Item 1 on the agenda: Planning ahead for next weekend. You may have read guest-blogger Heather’s post this week here on Mile High Mamas. You can read more about Heather and Sam here. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

Are you back? Great! Now, go here. Donate, cheer Heather on, do whatever you can do. Riding 157 miles is a major accomplishment; parenting a child with a chronic condition is a feat in and of itself. Doing both? That deserves rock star status. Help Sam and other kids like her, along with their parents and families. Money, prayers, well wishes and good vibes. I don’t think anybody will say “No” to any of it.

Also, next weekend is the Dragon Boat Festival at Sloans Lake. This world class event celebrates the Asian Pacific American heritage (remember that lei-making extravaganza at the Governor’s Mansion a while back?), and they’re including lots of activities for the kids this year.

As for this weekend, well, there’s plenty to do, even after you’ve seen Harry Potter. Aurora is holding its KidSpree, a festival dedicated to activities and entertainment for the kids. Summer concerts abound (although the season is starting to wind down. . . ), and the fresh produce at the farmers’ markets is just about perfect. In short, it’s July in Colorado, and things couldn’t be better! Enjoy your week, check before you go, and have a great week!

Free Days

Monday, July 20: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver. 720-864-3500. Enjoy a rare free day at the beautiful Botanic Gardens. The Jurassic Gardens exhibit ends at the end of September, so time to think about heading over if you want to see it.

Summer Concerts

Friday, July 17
Noon – 1:30 pm: Noon Tunes, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. This series runs through August 14. Leave it to Boulder to plan a party for lunch time. This week, head out and enjoy Rhythm Angels.

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Northfield Stapleton Summer Concert Series, Main Street at Northfield Stapleton, 49th and Quebec. Catch the Northfield Stapleton Summer Concert Series on first and third Fridays, June through August. This week: Nacho Men.

Saturday, July 18
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Concert Series at Founders Green, Stapleton. Soul School performs at Founders Green, 29th and Roslyn, in Stapleton.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park (South Pierce and West Bowles), Littleton. The Denver Municipal Band Wind Festival performs with special guests and a civil war cannon.

Sunday, July 19
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 for free at the Zoo or the Museum, then take the shuttle to the bandstand. Free bike parking is also available. This week’s band is the Wendy Fopeano Group.

Tuesday, July 21
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Concerts at the Crescent, Crescent Ampitheater, DTC Boulevard and Belleview (just east of Yia Yia’s Euro Café) in the Denver Tech Center. This new addition to our list features fun concerts in a nice little area down south. Bring your own food, but leave Fido at home. This week’s band: Runnin’ Wild. They’re young, but they can rock.

Wednesday, July 22
6:30 pm: Northglenn Summer Concert Series, E.B. Rains, Jr. Memorial Park, 11701 Community Center Drive (across from City Hall), Northglenn. Northglenn’s World Beat series runs through July 29. In case of inclement weather, head across the street to the D.L. Parsons theater for the performance. This week, it’s Judge Roughneck.

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: Stray Dog and Colin O’Brien. Tickets are $10/adults, $2 kids 12 and under.

7:00 pm: Lakewood Summer Concert Series, 801 South Yarrow Street in the Lakewood Heritage Center, Lakewood. Tickets for most of these shows are $6.00 the day of the show (a little less if purchased in advance), or buy a season ticket package for $37.80 for all six shows. Food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your own chairs or blanket. This week, it’s Chris Daniels and the Kings .

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

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 The Home Slice Band.

Thursday, July 23
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. Deja Blu performs this week.

6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). This week, get a little bit country with the Cory Brunson Band.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Banks in Harmony Summer Concert Series, Del Mar Park, 12000 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora. Runs through August 6th, and concessions are available. This week, it’s the big band favorite The Hot Tomatoes.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Confluence Concerts, Confluence Park, 15th and Little Raven, LoDo (across the river from REI). Parking is available at the Downtown Aquarium for $6.00. This series runs Thursday evenings, but only in July, so catch it while it’s hot. This week: Dotsero.

7:00 pm: The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Cheesman Park, Denver. The CSO performs classical masterpieces for free in the congenial setting of Cheesman Park.

7:00 pm: City of Thornton’s Summer Concert Series. Runs Thursdays through August 6. This week, enjoy AOA at Woodglen/Berkshire Park, 11700 Clayton Street.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Westminster Summer Concert Series, Westminster City Park, 105th Ave. and Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster. Wendy Woo and her fabulous band. Series runs through August 6.

Summer Movie Programs

Friday, July 17, 6:30 pm: Grease, Centennial Night at the Movies, deKoevend Park, 6301 South University. Sing along with Danny, Sandy, and the gang.

Friday, July 17, dusk: Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, Movies in the Parks. This one is showing at Fred Thomas Park, 2500 Quebec. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase.

Saturday, July 18, dusk: The Iron Giant, Movies in the Parks. Head down to Skyline Park, 1775 Arapahoe, for this amazing movie. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase. If you haven’t seen this movie, you absolutely must! I’m no Roger Ebert, but it’s fantastic.

