This weekend marks the return of the festivals. More significantly, foreign festivals: Oktoberfest downtown, Festival Italiano at BelMar, and the Festival International in Aurora. I don’t know if it’s a last gasp before the cold sets in or what, but there is plenty to do in the next several days.

If you’re in the mood for a movie, check out the amazing new IMAX movie at the Museum of Nature and Science or get your tickets to see the Wizard of Oz in hi-def. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity! See below for more details.

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! And if you’ve lived here for any length of time, then you know that snow is always a possibility, too.

Free Days

Saturday, September 19: Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver.

Planning Ahead

Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am: Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off, Jared’s Nursery, 10500 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton. We’ve heard quite a bit about some of these gigantic gourds. Plan a trip to Littleton next weekend to view those that survived the massacre. I mean storm.

Happenings and Extraordinarily Fun Things to Do
Friday, September 18, 5:00 pm – 1:00 am, Saturday, September 19, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, and Sunday, September 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Oktoberfest, Ballpark Neighborhood, 2001 Blake Street, Denver. This is the final Oktoberfest for Denver, after 40 years. 40 years! Head downtown for live entertainment, amusements, a Long Dog Derby, and, next weekend, Das HustleHoff 5k/10k. In honor of a certain Baywatch star who is still popular over in Germany. Oktoberfest continues next weekend, as well. Check the website for a full list of activities and entertainment.

Friday, September 18: Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure opens at the IMAX theater at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver. This sort-of-scary-but-really-cool film is an amazing blend of computer technology, research, and an engaging story involving some prehistoric creatures we don’t get to see too often. And if you’ve ever driven through Hays, Kansas and wondered what the heck the Sternberg Museum is all about. . . well, once you see this, you’ll have a better idea. The film is rated PG for some scary situations, mostly involving giant prehistoric sea creatures eating less giant sea creatures. My boys, ages 6 and 8, loved it. Get JoAnn’s take on it, too.

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20: Summerset Fest, Clement Park, Corner of Bowles and Pierce, Littleton. Festivities kick off Friday night, with a picnic, live music, and fireworks, then continue into the weekend, with a pancake breakfast, softball tournament, fishing derby, auto show, craft fair, kids activities, and, of course, plenty of live entertainment, food, and beverages. Fun like this makes saying goodbye to summer much less painful.

Saturday, September 19, 11:00 am 6:00 pm: Festival International, Fletcher Plaza, 9898 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora. Celebrate cultures from around the world, including Ireland, the Polynesian Islands, China, India, and Eastern Europe. Live entertainment, food, and the Passport to Culture children’s activity area.

Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Spanish Market and 1830s Rendezvous, The Fort Restaurant, 19192 Hwy 8, Morrison. The Tesoro Foundation presents a juried art show, along with a re-creation of an 1830s encampment, complete with mountain men, farmers’ market, and trappers and traders selling their goods. Adults are $6, seniors and students are $3, and children under 12 are free.

Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm: Festival Italiano, at Belmar Shopping District, Wadsworth and Alameda, Lakewood. Celebrate Italian food and culture (aren’t they the same? Especially when it comes to Italians?) over at BelMar: Check out the intense Bocce tournament, sample great Italian food (and wine!), and let the kids stomp some grapes.

Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 pm: The Wizard of Oz in Hi Definition. Celebrate the 70th anniversary of this classic film. Show time is at 7:00, at various theaters around town, including Southlands, the Pavilions, Colorado Mills, Highlands Ranch, and Greenwood Plaza. Check the website for a list of all theaters, as well as ticket information.

Corn Mazes

For a complete list of corn mazes and pumpkin patches across the state, click here.

The Corn Maze at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. Fridays, 4:00 – 10:00, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sundays, Noon – 10:00 pm, through October 31. 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. This weekend is Fall Harvest Education Weekend. Learn about local produce and the origins of our food. Plenty of kids activities with this one!

Fall Festival at Anderson Farms, Daily, September 19 – November 1; 6728 County Road 3 ¼, Erie. Adults $10, seniors and children 4 – 12 $8, Children 3 and under are free. Anderson Farms’ Fall Festival includes hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin launching on the weekends, and a host of other activites (there’s a fee for some). The website has a complete rundown.

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