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9Things to do in Colorado this weekend: August 24-26

Colorado is known for terrific festivals, concerts, sporting events and the arts. Celebrate the season this weekend by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special.
Credit: Colorado State Fair

Our state's largest summer fair is here: the Colorado State Fair opens Friday for ten days of family-friendly fun. The college football season begins Saturday in Fort Collins. Artists, authors and celebrities are visiting for two comic cons happening this weekend.

Check out one of these fairs, festivals, concerts, plays and sporting events across Colorado this weekend:

Credit: Colorado State Fair

Colorado State Fair — Pueblo

The largest summer event in Colorado is here! The Colorado State Fair opens Friday in Pueblo with a carnival, 4-H exhibits, agricultural competitions, tractor pulls, live music performances, rodeos, bake offs and amazing food options. The State Fair Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday in Downtown Pueblo. The Oak Ridge Boys will be live in concert Friday night and Neal McCoy on Saturday. Held at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, the Colorado State Fair runs through September 3rd with scheduled performances by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Larry the Cable Guy and Josh Gracin, plus there will be monster trucks and a demolition derby. See the full fair schedule at ColoradoStateFair.com.

Credit: Loveland Chamber

Loveland Corn Roast Festival — Loveland

Loveland's oldest festival returns this weekend. The Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival includes corn shucking competitions, live music, beer, and all the free, non-GMO Colorado corn you can eat. A parade and cornhole tournament are scheduled for Saturday. The Corn Roast takes place Friday and Saturday in Downtown Loveland along 4th Street.

Credit: Colorado Springs Comic Con

Colorado Springs Comic Con — Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Comic Con returns this weekend bigger and better than ever. The comic con runs Friday to Saturday at Chapel Hills Mall Event Center in Colorado Springs with dozens of artists, authors and stars of television and film. There are scheduled appearances by stars of The Walking Dead, Harry Potter, Sons of Anarchy, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and more. Wrestling fans will be able to snag a photo with Rey Mysterio, Lita and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. Tickets can be found at CSComicCon.com.

Credit: Fort Collins Comic Con

Fort Collins Comic Con — Fort Collins

Fort Collins Comic Con also is happening this weekend with two days of panels, classes, hands-on demos, open forums, lectures and screenings about movies, television, comics and books. Over 140 artists, writers, creators and vendors will be on hand. Proceeds from the event benefit Poudre River Public Library District. Fort Collins Comic Con will be held Saturday and Sunday at Northside Aztlan Community Center. Badges (tickets) are at FocoComicCon.com.

Credit: Thinkstock

Bruises & Brews Beerfest — Glendale

Rugby fans and beer aficionados will join forces for the Bruises & Brews Beerfest this weekend at Infinity Park. The event takes place Friday and Saturday with different craft breweries, hard ciders and distilleries featured each day. Admission to the beerfest includes a ticket RugbyTown 7s Tournament, a commemorative beer tasting mug, unlimited tastings, access to food vendors and free parking. Get your tickets at GlendaleBeerFest.com.

Credit: Seth McConnell

RugbyTown 7s Tournament — Glendale

Glendale's annual rugby tournament is bigger and better than ever. Twenty top-tier national and international teams will compete for a $10,000 winner-take-all purse. The rugby tournament takes place Friday to Sunday at Infinity Park. You can purchase tournament tickets separately or combined with the Bruises & Brews Beerfest. Tickets are available now at RugbyTown7s.com.

Credit: Colorado Cider Circus

Colorado Cider & Beer Circus — Copper Mountain

Cider loves will converge at Copper Mountain Resort on Saturday. Cider Circus will have delicious cider and craft beer options as well as music from Wash Park with performances by Salida Circus & Tent Show Kings. Cider Circus runs from noon to 6 p.m. and tickets are available online.

Credit: City of Lakewood

Party on the Plaza — Lakewood

Bid summer farewell with this free celebration at Lakewood's Civic Center Plaza. Party on the Plaza will feature music, buskers, outdoor games and kids-friendly activities including face painting, balloon animals and more with food, wine and beer available for purchase. Party on the Plaza runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Credit: Thinkstock

Grapes & Grass Festival — Boulder

Downtown Boulder will be home to this wine and bluegrass festival on Friday and Saturday. Held at the historic Highland City Club on the banks of Boulder Creek, lush gardens and trees create the perfect setting for an end of summer festival. Arthur Lee Land's Twang is Dead, Twang is Salmon with Drew Emmitt & Andy Thorn, The Mighty Pines, Ragged Union, Wood Belly, Lonesome Days, Timber!, Dirk Quinn Band, Chunky Whiskey and more are scheduled to perform. Single and two day passes and VIP experience tickets are available online.

