KUSA — 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. Check out one of these fun events across Colorado this weekend:
Cherry Creek Arts Festival — Denver
A Colorado tradition returns this weekend at Denver's Cherry Creek North Shopping District. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is a award-winning celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts. Admission is free to the festival which is held on the streets between Clayton and Steele Streets, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues. The arts festival opens at 10 a.m. each day this weekend. Vendors will be ready with food, drink and world-class art while the festival provides a beer garden and live music. All the festival information you need to know is at CherryCreekArtsFestival.org.
Cattlemen’s Days — Gunnison
The Gunnison Valley has celebrated its western way of life for 118 years with Cattlemen's Days. Selected by American Cowboy magazine as one of the best western events in the country, Cattlemen's Days honors ranching culture with the "Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos." Running from Friday to Sunday, July 16, there is something for everyone at Cattlemen's Days which begins with a 4-H Horse Show on Friday, a Ranch Rodeo on Saturday and Open Horse Show on Sunday. A complete schedule of the 11-day western celebration is available at CattlemensDays.com.
Range Call — Meeker
The 133rd Annual Range Call will be held this weekend in Meeker. The rodeo, which began in 1885, is the "oldest annual rodeo in Colorado." There will be art and food vendors in downtown Meeker from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A CPRA rodeo is scheduled for Friday evening at the RBC Fairgrounds followed by a comedy show. Saturday night's main event is a concert with country music star Clint Black at 7 p.m. with a barn dance post-show. For Clint Black tickets and a complete Range Call schedule, visit MeekerRangeCall.com.
Music in the Mountains — Durango
Durango has been home to one of the premiere classical music festivals in the country for over 30 years. Music in the Mountains kicks off this weekend with a World Music Concert, featuring the indie-folk band The Hunts, scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bayfield Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at MusicintheMountains.com. The music festival has free and ticketed rehearsals, lectures and concerts scheduled through July 29.
Jurassic Tour — Loveland
Dinosaurs are invading The Ranch-Larimer County Fairgrounds this weekend! The Jurassic Tour features moving, breathing and walking dinosaurs including the T-Rex, Spinosaurus and 50 more. The massive display of realistic giant dinosaurs also includes dinosaur babies, which kids can pet and interact with. There will also be a fossil dig where young paleontologists can dig for ancient bones plus bounce houses, face painting and more. Tickets are available online at JurassicTour.com.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes — Colorado Springs
There's nothing like the sights and smells of a baseball game in the summer. The Colorado Springs Sky Sox continue their homestand this weekend with a series against the New Orleans Baby Cakes. Friday night's game also features a post-game fireworks show and Sunday afternoon's game is a 50-cent hot dog game. The Sky Sox, the Triple A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, play their home games at Security Service Field on the northeast side of Colorado Springs. Avoid the lines and get your tickets ahead of time at MiLB.com.
Grand Junction Rockies vs. Ogden Raptors — Grand Junction
The Grand Junction Rockies are back at Suplizio Field this weekend for a three-game series against the Ogden Raptors. A fireworks show is scheduled to take place after Friday night's game and Saturday's game includes a baseball giveaway. Tickets to Grand Junction Rockies games are available online at MiLB.com.
High Country Stampede Rodeo — Fraser
The High Country Stampede Rodeo begins its 35th rodeo season this Saturday night. This week's rodeo theme is "Celebrating the 4th of July," so be sure to wear red, white and blue. The rodeo features a slack competition at noon, a junior rodeo at 3 p.m. and the main rodeo at 7 p.m. The rodeo also features delicious food options at the Chuck Wagon Grill which will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. The 2018 High Country Stampede Rodeo continues Saturday nights through August 18 with tickets available at gate.
Dumb Friends League: Catwalk — Denver
Tasting beer samples in support of Colorado cats? Count us in! Dumb Friends League is hosting "Catwalk" on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at their Quebec Street shelter. This 21-and-older event is $20 (or $10 for a designated driver) and includes beer pairing booths with tastings and info about their cat programs, music, food trucks, beer garden, a free sample of cat food for your feline as well as a merch booth and beer glass for purchase. For more information and tickets, head to DDFL.org.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival — Crested Butte
The 32nd Annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival begins Friday and runs for 10 days through July 15. The festival offers over 200 opportunities for hiking and walking for all stamina levels, photography and art workshops, birding and butterfly outings, geology, geobotany, garden tours, cooking classes and backcountry Jeep tours. The festival's headquarters are located at the Old Historic Train Depot at 716 Elk Avenue. To learn more about the festival or to register for one of the many offerings, head to CrestedButteWildflowerFestival.com.
