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. No matter where you live in Colorado, there's a fun adventure waiting for you this weekend.
IRONMAN Boulder — Boulder
The toughest athletes will be in Boulder this weekend to compete in the IRONMAN competition. Athletes will swim 2.4 miles in Boulder Reservoir, bicycle 112 miles and run 26.2 miles. Spectator viewing will be available at the Boulder Reservoir and the finish line in downtown Boulder. Visit Ironman.com for all the details.
Creede Donkey Dash — Creede
The 2nd annual Creede Donkey Dash weekend kicks off on Saturday with the Runoff Runoff marathon, half marathon and 6K races, which follow the scenic headwaters of the Rio Grande and end in Creede. Following the races there will be live music, local beer and food vendors. Next on Saturday is the Donkey Dash on Main Street in front of Basham Park. Weigh-in begins at 11 a.m. and the race begins at 1 p.m. The Creede Donkey Dash will abide by the basic rules of burro racing as established by the Western Pack Burro Association. There will also be a street festival, live music and fun for the whole family. An annual soap box derby will be held on Sunday in downtown. To see Donkey Dash registration details, visit Creede.com.
9Cares Colorado Shares Summer Drive — Across Colorado
On Saturday you can help fill our local food banks in Colorado with the 9Cares Colorado Shares summer drive. Many families in our community lack nutritious food over the summer. We will be collecting non-perishable food donations, as well as clothing items for ARC Thrift Stores, at 9NEWS in Denver from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Donations will also be accepted at many Colorado King Soopers stores on Saturday. Click here to see a list of donation locations.
Buskers, Brews & BBQ — Aurora
The delicious smell of barbeque will fill the air on Saturday at the Buskers, Brews & BBQ event in Aurora. Thirty teams will be competing for the Colorado state championship title in the pork ribs, pork, chicken and beef brisket categories - and festival goers are the beneficiaries. Attendees can purchase BBQ Bucks for $2 in order to sample the savory BBQ. The event also features food trucks, local beer, kids activities, live music and entertainers. Admission and parking are free to Buskers, Brews & BBQ which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday on the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn.
Castle Rock Ducky Derby — Castle Rock
This fun annual event returns to Castle Rock on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features the well known Ducky Derby race where thousands of little rubber duckies race a half mile along Plum Creek. The top three ducks earn cash prize money. The festival, hosted by the Rotary Club of Castle Rock, raises funds for local charities. If you'd like to enter the duck race, one ticket equals one duck and tickets are available online at RotaryClubofCastleRock.org.
Boots, Bulls and Bands — Burlington
Burlington kicks off summer on Saturday with Boots, Bulls and Bands. The event will have live bull riding and live music starting at 7 p.m. at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds. There will be food vendors and a beer garden at the event as well.
Top of the World Rodeo — Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek is home to the 6th annual Top of the World Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday. The festivities begin with a pancake breakfast each morning at the fire station. A rodeo parade begins at 11 a.m. on Bennett Avenue and the rodeo program begins at 1 p.m. There are numerous shuttle locations in Cripple Creek that will take you to the rodeo grounds. To see a list of shuttle locations, view the event schedule or to purchase tickets, visit TopoftheWorldRodeo.com.
Lake Dillon Beer Festival — Dillon
Dillon's Marina Park is the site of Saturday's 2018 Lake Dillon Beer Festival. Now in its 8th year, the festival will show off Colorado's best breweries alongside one of the best views in the state. The festival begins at 1 p.m. with live music and tasty suds. Tickets are just $25 and parking is free. Tickets are available online at TwoParts.com.
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival begins its 2018 season this weekend. The first production of the summer will be Love's Labour's Lost - a "frothy, funny celebration of love and learning." In the comedy, four attractive young men make a pact to swear off romance and focus on academics... just minutes before the four loves of their lives wander by. The Colorado Shakespeare Festival takes place on the CU campus at the picturesque Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre. Tickets start at $20 and are available at CUPresents.org.
A Taste of Puerto Rico Festival — Denver
Get a “taste” of the tropical island of Puerto Rico through its music, culture and food at the Taste of Puerto Rico Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Civic Center Park. Enjoy salsa and merengue competitions, family activities, plenty of food and musical acts. Admission is free and open to all. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
Rocky Mountain Beard Bout 5 — Fort Collins
The Rocky Mountain Beard and Moustache Club will hold its 5th annual beard and moustache competition on Saturday at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins. "Beard Bout 5" will feature some of the finest facial hair from around the country. There will be 12 categories of competition including natural moustache, styled moustache, partial beard, business beard, full beard and many more. The Rocky Mountain Beard and Moustache Club is an all inclusive club that celebrates the love of facial hair. Tickets for Beard Bout 5 are available online.
