Who says the ‘burbs are boring? Also available are concessions, caricature artists, buskers, and Passport to Culture activities for the kiddos.

Sunday, June 14

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: City Park Jazz, at the Bandstand at City Park Pavilion. This popular series runs Sundays through August 9. Park either at the Zoo or the Museum for free, then take the shuttle to the bandstand. Free bike parking is also available. This is a great opportunity for a Sunday evening picnic, but if you’re not in the mood (or you’re not that organized), there is always food available, as well. This week’s band is Teresa Carroll and the Big Swing Trio.

6:30 pm: Summer Concerts in the Park, Memorial Park at 25th and Chase, Edgewater. 303-238-7803 x28. This series runs through July 6. This week: Felonius Smith.

Wednesday, June 17

6:30 pm: (doors open at 6:00 pm) Swallow Hill’s Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 Forest Street, Denver. This week: Moira Smiley and VOCO w/ Scott Von. Tickets are $10/adults, $2 kids 12 and under.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Littleton Historic Museum Concert Series, 303-795-3950, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. This week: Ransoli and Camacho.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Bands on the Bricks, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. This one runs through August 12—catch a different band every Wednesday night. This week it’s Soul Sacrifice.

Thursday, June 18

6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). Bring your dancing shoes, because Englewood gets their series started with the big band sounds of the Dean Bushnell Orchestra.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm:Highlands Ranch Summer Concert Series.Thursdays, through July (except July 2), at Highland Heritage Park, 9651 South Quebec, Highlands Ranch. This week’s performer is Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Banks in Harmony Summer Concert Series, Bicentennial Park, 13655 E. Alameda Avenue, Aurora. Deja Blu gets this series started, which runs Thursdays through August 6 at various parks in Aurora. Concessions are available, or bring your own!

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, at the corner of Bowles and Pierce in Littleton. Shake Johnson entertains with some blues, some rock, some rockin’ out. . .

7:00 pm: City of Thornton’s Summer Concert Series. Runs Thursdays in June, and then again from July 9 – August 6. This week, enjoy an ice cream social in the park, followed by Tiny Barge and the Big Thrill, at Redwood Estates, 9500 Pecos.

Summer Movie Programs

Saturday, June 13, 3:00 pm. Kids Saturday Nickelodeon at the Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver This week’s feature is Stuart Little—Going for the Gold. Free.

Saturday, June 13, dusk: Babe, Movies in the Parks, Skyline Park, 1775 Arapahoe. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase. This series runs through the summer at various parks throughout Denver; check the website for more details. Last week I inadvertently listed this movie, but it’s actually playing this weekend. My deepest apologies if you headed out to Skyline Park last week, hoping to hear “That’ll do, Pig.”

Tuesday, June 16, 10:00 am Summer Movie Clubhouse at the Century 16 in BelMar, 440 S. Teller Street, Lakewood. Tuesdays through August 4, the Century 16 in BelMar offers a different PG or G rated movie for the kids. Buy a 10-pack for all 10 movies for $5, or pay as you go for a buck a show. This week’s movie is Space Chimps.

Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17, 10:00 am Regal Free Family Film Festival, West Village Stadium, 14225 West Colfax; Greenwood Plaza 12, 8151 E Arapahoe Road; Park Meadows 12, 9355 Park Meadows Drive; Continental 10, 3635 S Monaco Pkwy. Free movies for the family; movies vary by location, so check the website for complete listings.

Harkins Kid Summer Movie Program, Northfield Theater, 8300 E 49th Avenue. This movie program runs through August 1st; buy a 10-pack movie pass for $5.00, or individual movie tickets for $2.00. Adults must be accompanied by a child. Check the website for complete details and movie listings specific to this program.

Friday, June 19, dusk: Princess Bride, Movies in the Parks. This week’s screening is at Cheesman Park.. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase.

Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do

Friday, June 12, 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Highlands Ranch Carnival, Mountain Vista High School West Parking Lot, 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch. Head down to the Ranch for the last weekend of their carnival. Discount tickets available at any Highlands Ranch Recreation Center for $20, or pay $25 at the carnival. Single ride tickets available for kids.