Denver Queen City Horse Show — Denver
The Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club and the Colorado Saddlebred Horse Association are bringing out the best ideas of both clubs for an innovative and enjoyable show at the National Western Complex this weekend. This is the 50th anniversary of the Denver Queen City Horse Show. The horse show offers two show performances daily Friday to Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The horse show attracts World Class American Saddlebred Horses, Peruvian, Arabians, Morgans, and various other breeds. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights will open with a grand entry presentation by the Westernaires.
Blues Under the Bridge — Colorado Springs
The 12th Annual Blues Under the Bridge is staged in a fun and unique venue: under the Colorado Avenue bridge in downtown Colorado Springs. The festival lineup on Saturday includes Vegan Wolf, Grant Sabin & The Juke Joint Highball, Kerry Pastine & The Crime Scene, Chris Thomas King Band and the headliner Los Lobos. Tickets are available at BluesUnderTheBridge.com. On Friday a Pre-Festival Party will feature Grammy Award-winning blues artist Chris Thomas King at the Gold Room in downtown Colorado Springs.
The Colorado Symphony presents "Mozart Under Moonlight" at the Arvada Center for one-night-only. Conductor Christopher Dragon leads the orchestra during the concert Friday night which celebrates the most revered composer of all time. Covered as well as lawn seats are available for the performance which begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at ArvadaCenter.org.
Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival — Breckenridge
The 13th Annual Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival will take place on Saturday outside at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center. The beer festival will feature over 40 breweries for tastings, live music, a VIP area and great food and retail vendors and draws a wide range of people from beer aficionados to families. The Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. Unlimited tasting, VIP experience, general admission and designated driver tickets are available online.
Down to Earth Days — Brighton
The Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton will be home to the 2nd Annual Down to Earth Days car show on Sunday. This huge show will award trophies in 14 categories including best Subaru, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Euro, Unique / Creative, Static, Bagged, Wagon, Best in Show, KDM, Domestic and best VIP. Down to Earth Days will also include a limbo contest, burnout exhibition, food trucks, vendors, live DJ and giveaways. Tickets and car registration information are available online and kids 12 and under get in free. The car show runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Chivas Guadalajara vs. Club Necaxa — Commerce City
Two of Mexico's best soccer professional clubs will square off on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Chivas Guadalajara from Guadalajara, Jalisco and Club Necaxa from Aguascalientes are scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at AltitudeTickets.com.
LoHi Bazaar BBQ — Denver
Denver's Lower Highlands community can enjoy the LoHi Bazaar BBQ this weekend. Seven blocks of 32nd Ave. between Zuni and Tejon streets will have three days of shopping, music, dancing and food galore. Come ready to shop, as this will be the largest gathering of Denver’s most creative makers in one location. Collaborating with Ole Hickory Pits, DiningOut Magazine Denver/Boulder will be curating the best BBQ the Front Range has to offer. Themed out pop-up bars will serve fun twists on summer cocktails and great local beers. A variety of local talent from classic funk/jam bands to Colorado bluegrass, play all weekend long. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
Garden of the Arts — Manitou Springs
Memorial Park in Manitou Springs will be home to the annual Garden of the Arts this weekend. The art show, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is a celebration of fine visual arts and handcrafted goods. The works of more than 75 artists will be on hand with booths showcasing show painting, sculpting, glasswork, photography, ceramics, woodwork and handcrafted goods. The art show and sale will also include free live music and family fun. Garden of the Arts will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Loveland Museum's Cherry Pie Celebration — Loveland
The Loveland Museum/Gallery will honor Loveland’s longstanding connection with the cherry industry with the annual Cherry Pie Celebration on Saturday from 5 to 8 pm. During the 1920s, Loveland boasted the largest cherry orchard to the west of the Mississippi River and was famous for producing over $1 million in cherries every year. This free celebration will take place in Peters Park next to the Loveland Museum. There will be live music, vendor booths, family-friendly activities, a Art of the Tart Cherry Pie Contest as well as pie, ice cream and drinks for sale. Admission to the Cherry Pie Celebration is free for all. For more information, visit LovelandMuseumGallery.org.
