KUSA — There is so much to do in Colorado this weekend we couldn't pick just nine things to do! On this final weekend of April there are annual events in Karval and Pagosa Springs, Elitch Gardens and the Georgetown Loop Railroad are ready for summer and some local Olympians are being welcomed home. No matter where you live in Colorado, there's a unique experience waiting for you this weekend:
Mountain Plover Festival — Karval
The 12th Annual Mountain Plover Festival takes place Friday though Sunday in Karval, Colorado, one of North America's largest breeding grounds for the elusive bird. Nature lovers, families and birders will love bird watching on ordinarily inaccessible private land. There will be wildlife viewing, entertainment, history and lots of great food including an authentic Saturday night chuck wagon dinner. Local museums will show visitors what life was like on the prairie in Lincoln County. For tickets and information, visit MountainPloverFestival.com.
Olympic Homecoming — Silverthorne
The Town of Silverthorne will welcome local Olympic and Paralympic athletes home with a special celebration hosted by 9NEWS' Matt Renoux on Saturday. The event begins with a processional at 10:45 a.m. along Rainbow Drive from the Silverthorne Outlet overflow lot to the Silverthorne Recreation Center where a rally for Red Gerard, Kyle Mack, Chris Corning and Jimmy Sides will be held. The Summit Concert Band and Summit High School Band will be on hand providing patriotic music. Following the rally, the celebration will continue at local breweries Angry James, Baker’s Brewery and the Dillon DAM.
Pints & Pools Craft Beer Festival — Pagosa Springs
Enjoy craft beer from 19 breweries while soaking in a variety of 23 pools. Attendees of the Pagosa Pints & Pools Craft Beer Fest can soak on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with food and a full bar available from The Canteen. After 4 p.m., beer tasting will begin in the beer tent where Dave Mencsh will be performing live music. Tickets are available online only here.
Scout Show 2018 — Denver
The Scout Show is a great way for the public to see what scouting is all about. Held at the National Western Complex, the show features hands-on family-friendly activities including games, obstacle courses, camping demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, cub mobiles, pinewood derby car races and much more. The show provides inexpensive entertainment for the whole family. The 2018 Scout Show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission at the door is $5 per family. All Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform get in for free.
Monster Jam — Colorado Springs
Monster Jam is back in Colorado this weekend! Monster Jam brings fans to the edge of their seats with adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement for the whole family. Black Stallion, Iron Warrior, Overkill Evolution, Raminator, Rammunition, Taurus, Wonder Woman and the one-and-only Grave Digger will hold four shows at the Broadmoor World Arena from Friday to Sunday. Tickets start at just $15 at BroadmoorWorldArena.com.
Prepare yourself for funnel cakes and teacup rides: Colorado's largest theme park opens on Saturday for its 128th consecutive year. Elitch Gardens has prepared for summer by ordering more than 100,000 souvenir cups, 200,000 stuffed animals and planting 7,200 pansies. The 2018 season will feature music concerts by country music star Chris Lane, pop band Why Don’t We, Hispanic super group Banda El Recodo and crossover sensation Switchfoot. Season passes are $69.99 and pay for themselves after two visits and are on sale now at ElitchGardens.com.
Colorado Classic Horse Show — Denver
The 42nd annual Colorado Classic Horse Show runs from Friday to Sunday at the National Western Events Center. The show is the first major horse show of the year for Colorado Morgans, Saddlebreds and Arabians, as well as other breeds. The Western Music Association will perform a free family-friendly showcase on Saturday featuring western music, poetry and yodeling.
Colorado Eagles Playoffs — Loveland
The Eagles are into the second round of the ECHL playoffs! After defeating the Wichita Thunder in the first round, the Eagles will face the Idaho Steelheads. Game 1 of the series is Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center and Game 2 is Sunday. Tickets for all playoff games are on sale now at ColoradoEagles.com.
Ballet Ariel — Lakewood
To cap their spring season, Ballet Ariel will be performing a ballet set to Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring as well as debuting an original, Ballerinas by Degas. Both beautiful ballets will be performed for two shows only at the Lakewood Cultural Center on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online Lakewood.org/Tickets, at the box office on 470 S. Allison Pkwy. or by phone at 303-987-7845.