Credit: Thinkstock

Local Harvest Festival — Alamosa

The 6th Annual Local Harvest Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there will be farmers' market tours, a local farm tour, a farm-to-barbeque dinner with James Beard Award winner Adrian Miller and more. Sunday's Local Harvest Festival at Alamosa's Rio Grande Farm Park runs from noon to 8 p.m. with educational experiences, awesome local foods, beer and wine. For festival details, visit SLVLocalFoods.org.

Credit: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Colorado State Rams vs. Hawaii — Fort Collins

The Colorado State Rams kick off the college football season in the Centennial State this Saturday. The Rams will start their 2018 campaign against Mountain West foe Hawaii. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Canvas Stadium. Rams fans can get their tickets here.

Credit: Universal Pictures

Splash-In Movie & Festival — Fort Collins

The Poudre Heritage Alliance and Blue Federal Credit Union are hosting an evening of fun, learning and saving lives Friday at Horsetooth Reservoir. The festival begins at 6 p.m. with water rescue demonstrations, cornhole, henna tattoos, face painting, food trucks and live music. At dusk there will be a screening of the first summer blockbuster: Jaws. The first annual Slash-In Festival is free while tickets to Jaws are available online.

Credit: The Tribune/University of Northern Colorado

Family Fest & Bear’s Bash — Greeley

The Family Fest & Bear's Bash runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at UNC's Nottingham Field. The family-friendly event features face painting, a mini putting green, photo booths, bounce houses, mini cheer clinic, football skills station, games, basketball, UNC student athlete autographs, Klawz the Mascot and more. Food and product vendors will be on hand for the free celebration of the Weld County and University of Northern Colorado community.

Credit: GWN Dragon Boat

Colorado Springs International Dragon Boat Festival — Colorado Springs

Chinese culture, sport, food and entertainment will come together at Saturday's Colorado Springs International Dragon Boat Festival. The event at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park is a full day of dragon boat races and festival food and wellness vendors. Paddlers, outdoor enthusiasts and families are invited to spend a fun-filled, summer day experiencing an ancient sport and nature.

Credit: Colorado Greyhawks

Colorado Grayhawks vs. South Bay Patriots — Parker

The Colorado Greyhawks, a semi-pro football team, are the 2018 Colorado Football Association Champions. The team will be playing in its third national championship game on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Echo Park Stadium in Parker. The Greyhawks will clash against the South Bay Patriots of California. Tickets for the championship game are available at the stadium for $10. Kids under age six are free. Visit ColoradoGreyhawks.com for more information.

Credit: Trinidaddio Blues Fest

Trinidaddio Blues Fest — Trinidad

Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Kenny Neal, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Vanessa Collier, Los Albuquerque Blues Connection, Zakk DeBono & the Broken Circle are among the performers at the 2018 Trinidaddio Blues Fest. The fest runs from noon to 9 p.m. at Central Park on Saturday. A special Prefest Party (with free admission) takes place Friday at Main & Commercial with Vanessa Colliers, The Tri City Trio and more. Tickets for Saturday's festival can be found at TrinidaddioBluesFest.com.

Credit: James DeWalt Photography

Nederland Music and Arts Festival — Nederland

The 20th Annual NedFest is a three-day outdoor music and arts festival in beautiful Nederland. This year's lineup includes Electric Hot Tuna with Steve Kimock, Jorma Kaukonen, Melvin Seals and JGB, Sweet Lillies with Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, Fareed Haque and His Funk Bros., Head for the Hills, Flash Mountain Flood, The Workshy, 300 Days, New Family Dog, Electric Toast, The Alcapones and more. NedFest is kid and family-friendly with kids 12 and under free with an adult, a kids' tent and activities. The Nederland Music & Arts Festival runs from Friday to Sunday on the Jeff Guercio Memorial Baseball Field next to Barker Reservoir with tickets available at NedFest.org.