Saturday – Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday through July 5: Family Summer Camp at Bass Pro Shops, 7970 Northfield Blvd, Denver. Head over to the Bass Pro Shop and partake in one of several different fun, camping/outdoor-oriented crafts and activities. Check the website for complete details and times.

Saturday, June 13, 7:30 am: Rhubarb Festival in Pine Grove, Colorado. I know it sounds crazy, but if you Google Rhubarb Festival, you’ll be amazed at how many of these there are in North America (and I’m including Canada). With the rain we’ve had, rhubarb is quite abundant, and apparently it’s one of the few things you can successfully grow in the mountains. Pancake breakfast starts at 7:30 am, and lasts until they run out of rhubarb sauce. There’s a bake-off, a parade at 12:30, and the whole thing is capped of by a Rubber Ducky race. Of course no festival is complete without arts and crafts booths, live music playing into the afternoon, and a silent auction (One year, we got a sweet deal on a 2-night stay in an adorable cottage in Pine Grove.). Part of the proceeds benefit the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department. You know—those good people who keep the forest from burning to a crisp. Finish the afternoon with a bite at the Buck Snort Saloon. Seriously, if you’ve never been, ask any local for directions. The place has been around forever, and is usually pretty family-friendly until about 5:00. Then it gets crazy. To get to Pine Grove, head south on Hwy 285, take a left at Pine Junction onto Hwy 126, and drive down a about 6 miles to Pine Grove.

Saturday, June 13, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm: National Get Outdoors Day, City Park Pavilion, 2001 Steele Street, Denver. Head down to City Park and learn all about the great outdoors. There’s rock climbing, fishing, camping, and yes, even skiing. Sponsored by our fabulous Forest Service, this event allows you the opportunity to foster an interest in all things naturific, and you may even win a prize (like ski passes, camping equipment. . .). Food and music, too.

Saturday, June 13, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm: Family Fire Muster, Red Rocks Community College – Lakewood Campus, 13300 West 6th Avenue (between Simms and Indiana), Lakewood. This event, for preschoolers and older kids, teaches fire safety, bike safety, and first aid. Give the kids a chance to check out the firetrucks, or try on firefighting gear.

Saturday, June 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am: Stories in the Park, West Side of City Park, behind the Graham-Bible House, at 21st and York. This series runs Saturdays through June 27th, and features special guests reading stories to kids. Best for ages 3 – 7. Lemonade served after.

Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant Street. Support your local artists when you visit this great market. Art, music, food, and a special booth for kids.

Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm: Taste of Puerto Rico Festival, Central Park in Stapleton, 8765 Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver. The main event is on Sunday, so go enjoy the food, music, and culture of Puerto Rico.

Sunday, June 14, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Fiesta Aurora, Fletcher Plaza, 9898 East Colfax Avenue in Aurora. Celebrate the art and culture of Aurora’s Latino community.

Sunday, June 14, 3:00 pm: Flag Day Ceremony at the Gilpin County Courthouse, Central City. If you’re headed up to the mountains this weekend, stop by the Gilpin County Courthouse on your way back down, as Gilpin County unveils a newly restored 38-star flag in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s Gold Rush.

Sundays in June, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Firehouse Kitchen at the Denver Firefighters Museum, 1325 Tremont Place, Denver. This program is designed to teach kitchen safety, but you get to enjoy firehouse treats at the same time. We all know what great chefs those firefighters are! Take your favorite fire engine fanatic for a little afternoon getaway. $5 per class, or $15 for the 4 week session. Another session runs in July.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, now through August 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Tebo Train Rides on the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. Let your little ones (10 and younger, please) hop on the train and get a little tour of the Pearl Street Mall—two whole blocks of it. Adults can ride with their child. Catch the train at the Wells Fargo Bank in the 1200 block of the Pearl Street Mall.

