Events
Chinese New Year: Fun Events, Crafts and Food For Celebrating with Your Kids
Whenever Chinese New Year rolls around I think “I must celebrate” because really, I’m always looking for another chance to party. And every year I drop the ball because I have no idea what exactly it is and what to do apart from stuffing my face with Americanized Chinese food that would probably make the natives cringe. Sweet and sour chicken, anyone? Upon doing a little bit of digging, I became fascinated with Chinese New Year that starts on Jan. 31, 2014. This is not because I’m a “holiday-obsessed mom” (as stated in Gretchen’s recent blog post) but because it is a fantastic opportunity to educate my kids about another very important culture that iw one fo the largest celebrations in the world. And because I really like to party (see above). Wha...
Family Events: Golden’s Candelight Walk, Blossoms of Light & Zoo Lights!
Warm to the Glow of Blossoms of Light. Nightly, Nov. 29, 2013 through Jan. 1, 2014, 5:30-9:30 p.m. More than one million colorful lights are on display at Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield throughout the holiday season. At York Street, seasonal entertainment is presented on select evenings. A synchronized holiday light and music showcase illuminates the UMB Bank Amphitheater, and themed gardens enhance the experience. At Chatfield, twinkling lights illuminate a variety of paths throughout Colorado’s countryside; a shorter route takes visitors directly to the children’s play area, while an extended path allows visitors to explore the Green Farm barn and silo before continuing to the children’s area and homestead. Also featured: seasonal entertainment and hayride...
Events: It’s a Wonderful Life, Christkindle Market and More!
It’s a Wonderful Life. Do you love this Christmas classic as much as my husband does? I recently surprised him with a date night to see this story brought to life as a 1940’s radio broadcast at Miner’s Alley Playhouse in Golden. I’m admittedly not a huge fan of the movie but fell in love with the charming and hilarious cast who made us laugh ’til we cried and ignited an appreciation for idealistic George Bailey as he received divine intervention one Christmas Eve. This 130-seat theater was quaint, the acting superb and the audience interaction was fun (have you ever been playfully given Jelly Bellies by the actors prior to a show?) Go early and join the cast for holiday songs and Christmas stories. Now through December 22 with performances every Friday and Saturda...
Free fun: Denver-area cultural activities that don’t cost a thing
There are plenty of free things to do along the Front Range, but some are more valuable than others. But wait: isn’t free always good? Not really. Whether you’re dropping cash or time, you’re still spending something. Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase “time is money,” but microeconomic theory calls it “opportunity cost” — or the realization that choosing to do one thing necessarily crowds out the opportunity for another. Some free things offer a better return on your time investment. And when it comes investing in arts and culture, free can be a powerful motivator to try something new. “When cost is a barrier someone might end up saying, ‘Oh, that isn’t for me,'” said Ashley Pritchard, communications manager for the Denver...
Guess the Great Pumpkin’s Weight & Win Elitch Gardens Fright Fest Tickets!
**CONTEST CLOSED. THE GREAT PUMPKIN WEIGHED 1220.5 POUNDS. CONGRATS TO WINNERS CATHERINE T. (1,200 LBS), PRICILLA B. (1.252 LBS) AND MARILYN B. (1,200)** It’s that time of year again: pumpkins! Actually, growing giant pumpkins is a year-round pastime for my husband Jamie and he will be participating in the weigh-off and fall festival at Jared’s Nursery, Gift & Garden in Littleton on Saturday Sept 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids will love the giant pumpkins and other giant and/or mutant vegetables, in addition to Jared’s Galleria of Ghouls, a straw maze, obstacle course, bouncy castle, face painting and a petting zoo. Jamie’s pumpkin “Stanley” was lovingly named after my dad and is the biggest he has ever grown. Unfortunately, it formed a small crack a few weeks ago so i...
Events: Day Out with Thomas, Mom’preneur Marketplace and more
Celtic Harvest Festival in Edgewater. On Sept. 21 and 22, enjoy Celtic culture celebrated by Colorado artists and musicians with lots of FUN family and children’s activities games in Edgewater. Nine Celtic Bands include: Angus Mohr, Mythica Chancer’s, Keep Britain Irish, Billy the Mountain, Celtic Winds, Kindred Spirits, O’Neil’s Fancy, Sherman Woods, and Colcannon. Featuring Pipe Bands, Celtic Dancers, Dogs of the British Isles, Sheep Herding Demos, The RenScots, HawkQuest, Celtic Clans, Celtic Marketplace, Farmer’s Market, Beer & Spirits. The festival starts at 10 a.m. at Citizens Park, 2431 Chase Street, Denver. http://www.celticharvestfestivaledgewater.com/ Corn Maze at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. Starting Sept. 13, the Gardens’ annual eight-acre co...
Events: PBS KIDS Fun Fest, Friendship Powwow, Festival Italiano and More!