Credit: Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra

An Evening Under The Stars — Grand Junction

The 26th Annual Evening Under The Stars is a free outdoor concert at beautiful Sherwood Park. The Grand Junction Centennial Band and the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra will be performing while brats and sauerkraut are served by members of the Grand Junction Symphony Guild. Food and drinks begin at 5:30 p.m. and music at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Credit: Denver Modernism Show

Denver Modernism Show — Denver

The Denver Modernism Show features dozens of vendors from around the county selling a wide variety of vintage and contemporary mid-century, art deco, retro, pop & modernist furnishings, artwork and objects. There will also be a vintage mobile home display, a juried art gallery, car show on Sunday, live entertainment, lectures and more. The event runs Friday through Sunday at the National Western Complex. Friday's $20 admission includes a weekend pass, while tickets are $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets and a full schedule can be found at DenverModernism.com.

Credit: Breckenridge Hogfest

Breckenridge Hogfest — Breckenridge

"Bacon is one of the most loved foods in the universe and the route to all things swine and divine. Add the quintessential American liquor, bourbon: mind blown," says organizers of the Breckenridge Hogfest. Bacon and bourbon will come together at this three-day festival at Main Street Station. There will be pork samples, premium whiskeys, single malt scotches and barrel-aged spirits with live music all at the base of Peak 9. Tickets for Breckenridge Hogfest, which runs Friday to Sunday, are available online.

Credit: High Plains Comedy Festival

High Plains Comedy Festival — Denver

The High Plains Comedy Festival is back for a sixth year. The festival, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, features two headlining shows at the Paramount Theatre: David Cross on Friday and How Did This Get Made with Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas and June Diane Raphael. More than 100 funny people are schedule to perform. See the full performance lineup and get tickets at HighPlainsComedyFestival.com.

Credit: Polo Fest

PoloFest — Sedalia

PoloFest is an outdoor summer fest that combines live music and polo to raise money for the Equine Partnership Program. There will be live music from Phantogram, Quinn XCII and more and the world's top players and horses will be competing in matches. PoloFest will be held from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Denver Polo Club. AXS.com is the place for PoloFest tickets.

Credit: Thinkstock

Runapalooza — Arvada

The 6th Annual Runapalooza on Saturday will feature 1M, 5K, 10K and half marathon courses for runners of all ability levels. The courses from Apex Center will run west along Ralston Creek Trail through Arvada's open spaces and golf course communities. Race registration is available online.

Credit: Winter Park & Fraser Chamber

Country at the Park — Winter Park

Country music stars Justin Moore and Easton Corbin will be taking the stage in downtown Winter Park on Saturday. Jason McNabb & The Reign will also be performing at the Country at the Park event which kicks off at noon at the Rendezvous Event Center. Country at the Park tickets can be purchased at AltitudeTickets.com.

Credit: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Cops & Classics Car Show — Golden

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is hosting its 2nd Annual Cops & Classics Car Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to come see classic cars, enjoy food, prizes and K9 demonstrations, while getting to know their deputies. Admission is free to the car show, held at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Credit: New Belgium Brewing

Tour de Fat — Denver

New Belgium Brewing will bring its traveling beer, music and bicycle festival to downtown Denver on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Tour de Fat aims to raise money for local non-profits while celebrating bicycles and offering entertainment by comedians and musicians. The festival takes place at Sculpture Park next to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online.

Credit: Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival

Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival — Broomfield

Saturday's Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival will let attendees mingle with the most prominent cigar manufacturers and cigar celebrities from around the world. The festival, held at Omni Interlocken Hotels, offers the latest in premium cigars, hand-crafted brews, small batch spirits and unique wine. Each ticket purchase comes with an official festival bag (with over 20 premium cigars samples, cutter, lighter, festival glass, t-shirt and drink tickets) and a free meal. Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival tickets are available online.

Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals — Denver

There is still time to catch a game this summer at majestic Coors Field. The Rockies will continue their homestand with a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend. Friday night's game will have a Charlie Blackmon Beard Beanie giveaway and cooler bags will be dispersed Saturday. Fans who attend on Sunday can watch the baseball classic The Sandlot at the ballpark. Get your Rox tickets at Rockies.com/Tickets.

Credit: Todd Bennett; Grand Junction Rockies

Grand Junction Rockies vs. Idaho Falls Chukars — Grand Junction

The Grand Junction Rockies begin their final weekend with home games on Saturday. The Rockies will play a four-game series through Tuesday against the Idaho Falls Chukars. The Grand Junction Rockies, the rookie affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play at Suplizio Field. MiLB.com is your source for Grand Junction Rockies tickets.

