Littleton’s Western Welcome Week and the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival both wrap up this weekend. Parades and fireworks, food and fun! Or, if you’re heading up to Boulder, visit the Boulder Asian Festival on the Pearl Street Mall. If you’re downtown, check out the SunStock Festival at Skyline Park. A full day of music, benefitting the Rocky Mountain Rett Assocation.
If you’re looking for something a little different for your next date night, we’ve got a couple of events coming up on August 29. In Cherry Creek, you can run the SkirtChaser 5k. Headed up by Nicole DeBoom, the Boulder entrepreneur/athlete who invented those sporty little running skirts (and started a national craze), this zippy 5k starts at 5:00 pm. For the women. Men start at 5:03 and have to catch up. If they can. It’s sort of being touted as a singles thing, but I say “Moms represent!” The only thing faster than a mom is that 2 ½-year-old she’s chasing. So grab your SO, run a few miles (it’s only 3!), and join the post-race happy hour extravaganza. Show those singles how it’s done. Our loyal Mile High Mamas readers get a special discount, so enter code MHMC when you’re registering. And also: One of those sporty little skirts is included with your registration fee. Keeping you in style, we are. Even while you sweat.
If that doesn’t float your boat, or you’re looking for something that actually resembles a date date, the Hotel Boulderado is holding its 1st Annual Michael Jackson Dance Party on August 29th, (MJ’s birthday) to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. $19 gets you in, costumes are encouraged, and you can indulge your secret fantasy to perform that Thriller dance you practiced back when you were a kid. If I weren’t doing the SkirtChaser, I’d be shakin’ it down to the ground at this.
Aside from that, the summer is definitely winding down. I hope you’ve all been heeding my advice to “Check before you go.” Judging by the extended concert series schedules, many of those shows had to be rescheduled due to the inclement weather. Luckily for us, that gives us another week or two of outdoor music happiness.
Free Days
Thursday, August 20: Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver.
Summer Concerts
Friday, August 14
Noon – 1:30 pm: Noon Tunes, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. Today is your last opportunity to rock out during your lunch hour. DVS and Chantel and Friends close out Noon Tunes.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Concerts on the Square at the Orchard, Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware Street, Westminster. This series still has several shows left (it runs through August 28) This week, Dotsero performs.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Sounds of Southlands, Southlands Shopping District, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road. This week Steve Thomas plays hits from the 80s. I always wonder: Which hits? The new wave hits, or the hair band hits? They never specify.
Tuesday, August 18
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 is the last of the rescheduled shows, so say ¡Hola! to the Nacho Men, and then it’s ¡Adios! to this series.
Wednesday, August 19
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: John-Alex Mason w/ Ana Egge. The Shady Grove series will continue through September 2. Tickets are $10/adults, $2 kids 12 and under.
Thursday, August 20
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park (South Pierce and West Bowles), Littleton. Celtic rockers The Indulgers play in this rescheduled show.
Summer Movie Programs
Friday, August 14, dusk: Flicks in the Square presents August Rush. Olde Town Square, 57th and Olde Wadsworth, Olde Town Arvada. They even have a band performing beforehand: Bobby Doran.
Friday, August 14, 8:15 pm: Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa,Highlands Ranch Film in the Park, Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Boulevard, Highlands Ranch.
Saturday, August 15, 7:30 pm: Boulder Outdoor Cinema presents Wall-E, 1750 13th Street, Downtown Boulder (behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art). Suggested donation of $5 at the door; concessions available for purchase. Pre-show entertainment (movie shorts, etc.) begin around 7:00, movie begins around dusk.
Tuesday, August 18, 6:45 pm: Film on the Rocks, Red Rocks Ampitheater, Morrison. This week’s film is Top Gun with musical guest Paper Bird. Not sure if this is the most kid-friendly film around, but older kids will love the flying scenes. Tickets are $10 general admission if purchased in advance, $12 at the door; parking is free. Check the website for the complete schedule.
Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do
Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Golden Fine Arts Festival, Downtown Golden on 11th Street, west of Washington between Arapahoe and Maple. This juried fine arts festival is a great excuse to get out to Golden. Enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides, Chipmunk Express train rides, a Kids Art Zone sponsored by ArtReach, and of course food and drink.
Saturday, August 15, Noon –10:00 pm: SunStock: The 4th Annual Unknown Fest, Skyline Park, 1775 Arapahoe (on the 16th Street Mall), Denver. Head downtown for live music all day, vendors, artisans, and crafts. SunStock is free, but it’s also a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Rett Association. Check the website for a complete list of performers, as well as more information about Rett Syndrome.
Through Sunday, August 16: Western Welcome Week, Downtown Littleton. The 81st Western Welcome Week, celebrating Littleton, continues with another weekend of blockbuster events! Check out the parade on Saturday, the Craft Fair, Quilt Show, kids activities, family stage. . . git on out thar and join the hoedown.
Friday, August 14, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Louisville Downtown Street Faire, Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street, downtown Louisville. Live music begins around 6:00. Food and drinks, vendors, artisans, and stuff for the kids, in addition to the live music. . . this is the last night for the Faire in fabulous Louisville.
Saturday, August 15, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Westminster Faire, Westminster City Park, 105th and Sheridan. A pancake breakfast, live entertainment, fun for the kids (Inflatables!), and even low-cost vaccines for your animals—go help Westminster celebrate their 19th year as an official municipality.
Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm: 15th Annual Boulder Asian Festival, Pearl Street Mall on the Boulder County Courthouse Lawn, Boulder. Celebrate Asian culture with music, dance, food, and a children’s area that has hands-on activities, including origami, kimono dressing, and storytelling.
Through Saturday, August 15: Wheat Ridge celebrates its 40th birthday with The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. Live music, spaghetti dinners, arts and crafts, kids activities, a beer garden, and, of course, the requisite parade on Saturday morning. Check the website for a complete list of performers, vendors, and times.
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
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).
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.
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
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 [email protected]