Donut Dash 5K/10K — Denver
The Donut Dash 5K and 10K is Denver’s race that ends with donuts. Both race lengths will be held on Saturday at City Park with the 5K beginning at 8:45 a.m. and the 10K at 9:30 a.m. All finishers get a medal, race logo shirt and can indulge in post-race food and donuts. Register online at ColoradoRunnerEvents.com.
Colorado Springs Pet Expo — Colorado Springs
Coloradans love their pets and the Pet Expo is all about pets. The event features over 165 exhibitors from across the state. There will be pet demonstrations, training seminars, adoptions, prize giveaways, Frisbee dogs and more. You can bring your pet too if you'd like, but you'll have to sign a waiver at the door. The Colorado Springs Pet Expo runs Friday to Sunday at Colorado Springs Events Center.
2018 Pac-12 Women's Lacrosse Tournament — Boulder
The 2018 Pac-12 Women's Lacrosse Tournament begins Thursday in Boulder. The tournament matches will take place at Prentup Field in Boulder and the champion will be crowned Sunday afternoon. The CU Buffs enter the tournament as the #1 seed and will first play Friday at 1 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit Pac-12.com.
Outdoor Heritage Day — Palisade
Soak in springtime on the western slope with the family. The 11th annual Outdoor Heritage Day at Palisade's Riverband Park features free, fun activities including gold panning, fishing, archery, climbing, firearms safety, boating, wildlife viewing and more. Outdoor Heritage Day will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brew at the Zoo — Pueblo
Enjoy an evening of great beer, live music, games and animals. The 3rd annual Brew at the Zoo runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Pueblo Zoo. The ticket price includes zoo admission and you'll get a commemorative Brew at the Zoo tasting glass too. Tickets are available online at PuebloZoo.org.
Two of Colorado's teams in the Women's Football Alliance collide on Saturday at Denver's North Stadium. Mile High Blaze take on the Colorado Freeze at 7 p.m. Come experience the fast-growing sport of women's full-tackle football. Tickets are available online at ColoradoFreeze.com.
Baby. Animals. That's what the whole family will enjoy at the Centennial Village Museum on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You'll be able to learn about the baby animals that have arrived for the season while meandering the grounds and gardens of the museum. There will also be wagon rides (weather permitting) on Saturday and Sunday. You can learn more at GreeleyMuseums.com.
Hundreds of minerals, rocks, fossils, books, maps and more are on sale Saturday and Sunday at the the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum. The museum is home to one of the state’s two Goodwill moon rocks collected during the Apollo 17 mission and displays mineral, fossil, gemstone, meteorite and historic mining artifact exhibits on two floors. The Mines Geology Museum will be open throughout the sale and admission is free. This event was first published by MileHighontheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
CSU Theatre's Urinetown the Musical — Fort Collins
Presented by Colorado State University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, Urinetown, The Musical begins a two-week run at the University Theatre at the University Center for the Arts. Urinetown is described as a "hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself." In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Performances run from Friday to May 6. Tickets are available online at CSUArtsTickets.com, at the University Center for the Arts ticket office or by phone at 970-491-ARTS.
Georgetown Loop Railroad Opening Day — Georgetown
A Colorado staple begins its 2018 season on Saturday. The Georgetown Loop Railroad offers spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. The railroad's website says the train transports riders back to a "time where the railroad ruled, mining was a way of life and outlaws littered the land." You can purchase tickets online at GeorgetownLoopRR.com.
Colorado Mammoth vs. Toronto Rock — Denver
The Mammoth's final regular season game is Saturday night at Pepsi Center. It's Fan Appreciation Night with a family night ticket package available that comes with four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas all for $76. Tickets are available online at AltitudeTickets.com.
Colorado Rockies Home Run 5K — Denver
Although the Rockies are out of town this weekend, you can still enjoy Coors Field with the Home Run 5K walk or run. The 5K (3.1 miles) course is a scenic trip in downtown and includes a lap around the warning track of Coors Field. You'll get a neat, on-field perspective while racing to a fun post-race party. The run and walk start at 8 a.m. and are open to all ages and skill levels. All registrants receive a t-shirt, bib number and Rockies ticket voucher. There will also be a Kids Fun Run at 10 a.m. which is free for kids 10 and under. Registration is available online.
Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send an email to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