Credit: Colorado Buffaloes‎

Colorado Football Kickoff Luncheon — Boulder

The 30th Annual Boulder Chamber Colorado Football Kickoff Luncheon arrives on Friday. Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre, Athletic Director Rick George and the entire 2018 football team will be at Balch Fieldhouse on the CU campus for the noon luncheon. CU mascot Ralphie and the Handler's will be in the Balch Fieldhouse Plaza beginning at 11 a.m. for photographs. Luncheon registration is available online.

Credit: Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder — Aspen Snowmass

The sprawling course at Tough Mudder Colorado 2018 includes the biggest elevation gain in North America. The course is 10 miles long and features 20 obstacles. Tough Mudder will take place Saturday and Sunday in Snowmass Village. Registration can be completed at ToughMudder.com.

Credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake — Commerce City

The Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake will begin the 2018 battle for the Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday night. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. AltitudeTickets.com is your source for Colorado Rapids tickets.

Credit: México en el Corazón

México en el Corazón — Denver

México en el Corazón, a free community concert showcasing traditional dance and music from Mexico, will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Boettcher Concert Hall. The show presents authentic Mexican culture, song, dance and folklore and features a thirteen piece band and over a dozen dancers with singers. The concert is free, but tickets are required for admission and are available online.

Credit: Thinkstock

Colorado Springs Wine Festival — Colorado Springs

Wine aficionados, rejoice! Saturday's Colorado Springs Wine Festival will offer tastings from The Wine Gallery, Springs Creek Winery, Mountain Spirits Winery, and Brisol Brew. There will be food from Picnic Basket Catering, Patty Jewett Catering, and Shri Ganesh. With a silent auction, dancers and live music from Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, proceeds from the event will help provide scholarships at Colorado Springs Dance Theatre. Get your tickets at CSDance.org.

Credit: Thinkstock

Affordable Arts Festival — Littleton

The annual Affordable Arts Festival is unlike any arts fest you have attended – all of the art is priced at $100 or less. It takes place outdoors on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arapahoe Community College. This is the Black Friday of art sales with more than 160 Colorado and national artists selling their works in a variety of mediums at amazing prices. Admission is $10 with proceeds going to the Arapahoe Community College scholarship program. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighOnTheCheap.com.

Credit: Call to Arms Brewing Company

Summer Pop-Up Market — Denver

Call to Arms Brewing Company will host a collection of Denver's most unique local vendors from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday for a Summer Pop-Up Market. Come hungry because La Crêpe à Papa will be serving up delicious crepes all day long. Call to Arms Brewing Company is located at 4526 Tennyson St.

Credit: Denver Parade of Homes

Denver Parade of Homes — Denver Area

The 2018 Parade of Homes features 75 newly-designed and custom homes all over the greater metro area open to the public and free on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through August 26. Homes range from luxury show homes to affordably priced houses, from innovative to elegant located in neighborhoods throughout metro Denver – and they’re all new and all for sale. Designers have decorated these models to give visitors an idea of their possibilities. Some people visit with an eye to buy, while others just love to look and get decorating ideas for their own homes. The Parade’s website again features a map and an online tour planner to help make the best use of your Parade of Homes time. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighOnTheCheap.com.

Credit: Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue

Wine & Whiskers Benefit — Denver

Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue will hold its 8th Annual Wine & Whiskers Benefit this Saturday. Enjoy wine tasting, a silent auction, browse wine for sale and enjoy RevneD BBQ Food Truck items for a good cause. Each ticket comes with a BBQ slider and side. Wine & Whiskers Benefit runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bonacquisti Wine Company. Get your tickets at SquareUp.com.

Credit: Thinkstock

San Juan Brewfest — Durango

The San Juan Brewfest is back for a 20th year at Buckley Field in Historic Downtown Durango. The Brewfest is a full day of fun with 50 breweries offering over 100 beers, plus live music all day. The event is for adults over 21 only. Tickets for San Juan Brewest, which benefits United Way of Southwest Colorado, can be bought at SanJuanBrewfest.com.

Credit: adobe.stock.com

Clear Creek County Festival — Idaho Springs

Saturday's Clear Creek County Festival is a family-friendly event with a bounce house, obstacle course, dunk tank, music, prize giveaways and more. Community First Responders will also be on hand with ambulance tours, Flight for Life helicopter tours, law enforcement demonstrations and firetruck tours. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. a the Idaho Springs Baseball Fields.

Credit: AXS

Dave Matthews Band — Greenwood Village

There won't be much "Space Between" the Dave Matthews Band concerts at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre this weekend: the band is set to perform Friday and Sunday in Greenwood Village. Each ticket sold comes with a copy of Dave Matthews Band's album Come Tomorrow. Tickets are sold through AXS.com.

