Saturday. Fall is in the air and there’s no better way to kick it off than by checking out Jared’s 6th Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Festival on Saturday. Last year, thousands of people attended this event that featured 1,500+ pound pumpkins measuring more than 14 feet in circumference. In addition to the weigh-off, there will be a kid’s costume parade, dog costume contest, pumpkin drop, chili cook-off, free straw maze, bouncy castle, petting zoo, Galleria of Ghouls and much more. Festivities go from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Go to JaredsGarden.com for specific times. Jared’s Nursery, 10500 W. Bowles Avenue, Littleton. Admission is free to the public.
Through Sunday. Boulder celebrates the onset of autumn at the Downtown Boulder Fall Festival. The Pearl Street Mall serves as the festival grounds, with local artists lining the street to display their works. The plaza in front of the Boulder County Courthouse will be the entertainment center of the fest, featuring live performances, kids’ carnival rides, food vendors and a beer tent from Boulder’s own Avery Brewing Company. Acts on the performance roster include The Nacho Men, The Fab 4, Ballet Nouveau, Spring Creek and Fierce Bad Rabbit. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Pearl Street Mall between 11th and 15th Streets, Boulder. Admission is free. boulderfallfest.com
Through Sunday. The chile harvest is in full swing, and Pueblo’s throwing a party: The Loaf ‘N’ Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival takes over downtown Pueblo. Chile roasters will be turning and music will be playing all weekend long as visitors shop for peppers to keep them warm through the winter. Arts and crafts vendors will be peddling their wares, too, and local pros and amateurs compete in the Chili and Salsa Showdown. Sunday brings the “Hot to Trot” 5K run and 2-mile walk, plus the awe-inspiring jalapeno eating contest, when brave souls scarf bowlsful of searing peppers to win cash. 3-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Union Avenue between East B and West 1 Streets, Pueblo. Admission is free. pueblochilefestivalinfo.com
Sunday. Denver sports fans get an intimate tour of the city’s stadiums at the Fans on the Field 5K/10K Walk/Run. 10K runners get the full tour: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Pepsi Center and Coors Field. The 5K is a loop from Mile High to the Pepsi Center and back, with the same athlete’s-eye-view of each. Youngsters can sign up for a “Rookie Run” around the field at Mile High, finishing at the same finish line the grownups use. Registration fees benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled. Registration and packet pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. 5K begins at 8:30 a.m.; 10K at 8:40 a.m.; Rookie Run at 10:30 a.m. Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. General registration is $35, “All-Star Upgrade” with technical T-shirt and gift is $50. Rookie Run registration is $15. fansonthefield.com
Saturday. The Beatles get the orchestral treatment at “Classical Mystery Tour,” presented by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. “Classical Mystery Tour” is a touring group of four Beatlemaniacs who perform tunes from the band’s catalog with a full orchestra backing. The idea is to give a huge, full sound to hits like “Penny Lane,” “Yesterday,” “She’s Leaving Home” and “Hey Jude.” Expect more than 20 songs spanning the Beatles’ career, plus a few numbers from the members’ solo albums. 8 p.m. Saturday. Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs; 719-799-4139. Tickets are $19-$57; student, senior and military discounts are available at box office. Buy tickets at ticketswest.com or call 866-464-2626. csphilharmonic.org
Saturday. Experience zoo life after dark at the Denver Zoo’s Scout Night. Girl and Boy Scouts are invited to bring their families for an evening of activities, many of which can qualify toward merit badges. Live animal demonstrations, keeper talks, craft activities and even a Radio Disney dance party will keep scouts busy all evening long. Food and drink will be available, too, including a $1 hot dog cart. 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.; 303-376-4800. Admission is $15 per person; group discounts are available. Tickets only available in advance, until 3 p.m. Saturday. Visit tickets.denverzoo.org to buy.
Kathleen St. John (with Amber Johnson)
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.
