Weekly Event Round-up: Giant Pumpkins, the Circus and Butterflies!
My husband is obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin and this weekend is the culmination of every pumpkin grower’s dream!
Children of all ages will be amazed to witness the 4th Annual Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers Pumpkin Weigh-off on Saturday, September 26. Last year, more than 2,000 people attended this event that features record-setting 1,100+ pound pumpkins measuring more than 12 feet in circumference.
The event will take place at Jared’s Nursery in Littleton (10500 W. Bowles Avenue) starting at 10 a.m. with the junior division, followed by the giant pumpkins at 11 a.m. Admission for the weigh-off is free. Go to http://coloradopumpkins.com for additional information.
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Every Friday, we will publish Denver Post writer Kathleen St. John’s top recommendations for family fun. This week, her picks include:
Wednesday. See the latest take on “The Greatest Show on Earth” when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey bring “Zing Zang Zoom” to the Denver Coliseum. A celebration of circus magic, the show features “Zingmaster” Alex and his lovely assistant Levitytia as guides through the fantasyland. Along the way, the two have to avoid the clutches of Mr. Gravity and the Heavies — but as long as they’ve got their band of illusionists, acrobats and animals, everyone floats on just fine. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Remaining showtimes vary by day through Oct. 11. Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St.; 720-865-2475. Tickets to Wednesday’s opening night performance are $13, tickets for remaining shows are $15-$82. Ticket prices include an “All-Access Pre-show 1 hour before showtime. Buy tickets at ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Everyday. Flutter up to the Butterfly Pavilion to check out their latest exhibit, “Tropical Odyssey.” The “Odyssey” is an in-depth look at how the Pavilion raises its exotic butterflies, as well as a lesson for all ages about conservation. Through interactive displays, learn about the life cycle of the butterfly and the practice of butterfly farming. At the same time, see how the rainforest habitat of some of the world’s most beautiful butterflies is threatened, and what’s being done to help. Pavilion hours are 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily. The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster; 303-469-5441. Admission is $7.95 for adults, $5.95 for seniors age 65 and older, $4.95 for children ages 2 to 12.
Saturday. Take a trip through Europe — without the huge backpack and jet lag — at the second annual Colorado European Festival in Highlands Ranch. Sample cuisines from all over the continent and relax by the stage for a full day of entertainment — from Polish dancers to Celtic music to Serbian pop. A marketplace of European vendors will be on the grounds, too, should the shopping bug bite. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Civic Green Park, near the Highlands Ranch Library at 9292 Ridgeline Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, call 720-663-7275 or visit eurofestival.org.
Saturday-Sunday. Come nose-to-nose with some of the planet’s most misunderstood mammals at “Bat Encounter: Live!” Showing at both the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Botanic Gardens, the demonstration is hosted by Rob Mies, director of the Organization for Bat Conservation. Mies will discuss and display rare bats — yes, real, live ones — including the endangered golden bat and the gigantic Malayan flying fox. 3 p.m. Saturday. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.; 303-322-7009. Additional lecture at 6 p.m. Sunday, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St.; 720-865-3500. For both events, admission is $12 for museum and Gardens members, $15 for nonmembers, $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Register early for the Gardens event at botanicgardens.org.
Tonight-Sunday. Save money on ski season — and help support youth ski-and-ride group Team Summit — at the Swap the Summit Mountain Expo. New and used equipment for all ages will be on sale, so bring everyone along to sniff out deals. When you’re not shopping, watch big-air demonstrations and visit booths from winter sports and vacation exhibitors. If you have old ski and snowboard stuff to sell, consignment check-in is today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expo times: 5-9 p.m. tonight, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St.; 303-297-1166. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. Kids age 12 and younger are free. Visit teamsummit.org for more information.
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