This is a great weekend to get into the western spirit as the Colorado Indian Market arrives in Denver and the National Western Stock Show wraps up its 112th edition. If you're looking for affordable family fun, check out the Denver Zoo on Friday and Saturday - admission is free! So get out of the house and brave the snow because there's certainly more to do this weekend than football-watching. Check out one of these fun events across Colorado:
The 37th Annual Colorado Indian Market and Southwest Showcase runs from Friday to Sunday at the Denver Mart at 58th and I-25. Hundreds of venders will be selling art, jewelry, home goods and antiques. There will be music, food and fun with Inka Gold, Autumn Morning Star, Bill Miller, Brulé and Terry Tsotigh among the many artists scheduled to perform. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and children 13 and under are free. Parking is $5.
Colorado Inferno FC vs. Colorado Blizzard - Colorado Springs
Colorado's professional indoor league soccer teams face off this weekend. The Colorado Inferno FC of Colorado Springs and Denver's Colorado Blizzard — both of the Major Arena Soccer League 2 — play Friday night at the SoccerHaus (4845 List Drive near Garden of the Gods and Centennial). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the match begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for military and $5 for kids 5 to 12. Kids four and under are free, as is parking. For a fun adults night out, reserve a spot at the Upper 90 Tavern, a great bar located inside SoccerHaus.
Free Days at the Denver Zoo - Denver
For a fun and free family activity this weekend, head to the Denver Zoo, for two of the zoo's annual free admission days. While zoo tickets are normally $17, admission is $0 on Friday and Saturday this weekend. The Denver Zoo, which occupies 75 acres in City Park, is home to nearly 4,000 animals representing 650 species. Some are native to our Rocky Mountain backyard, while others come from far away. These include such species as Asian elephants, African lions, Komodo dragons, Asian tigers and Western lowland gorillas. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This information was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighOnTheCheap.com.
Bridal Festivals Wedding Expo - Colorado Springs
Southern Colorado's largest bridal festival and wedding expo is this weekend. The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Antlers Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs. The expo has everything couples need to create a fun and fresh wedding experience. The event features the best wedding professionals, the hottest 2018 gowns, the latest in wedding trends and floral arrangements as well as delicious treats on which to snack. You can also register for an all-inclusive honeymoon at the event. Tickets are $3 online or $5 at the door.
Polar Bear Run and Plunge - Fort Collins
Calling all runners, walkers, kids and dare devils: enjoy a scenic run around Horsetooth Reservoir and after the run, take a dive into icy water! If you don't feel like taking the plunge, you can grab some hot chocolate or a beer from Odell Brewery instead. Race day registration begins Saturday at 9 a.m. There will be a 5K Walk/Run and a 1-Mile Walk/Run and all participants receive a long sleeve shirt. Runners, walkers, strollers and dogs are welcome. Proceeds from the races benefit the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team.
Raiders of the Lost Ark in IMAX - Denver
Cinema classic Raiders of the Lost Ark returns to the big — BIG! — screen this weekend. The first entry in the Indiana Jones saga will play on the huge IMAX screen at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Friday and Saturday. Showings begin at 7:30 p.m. each night. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, the movie features the winning combination of archeology, action heroics and Nazi villains. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at DMNS.org.
Stagecoach Classic - Winter Park
The 5th annual Stagecoach Classic cross country ski race begins at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash and ends in downtown Winter Park. There are three events: a 30K ski race, 15K ski race and 15K ski tour. You can register online if you're interested in racing. If you don't feel like participating, the after party is not to be missed. Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park will have a beer garden, DJ and food venders for some festive winter fun from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free shuttles will run between Winter Park and Devil's Thumb Ranch until 4 p.m.
National Western Stock Show - Denver
You have one final weekend to see the 112th National Western Stock Show. As well as being the premier livestock, rodeo and horse show in the United States, the show is also a nationally-recognized celebration of western heritage and culture. The rodeo is one of the world's richest regular season professional rodeos and there are plenty of other entertainment options as well. The horse show is one of the largest in the county and the western trade show is Colorado's largest. Exploring the exhibit hall, featuring 900 spaces of fine art, jewelry, clothing, household items and agricultural products and equipment, is truly a Colorado tradition. Tickets and a full schedule of events, which run through Sunday, can be found at NationalWestern.com.
Women's March on Colorado - Across Colorado
Several marches will be taking place in Colorado on Saturday, one year after large marches occurred across the country. The largest Women's March is planned for Denver's Civic Center Park with a pre-rally beginning at 9 a.m. Organizers say they are marching because they believe "that social justice, human rights, and equality for women and all marginalized people nationwide are shared American values." The marches are not just for women, as men and children are encouraged to join as well. Women's Marches are also planned Saturday in Grand Junction, Gunnison, Greeley, Pueblo and Sunday in Colorado Springs.
Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send an email to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