Thursday, June 18, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Third Thursday on 32nd, Highlands Square (32nd and Lowell), Denver. Stroll along 32nd, enjoy samples, live music, do a little shopping. . .a great way to spend the evening in an absolutely fabulous neighborhood.

New Museum Exhibits and Such

Wild Ocean, Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. Opening today, this new IMAX show takes place on the coast of South Africa, as a jillion different kinds of aquatic life migrate up the KwaZulu-Natal Coast. As with all IMAX shows, separate ticket prices apply.

Through September 7: Junior Jobsite at the Children’s Museum, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver. A construction site just for the little ones, complete with scaled-down hard hats and construction tools and materials. Let the little ones explore and learn about electricity, plumbing, and all the other intricacies that allow us to live in comfort. Regular hours and admission fees apply.

Globeology at the Wildlife Experience, 10035 South Peoria Street, Parker. 720-488-3300. This new exhibit is really cool. It definitely takes dioramas to the next level. Interactive, computerized, animatronics. . . need I say more? My kids (those who can form complete sentences, anyway) kept saying “Mom, look at this! Mom, look!” all the way through the entire 25,000 square feet of educational extravagance. Regular hours and admission fees apply.

Theater and Music

Through September 5: Annie at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. The Broadway musical you love. . . with dinner! Special matinees added for families, so you can bring the little ones and you can all leave singing “It’s a hard knock life. . .” Check the website for show times and ticket prices.

Through June 28: Mouse Tales at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. 303-458-6446

Show Times: Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 pm Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Tickets are $6.00. Group discounts and discounted ticket packs available.

Shows at the Denver Puppet Theater are appropriate for children ages 3 and older.

*Please note: Times change during the summer months. Check before you go!

The Denver Puppet Theater is a funky little hidden gem in North Denver. Puppets truly are art, and take on a life of their own (but not in a creepy, Poltergeisty way). Definitely worth a visit.

Thursday, June 18 (and every Thursday night during the summer) Music on the Streets in Old Town Arvada, Old Wadsworth and Grandview Avenue. Stroll through Old Town Arvada as live music plays. A lovely way to spend a warm spring evening.

Farmers’ (and other)

Markets

Saturday, June 13, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm: Ballpark Market, Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd. This European-style flea market runs the second Saturday of the month through October. Cool vintage stuff, collectibles, and other unique items abound.

The Farmers’ Markets have been rearranged by region, to improve your shopping experience. Additional markets are opening constantly!

Central:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com

Sunday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Stapleton, 29th and Roslyn, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market, 1500 Block of South Pearl Street, Denver. This market makes its debut this weekend. Check it out!

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. City Park Esplanade Fresh Market, East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Tuesday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Denver Civic Center Outdoor Market and Café, Colfax and Broadway, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

Wednesday, 9:00 am – 1:00. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.

South:

Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market, Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch. www.denverfarmersmarket.com

North:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Northfield Stapelton, Northfield Stapleton Shopping Center, I-70 and Quebec. www.laughingdogfarms.net

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Boulder Farmer’s Market, Downtown Boulder on 13th Street between Canyon and Arapahoe 303-910-2236.

Sunday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Orchards Farmers’ Market, 144th Avenue and I-25. www.laughingdogfarms.net

Northwest:

Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 4260 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.

Southwest:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Metro Denver Farmers’ Market, Southwest Plaza SE Parking Lot, Wadsworth and Bowles, Littleton. www.denverfarmersmarket.com

Wednesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton.www.denverfarmersmarket.com

Southeast:

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Lone Tree, Yosemite and Maximus. www.laughingdogfarms.net.

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net. This market opens this weekend, and will then be open Saturdays, 9:00 – 1:00 and Thursdays, 10:00 – 1:00.

Sunday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Parker Farmer’s Market, Northwest corner of Parker and Main Street, in the Crossroads Shopping Center. www.laughingdogfarms.net. Runs through October.

Thursday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net.

To be considered for inclusion in our weekly event picks, be sure to email Jennifer at

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