Friday-Sunday. Ski season’s long gone, but Copper Mountain will be hopping for a “3 Ring Weekend.” The three-day event combines family friendly fun with an ecological message. The party starts Friday with a concert by Rojos Calientes at West Lake, followed by an outdoor screening of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” Saturday begins with a 10K race; meanwhile kids can join the “Primp My Ride” party and decorate their bikes in preparation for a parade. Sunday’s main events are a half-marathon and fun-run for kids. Both days also feature fireworks, a “Conscious Carnival,” free concerts, DJs and more. 6 p.m. tonight, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Copper Mountain Resort, 209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain; 866-841-2481. Admission is free.
Saturdays and Sundays. Add a dash of magic to the day with “Unbelievable” at the Amusement Park at Heritage Square. Starring magician Chad Wonder, the kid-oriented show includes all sorts of illusions and trickery. Before and after the show, there’s plenty to explore at the amusement park: rides for all ages, paddle boats, miniature golf and the brand new slick-track go-karts. Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day. Call for showtimes. The Amusement Park at Heritage Square, 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden; 303-727-8437. Admission to the show is free with a $25 park wristband, or two $1.25 park tickets per person. Visit 303parties.com for more information.
Saturday. Beat the heat with a free showing of “His Girl Friday” at the Starz FilmCenter. Presented by the Tattered Cover, free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 1940 comedy classic stars Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant as an ex-husband-and-wife in the newspaper business. When editor Grant discovers Russell is engaged to another man, he quickly devises a scheme to get his former wife and star reporter to cover one last story. Chaos and craziness, of course, ensue. 7 p.m. Saturday. Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway; 303-595-3456. Tickets are free, and will be distributed one hour before the show at the FilmCenter box office.
Sunday. Youngsters can have a 4th of July parade of their own at the Cheesman Park Independence Day Kids’ Parade. Gussy up your bikes, spruce up a scooter and paint your wagons to join in the patriotic celebration. Meet and greet Denver firefighters and mounted police along the way, too. Parade riders should meet at the pavilion on the east side of the park to line up. 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. Cheesman Park, 8th Avenue and Franklin Street. Admission is free.
Through Jan. 11, 2011. If you can’t make it to the mountains this weekend, there’s another way to experience the great outdoors: the National Geographic Crittercam at the Wildlife Experience. Learn about how the camera, worn by animals in the wild, is giving scientists a new perspective on animal behavior. Guests can see footage for themselves, too, and get a glimpse of the animals’ point of view. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker; 720-488-3300. Admission is $10 for adults ages 13 to 64, $9 for seniors age 65 and older, $6 for children ages 3 to 12. Learn more at thewildlifeexperience.org.
-Kathleen St. John
Author: Mile High Mamas
