Saturday. Salute the nation’s fallen servicemen and women at the Denver Memorial Day parade. A tradition for more than 80 years, the parade includes military personnel and veterans marching through downtown Denver. All branches of the service are represented. The parade is sponsored by the Denver United Veterans’ Council, Denver County Veteran Services Office and the city of Denver. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Downtown Denver, between Broadway and Welton Street, and 14th Avenue and 17th Street. Admission is free.
Saturday. 4 stages. 20 bands. 1 Day of Rock. You won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual Denver Day of Rock presented by Concerts for Kids. The day will feature 20 bands on four stages placed up and down the 16th Street Mall – all free to the public! SkateLegends.com will be performing demonstrations and there will be interactive booths with local face paint and air brush artists, chalk artists and much more fun for the whole family. 2:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday. Visit denverdayofrock.com for the complete schedule
Saturday-Monday. Celebrate the start of summer, Boulder style, at the 23rd annual Boulder Creek Festival. A swath of downtown Boulder becomes the festival grounds for three days of food and festivities. It’s enough to fill an afternoon — and an evening: live music, rides, yummy food and shopping, plus a kids’ stage and a teen battle of the bands. A highlight of the festival is the Great Rubber Duck Race at 4 p.m. Monday. Festivalgoers purchase a duck to float down Boulder Creek and win prizes. The money from duck purchases goes to Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Bandshell performances and food courts are open until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Along Boulder Creek, 9th Street to 14th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. Admission is free. Visit bceproductions.com for more information.
Saturday-Monday. Get ready for fun in the sun at the 31st annual Old South Gaylord Street Memorial Day Festival. Each day of the event starts with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., with strolling magicians and balloon art just for kids. Grown-ups are welcome, too, for rockin’ sets by bands like Jockamo, The Neil Bridge 7+ and The Spin. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday. South Gaylord Street between Tennessee and Mississippi Avenues. Park at South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave., for free and catch a free shuttle to the festival. Admission is free.
Saturday. It’s a Plant Conservation Day party at the Butterfly Pavilion’s Bloomapalooza. The Pavilion will be buzzing — more than usual — with activities for nature lovers of all ages. See demonstrations on all sorts of topics, from beekeeping to composting, join a “garden safari” or get up close with some of the Pavilion’s butterflies. Kids can expend some energy, too, on a climbing wall, a tropical obstacle course, relay races, craft activities and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster; 303-469-5441. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors age 65 and older, $5.50 for kids ages 2 to 12. Learn more at butterflies.org.
Saturday-Sunday. Get in the patriotic spirit with Denver Brass at “Fanfare for the American Spirit.” The ensemble’s Memorial Day celebration features the stirring sounds of American composers from Irving Berlin to John Philip Sousa. Expect a couple of Aaron Copland pieces, too: “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “A LIncoln Portrait.” Bring along a can of food to donate and receive $2 off admission. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 Iliff Ave.; 303-871-6200. Tickets are $22-$43 for adults, $19-$37 for students and seniors, $11-$21.50 for kids age 12 and younger. To buy advance tickets, call 303-832-HORN or visit denverbrass.org.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