Denver’s Annual Rocky Mountain PBS KIDS Fun Fest. On Sept. 7, Rocky Mountain PBS is hosting a fantastic FREE party for families. Ideal for kids preschool age through sixth grade, the event will host PBS characters such as Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Word Girl and Sid the Science Kid. Entertainment from the stage includes performances by outstanding local talent guaranteed to get everyone moving. Healthy refreshments will be offered and kids will enjoy moving around to different activity areas featuring Discovery Street, PBS Healthy Kids Go, PBS Science KIDS, PBS KIDS Create and PBS ABCs & 123s KIDS. The event will be held at Rocky Mountain PBS, 1089 Bannock Street, Denver from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. http://www.rmpbs.org/funfest Free Library Concert. On Saturday, September 7, the ...
Events: A Taste of Colorado, free festivals and more
Taste of Colorado. A Labor Day tradition in Denver, Taste of Colorado not only has more than 50 of Colorado’s favorite food establishments and 280 Marketplace booths but loads of family-friend events. Featured acts, including Wayne and Wingnut’s “Red Hot Chili Puppets” Comedy Ventriloquist, Bekah Smith’s One-Woman Circus Adventure, and Mr. Kneeel’s Hip Hop for Families, are set to appear on the Comfort Dental KidzStage. Children and adults can stay busy for hours with carnival rides, games, educational exhibits, and more. The KidZone presented by MIX 100 is a family-friendly area offering play equipment and table tennis. There will also be a great variety of free, hands-on craft activities for children of all ages, presented by 101.9 WAY-FM. KidZone hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fri.,...
Denver Deal: BlueBell, Consignment Sales, Goldstar, and Free Concerts
I was lucky enough to recently try the new menu at LaSandia Restaurant. The kid’s menu was great! Most of the time when we order from the kid’s menu – not only are their choices limited (as if kids have no taste except for chicken nuggets and mac and cheese) but the kid’s menu usually only offers a tiny portion. But at LaSandia it was diverse and hearty! My daughter tried the tacos. She was pleasantly surprised as well at the quantity and quality of the food. We chose to visit on a Tuesday – it was Taco Tuesday. It was busy but delicious. So maybe we will see you there next Tuesday? BlueBell Ice Cream You don’t have to wait to hear the Ice Cream Truck coming your way – you can go to the Ice Cream and get it yourself (and for FREE!!!). BlueBell Ic...
Events: Old-fashioned Corn Roast Festival, Cirque and More
Old-fashioned Corn Roast Festival. On Aug 23rd, the event will kick off with the annual Corn Shucking Contest, lots of food, fun and entertainment with the New Sensation, 80’s Band. Saturday the 24th starts with the Annual Corn Roast Parade, Corn Eating Contest, Loveland’s Got Talent, Kid Zone activities, with lots more food, fun and entertainment and bands playing all throughout the day in downtown Loveland at 152 East 5th Street. http://www.denver.org Be sure to see Peter and the Starcatcher Aug. 15 through Sept. 1 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A grownup’s prequel to the beloved story of Peter Pan, Broadway’s most mayhem-filled evening of madcap fun launches its national tour in Denver. With enormous talent, ingenious stagecraft and the ...
Events: Cultimate Festival, Heroes Against Hunger and More!
Heroes Against Hunger Summer Block Party. Help fight child hunger On Saturday, August 17th from noon-5 p.m. at the University of Denver Campus Green. Admission is FREE and kids can enjoy carnival games, a bounce castle, and great food, which will cost less than $4. Currently, one in five kids in Colorado struggles with hunger. Chefs Daniel Asher of Linger, Brandon Foster of Vesta Dipping Grill, Jeff Osaka of Twelve, Matt Selby of Corner House and Tyler Wiard of Elway’s will join Cummings to create and serve their favorite dishes. Local farmers, Denver Urban Gardens, MM Local, Source Local Foods, and Whole Foods will set up a farmers market to show off local produce. Community organizations like Cooking Matters Colorado, Produce for Pantries, and Slow Food will give cooking demonstrations. ...
Events: Jefferson County Fair, Back-to-School Fest and More
Jefferson County Fair. August 9-11, the Jefferson County Fair includes carnival rides and attractions, Mutton Bustin’, the Jefferson County Rodeo, Draft Horse Show, Evening of Horses, stage entertainment, Stick Horse Rodeo and more. Admission is free at the Jefferson Count Fairgrounds 15200 West 6th Avenue, Golden, Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Be sure to check the website for specific event times. http://www.jeffcofairinc.org/ Denver County Fair. This annual event Aug. 9-11 celebrates the creativity and personality of Denver, with events, exhibitors, blue ribbon competitions and more. This year they have 14 interlocking indoor pavilions, each with its own exhibitors, vendors, stage demonstrations, entertainment and open competitions. The super-popular Kids Pavilion will ...