Tuesday, July 21, 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. 10-packs for all 10 movies are available at the beginning of the season for $5, but now it’s pay as you go for a buck a show. This week’s movie is The Water Horse.

Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23, 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.

Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23, 10:00 am: Kerasotes Free Summer Movie Program, Old Town 14 in Arvada, Chinese 16 at Arapahoe Crossing in Aurora, Southlands 16 in Aurora, Castle Rock 12, Cherry Creek 8, Bowles Crossing 12 in Littleton, and 20 Mile Village 10 in Parker. Doors open at 9:00 am, and seating is on a first come-first serve basis. Series runs through August 6. This week’s film: The Tale of Despereaux.

Monday – Friday, 9:45 am: Harkins Kid Summer Movie Program, Northfield Theater, 8300 E 49th Avenue. This movie program runs through August 1st; movies cost $2.00. Adults must be accompanied by a child. Check the website for complete details and movie listings specific to this program.

Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do

Friday, July 17: 12:00 p.m to 2:00 p.m. at The Denver Marriott Tech Center (4900 S. Syracuse Street, Denver, CO 80237) The Discovery Toys National Convention and Toy Fair is opening its doors to the public! Discover a great income opportunity and see the latest innovative educational toys.

Friday, July 17, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Louisville Downtown Street Faire, Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street, downtown Louisville. Live music begins around 6:00. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this little gem, but given that Louisville was just named the best place to live by Money magazine, it seems we should give the Street Faire its due. Food and drinks, vendors, artisans, and stuff for the kids, in addition to the aforementioned live music. . . this is one snappy little to-do. And it happens every Friday through August 14, so you’ve still got a few chances to catch it.

Thursday, July 16 – Saturday, July 18: Queen City Horse Show, National Western Complex, I-70 and York. See world class American Saddlebred show horses competing. Shows are at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Perfect for that ‘tween horse lover in your life.

Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 19, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: KidSpree, Bicentennial Park, 13655 E. Alameda Avenue, (at the corner of Alameda Avenue and Potomac Street, just west of I-225). 60—yes, 60!—hands-on activities and entertainment just for kids. Food and beverages available for purchase; park at the Aurora Mall and take the free shuttle over to the park.

Saturday, July 18, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, and Sunday, July 19, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Boulder Art Fair, on the Pearl Street Mall between 10th and 15th Streets, Boulder. In addition to the art market, enjoy live music and kids’ activities.

Saturday, July 19, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sunday, July 19, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days, Argo Park, 47th and Logan Street, Denver. We here at the Mile High Mamas are nothing if not eclectic. Head to Argo Park for food and beverages from places you don’t normally get to: Russia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Greece, and, umm . . Mexico. Live music, dance, food, crafts, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to tour an historical Orthodox church.

Wednesday, July 22 – Sunday, July 26: Buffalo Bill Days, various locations throughout Golden; check the website for details. Golden kicks off Buffalo Bill days, with. . . a golf tournament. Makes total sense. But if that’s not your thing, you can start the festivities on Friday at 5:00 at Parfet Park (10th and Washington) with live music, activities for the kids, and plenty of fun. The weekend activities include a parade, a wild west show, mutton bustin’, a car show (which I’m pretty sure were invented after Buffalo Bill’s time), and all sorts of other fun activities. A great excuse to get out to Golden, which really is a great little town. Move over, Louisville.

Wednesdays in July (beginning July 1), 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.

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.

Theater and Music

Tuesday, July 21, 7:00 pm: “a href=“http://www.englewoodgov.org”>KidStage Family Night, CityCenter Englewood Amphitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the Light Rail Station Bridge, next to the Civic Center), Englewood. Tuesday nights in July, Englewood offers special programming just for kids and their families. This week, roast marshmallows around the fire and listen to music and stories with the Liz Masterson Country Sing-A-Long. And you thought camping was for the weekends. Silly!

July 1 – August 15: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, 914 Broadway (on the University of Boulder Campus), Boulder. Get a little culture this summer with one of the best Shakespeare Festivals around. Performances of the great works of the Bard (along with one or two others) run at various times. Check the website for specifics.

Through August 22: Cinderella, Mexican Style at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. 303-458-6446. A charming little twist on a popular tale. Check out the Denver Puppet Theater this summer; tickets are inexpensive ($6.00!), and shows are appropriate for children 3 years and older.

Thursday, July 23 (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.

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.

Farmers’ (and other) Markets

Saturday, July 18: Catch the community-wide garage sale in the Stapleton neighborhood. Bargains galore!

The Farmers’ Markets have been rearranged by region, to improve your shopping experience.

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.

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

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.

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

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

South:

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

Monday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Tamarac Square, Tamarac and Hampden, Denver.

North:

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

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.

Northwest:

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

Southwest:

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

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

East:
Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aurora Farmers’ Market, 333 N. Havana, in the Maya Sports Bar and Grill parking lot.

Southeast:

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

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. 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. Runs through October.

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

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

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