Summer Farmers' Markets — Across Colorado
Nothing says summer quite like a Farmers’ Market. Where else can you greet your local farmer, find delicious deals on produce, and enjoy one of our 300 days of sunshine? You can find a market for nearly every day of the week. Our friends at Mile High on the Cheap have compiled a list of Denver area summer farmers' markets and there are dozens more across the Centennial State. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
Five R Trucks' Truck Fest — Morrison
The largest all-truck event in the Rockies is this Sunday at Bandimere Speedway. The Truck Fest event will include drag racing, ATVs, a large vendor midway, exhibition and much more. Race classes for Sunday's event include big rig, diesel pickup, heads-up diesel, ATV, race truck, 2WD street and 4x4 street. Several specialty awards will be given out including Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Graphics, Best Engine, Best 4WD Suspension and Best 2WD Suspension. For tickets and racer information, visit Bandimere.com/TruckFest.
Walk, Run & Wag 5K — Denver
Leash up the pooch for a dog-friendly 5K to support the Hearing Dogs in training. The Walk, Run & Wag 5K will take place Saturday at 8 a.m. at Denver's Sloan Lake. The Hearing Dog organization trains dogs to assist persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, with and without multiple disabilities, at no cost to the recipient. Vendors including Basted Egg Food Truck and Bean Machine Coffee will open for business at Sloan Lake starting at 7. Race registration, which includes a t-shirt and goodie-bag, is available online.
Crested Butte Music Festival — Crested Butte
The Crested Butte Music Festival is now underway with 35 concerts and performances scheduled through August 11. The festival includes symphony, chamber, family music, opera and gypsy jazz performances. This weekend, "Cabaret Bleu: Crested Butte Opera Studio" will take place on Friday, Bonnie & the Clydes will play on Saturday and "BEERoque: Before Bach" is on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts box office or online at CrestedButteMusicFestival.org.
Breckenridge July Art Festival — Breckenridge
Now in it's 35th year, the Breckenridge July Art Festival was ranked No. 59 in Sunshine Artist's top 200 fine art festivals in 2017. The art festival will feature over 100 artists from around the country presenting their ceramics, mixed media, fiber, jewelry, painting, wood, glass, sculpture and more. The Breckenridge July Art Festival runs from Friday to Sunday at Main Street Station and The Village at Breckenridge, on the corner of South Main Street and Park Avenue and admission is free.
Book of Mormon — Denver
This is the final weekend to see The Book of Mormon in Denver. The outrageous musical comedy from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and Frozen composer Robert Lopez won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The production, which follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word, is hilarious and heartfelt. The Book of Mormon will play at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at DenverCenter.org.
Cruisin' the Gods — Colorado Springs
A free car show will be held Saturday at Bird Dog BBQ's Centennial Blvd. location in Colorado Springs. Cruisin' the Gods runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The car show is a cruise in/out event in which the classic cars will also cruise around the majestic Garden of the Gods. No registration is required to participate, just bring your classic car or come view the cars free. Bird Dog BBQ will be serving their mouth-watering barbeque all day including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey and sausage.
City Park Jazz Summer Concert — Denver
For more than 125 years jazz music has wafted across Denver’s City Park. This summer is no exception with City Park Jazz, with La Pompe Jazz & Friends performing this Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bandstand by City Park Pavilion on Ferril Lake. The concert is free with about 5,000 jazz fans attending each performance. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
Hootenanny: BreckBrew's 28th Anniversary — Littleton
Breckenridge Brewing is hosting its 28th anniversary celebration on Saturday with live music, craft beer and barbeque. There will be two stages with national and local bands. Saturday's Hootenanny runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. General admission tickets are available at BreckBrew.com.
Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send an email to alexander.kirk@9news.com. Have a great weekend!