Credit: Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets 5K: Run to the Rim — Denver

The 3rd Annual Denver Nuggets 5K race arrives Sunday. The race route begins at Pepsi Center and goes through Auraria Campus before finishing with a post-race festival. The 5K run/walk will start at 9 a.m. and is for all ages and fitness levels. Denver Nuggets Super Mascot Rocky will lead off the race and the Nuggets Dances, the Skyline Drumline and Dunk Squad will also be on hand. Register online here.

Credit: Polish Food Festival

Polish Food Festival — Denver

The 2018 Polish Food Festival features delicious food options including Polish pierogi, gołąbki, hunter stew, potato pancakes, kiełbas, kaszanka and more, plus Polish beer and pastries. There will also be live music from Jurek Kamiński and Anna Janik (with sons) as well as a children's playground. The Polish Food Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at Saint Joseph Polish at 517 E. 46th Ave.

Credit: Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos Carne Asada — Longmont

The Denver Broncos are holding an event for their fans in Longmont on Sunday. The Carne Asada is a traveling fan fest with music, Broncos cheerleaders, Miles the Mascot, Broncos alumni, delicious food and prize giveaways. The first 500 fans at the event will receive free food and drinks. Denver Broncos Carne Asada runs from noon to 2 p.m. at 5th Ave. and Main St.

Credit: Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Gears & Beers Festival — Mesa

Powderhorn Mountain Resort's Gears & Beers arrives Saturday starting at 11 a.m. There will be live music by Zac Grant Trio and Tim + Richard, multiple beer vendors, volleyball, a cornhole tournament and opportunities for biking throughout the bike park. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Credit: Swim Across America

Denver Open Water Swim — Littleton

Swimmers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the inaugural Denver Open Water Swim at Chatfield Reservoir on Sunday. Swimmers can choose to participate in half mile, 1 mile, 5K or family-friendly Balloon Splash distances. All the proceeds from the event go to Children's Hospital Colorado for Cancer Research & Blood Disorders. Registration, donation and volunteer information can be found at SwimAcrossAmerica.org.

Credit: Civic Center Conservancy

Civic Center Fit Fest — Denver

Some of Denver's best local instructors and studios will be pushing attendees to sweat, sweat, sweat at the Civic Center Fit Fest. Civic Center SWEATS uses SoundOff Colorado headphone technology. Afterwards there will be food and drinks available in a vendor village. The exercise event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in Downtown Denver. Tickets can be acquired online.

Credit: Old Town Museum

Wild West Dinner Theatre — Burlington

The Wild West Dinner Theatre in Burlington is true Colorado entertainment. Each performance of this popular show includes a 30-40 minute melodrama production, live authentic gunfight, western dinner with all the trimmings and dessert. Showtimes are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Longhorn Saloon of the Old Town Museum. Call 719-346-8404 to reserve your spot.

Credit: Headwaters Music Festival

Headwaters Music Festival — Creede

The 3rd Annual Headwaters Music Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Ball Field in Creede. Saturday's lineup includes Thom Shepard, Maggie Rains & The Crooked Keys, Victor & Penny, Bittersweet Highway, Rally Round, and The 4th Infantry Band. Coley McCabe & Thom Shepard, Moors & McCumber, Mito De Soto, and Bo DePena are scheduled for Sunday. Single or two day tickets can be found at HeadwatersMusicFestival.com.

Credit: Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Vietgone — Denver

The newest comedy at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts opens this Friday. Vietgone is the story of two refugees forced to leave Vietnam at the height of the war. When they find themselves at a relocation camp in Arkansas, they face a weird new world together. Vietgone is an "emotional ride for an adventure that hums with excitement as it hops across time and around the globe through the highs and lows of love." Vietgone plays the Ricketson Theatre through September 30. Tickets are available through DenverCenter.org.

Credit: Anheuser-Busch

Budweiser Reserve Copper Lager Release Party — Fort Collins

You can be among the first to try Budweiser's newest creation at a release party Saturday. The soon-to-be released "Budweiser Reserve Copper Lager" is a collaboration between Budweiser and Jim Beam. The party will be held at The Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch's Fort Collins brewery from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music from South to Cedars from 1 to 3 p.m. Tickets, which include admission, a buffet meal and two beers, can be purchased online.

Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.

Have a magical weekend!

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