Labor Day Weekend means two things: The end of summer (let’s have a moment of silence), and the Taste of Colorado at Civic Center Park. It’s definitely the biggest thing going this weekend. Live music, great food, and a special area for the kids, with a stage and plenty of hands-on activities. The KidzStage is jam-packed all four days of the festival. Look for Irish step dancers, juggling demonstrations, stilt-walking, music, magicians. . . the list goes on and on. Admission is free, but all that yummy food does cost. Fortunately, it doesn’t cost all that much, and you’re sure to get a great sampling of the many delicacies our fair state has to offer. It’s a great way for any picky eaters you may know to try new food, too. Check out the website for a complete list of bands, restaurants, and vendors, as well as how to get there. A Taste of Colorado runs Friday, 11:30 am – 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, and Monday, 10:30 am – 8:00 pm.

If you’re heading to the mountains, Breckenridge offers an Arts and Crafts show, sidewalk sales, and a Rubber Ducky race. Not to be outdone, Copper Mountain is having a musical extravaganza, with the likes of Little Feat, America, Michael Martin Murphey, and Shelby Lynne, as well as arts and crafts, mechnical bull riding, and a kids corral. Oh, and a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning. Vail has a jazz fest going on, as well as it’s own little “Taste of Vail” festival. Admission to Gourmet on Gore is free, and food tickets are affordably priced. By Vail standards, I suppose.

Planning Ahead

September 12:

Sunnyside Music Festival, Chaffee Park, 44th and Tejon, Denver.

Hop, Skip, and Jump Start 5k, Toddler Trot, and Infant Crawl, at the Children’s Museum. Registration fees go up after September 9th. Hop to it!

Rocky Mountain PBS Kids Fun Fest, at the Rocky Mountain PBS Studios, 1089 Bannock, Denver.

September 13:

Fans on the Field: Denver Stadium 5k/10k. Online registration closes on September 11. The 10k course winds through Invesco Field, the Pepsi Center, and Coors Field; the 5k skips Coors Field. Proceeds benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

Free Days

Saturday, September 5: Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver

Sunday, September 6: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, 1880 Gaylord Street, Denver.

Friday, September 11: Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

First Friday

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Tennyson Street between 38th and 44th Avenues.

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Old South Pearl Street, between Evans and Buchtel.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Santa Fe Drive, between 6th and 13th Avenues.

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Golden Triangle Neighborhood, Lincoln between Speer and 13th.

Happenings

Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7: Louisville Fall Festival, Community Park, 955 Bella Vista Drive, Louisville. Let’s see: Pancake Breakfast, Pet Parade, Dog Show, Bocce and Horseshoe Tournaments, Craft booths, food. . .live music. . . a 5k and 10 mile run. . .auto show. And a Labor Day Parade to top it all off. If you’re not exhausted just reading that list, check out the website for complete details on Louisville’s fall festival. Don’t forget: It’s the best place to live in America!

Classes

Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Pregnant Women and H1N1. If you’re pregnant, or think you might become pregnant, find out how to stay safe and healthy during flu season. Call 303-425-8154 to register. The class will be held at Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street, in Wheat Ridge.

Wednesday, September 9, 11:00 am: Create Playdate: Roar, at the Denver Art Museum, Hamilton Building, Level 2. The Create Playdates are back at the Art Museum! Best for kids ages 3 – 5, these playdates are specially tailored for little ones to maximize the artistic experience. The Playdate is free with museum admission; grab your preschooler and head on down.

Theater and Music

Through September 5: Annie at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. There are still tickets available for the final two shows of this production. Check the website for show times and ticket prices.

Through September 27: Cirque du Soleil presents Kooza at the Big Top on the grounds of the Pepsi Center. Show times and ticket prices vary; check the website for complete details and ordering information.

Through November 14: Sleeping Beauty at the Heritage Square Music Hall, 18301 West Colfax Avenue, Golden (30) 279-7800. The classic story we all know and love, especially for children. Shows are on Saturdays at 1:30 pm. There are often 3:00 pm shows, but call to confirm. Ticket prices are $6.00 for children and adults, $5.00 for seniors (age 62 or over).

Farmers’ (and other) Markets

Saturday, September 5, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm: A Paris Street Market, Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton. Only two more chances to catch this one–the Street Market retires for the winter in October.

The Farmers’ Markets are organized 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. 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.

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

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

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