September 11th is, of course, a solemn day. For solitude and reflection, head over to Hudson Gardens, where admission is free today, and the serenity of the gardens can offer solace and encouragement. Or, head up to Arvada’s Harvest Festival this weekend, and take part in the Remembrance Walk/Run. Proceeds benefit military, veterans, and their families.

The Corn Maze at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is open and ready to confuse. Stay tuned for more information about other metro-area corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall fun. If you need information right now, click here.

As always, check before you go. Dress appropriately for the weather—summer is on its way out, and that means cool, crisp, fabulous fall nights!

Free Days

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

Saturday, September 12: Grandparents Day at the Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremon Place, Denver. Free admission for Grandparents (who are over 65) and their Grandchildren.

Sunday, September 13: ”Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver.

Wednesday, September 16, 6:00 pm: The Voysey Inheritance, at the Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are distributed the day of the show only, 2 hours before the performance, at the box office. First-come, first-served, one ticket per person, no children under 6. But still free! Check the website for complete details (search on “Free for All”).

Happenings and Extraordinarily Fun Things to Do

Fridays, 4:00 – 10:00, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sundays, Noon – 10:00 pm, through October 31: The Corn Maze at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton. $10/adult, $5 children 3 – 12, kids under 3 are free. The Corn Maze is officially open, and it’s just one of several events going on at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield between now and Halloween. Of course, we’ll have updates on the Botanic Gardens, as well as information on other corn mazes in the metro area, as the season progresses.

Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13: Arvada Harvest Festival, Olde Town Arvada, Grandview and Old Wadsworth, Arvada. A parade, featuring folks from our favorite current Cirque du Soleil show, Kooza, a children’s parade, a movie (Mary Poppins!), a remembrance walk, harvest fair, and lots of great food and fun.

Saturday, September 12
9:00 am: The Children’s Museum Hop, Skip, and Jump Start 5k, Toddler Trot, and Infant Crawl. Finally, an absolutely stroller-friendly race! You can still register the day of the race, and your fee includes not just the requisite t-shirt and post-race food, but also admission to the museum. Woot! Check the website for complete details.

10:00 am – 7:00 pm: Sunnyside Music Fest, Chaffee Park, 44th and Tejon, Denver. Head to North Denver to experience live music, activities for the kids, great food, cheap beer, and the best this Denver neighborhood has to offer.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Rocky Mountain PBS Kids Fun Fest, at the Rocky Mountain PBS Studios, 1089 Bannock, Denver. Special appearances by Clifford the Big Red Dog, Charlie the Big Green Rabbit, and Mr. Steve, the. . . not-so-big guy who sings. There will also be bouncy castles, a climbing wall, a petting farm, and refreshments. Bring a can of food for the Food Bank of the Rockies.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Thornton Harvest Fest, Thornton Community Park, 2141 East 95th Avenue. Thornton celebrates fall with a pancake breakfast, fishing derby, and skatepark competition (because nothing says “harvest” like some awesome skateboarding). Of course there will also be great food, live entertainment, and wagon rides. Some of the events take place offsite; check the website for times and locations.

11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Paws-and-Claws Runway Rescue and Bow Wow Wedding Vows Pet Adoption Marathon, Aspen Grove Shopping Center, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton. This unique event presents adoptable pets walking the runway with folks modeling the latest fashions from Aspen Grove retailers. There will also be a doggy wedding, and other fun and informative things to do. If you’ve been looking to get a pet, this adoption marathon just might be the ticket.

Sunday, September 13: Fans on the Field: Denver Stadium 5k/10k. Online registration closes September 11. That’s today! 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

Theater and Music

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

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