Summer Art Market — Denver
The Art Students League of Denver hosts the 26th annual Summer Art Market on Saturday and Sunday in the West Washington Park neighborhood. There will be 234 visual art booths, artist demonstrations, kidART programming, live music plus food and beverage vendors. The arts festival will be held between Logan and Sherman Streets between E. 1st and E. 4th Avenues. The Summer Art Market is free and open to the public.
Berkeley Park Art and Music Festival — Denver
Denver’s Berkeley Park plays host to the Berkeley Park Art and Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday. National and local juried artists display and sell their fine arts of jewelry, painting, ceramics, mixed media, painting and more. Enjoy live music by Hazel Miller Band, Band On The Fence, Doc & Kit, AJ Fullerton, Tullis Blues, Colorado Springs Conservatory and more. Lawn chairs and leashed pets are welcome. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
The newest production from the University of Northern Colorado School of Theatre Arts and Dance’s professional summer stock company, Little Theatre of the Rockies, opens this weekend. Xanadu is a hilarious musical adventure about Greek goddesses and roller discos that explores themes about following your dreams despite the limitations set for you by others. Tickets for Xanadu are available online at LittleTheatreRockies.com or by phone at 970-351-2200.
Parker Days Festival — Parker
Parker Days - 'Colorado's Hometown Festival' - is four days of shows, carnival rides, delicious food and more. Located on Mainstreet, Parker Days is loaded with kid-sized fun as well with festival booths, face painting, music, crafts, petting zoo and plenty of kids' carnival rides. Saturday's Parker Days Parade begins at 8:45 a.m.
Sun Drenched Music Fest — Denver
The Sun Drenched Music Fest will take over Denver Beer Co. Canworks’ parking lot in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood on Saturday. The festival, which runs from 2 to 9 p.m., will have live music from Sick Beats featuring Con Brio, The Brevet, The Guestlist, Roka Hueka, All Poets & Heroes. The event also features a bounce house and fun summer beach games. Every ticket sold includes one free beer upon entry. Tickets are available online at DenverBeerCo.com.
Hugo Motor Days — Hugo
Hugo's annual Motor Days gets underway Friday night with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a movie sponsored by Genoa Fire Department. The car show runs Friday to Sunday at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. On Saturday a swap meet will run all day along with vendors and kids activities.
The 35th Annual Colorado Concours d’Elegance & Exotic Sports Car Show is Sunday at Arapahoe Community College. The show will have over 500 cars and motorcycles and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show will benefit the Creative Options for Early Childhood Education Centers of Ability Connection Colorado. On display this year will also be a a rare 1967 Ford GT MK IV which was driven by Mario Andretti in the 1967 24 Hour Le Mans race. There will be plenty of food and drink vendors and live music from MoDaZz Jazz. Tickets are available online at ColoradoConcours.org.
Ridge at 38 Criterium and Brewfest — Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge Cyclery will be the home of Sunday's Ridge at 38 Criterium bike race and Brewfest. The cycling race takes place on a fast, 1.15 mile course in the heart of Wheat Ridge. Participating cyclists ride as many laps of the circuit as possible within the time limit creating lots of action for spectators and athletes. The event also features free festivities including a family-friendly festival with food, live music, vendors, live race commentators, a bounce house and face painting. The Brewfest, which begins at 2 p.m., is just $15 and includes a commemorative cup and four beer tickets.
Glendale Raptors vs. Houston Sabercats — Glendale
The undefeated Glendale Raptors are back in town for a match against the Houston Sabercats. The match is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at Infinity Park. The Raptors are coming off a 47-10 road victory in New Orleans and are 5-0 in the inaugural season of Major League Rugby. Tickets are available online at GlendaleRaptors.com.
USA Men's Rugby vs. Russia — Commerce City
International rugby will take place in Colorado this weekend as well. The USA Eagles will compete against Russia on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The U.S. team is currently undefeated and ranked at No. 15 in the world. The team recently made history by winning the 2018 America's Rugby Championship for the second consecutive year. Several of the USA Eagles also play for the Glendale Raptors. Tickets are available online at AXS.com.
Diesels on the Mountain — Morrison
It will be a diesel-powered Saturday at Bandimere Speedway with NHRDA's Diesels on the Mountain. The event features diesel drag racing, sled pulling, show n' shine, a dyno competition and a burnout contest. Spectator gates open at 9 a.m. and drag racing begins at 10 a.m. Tickets are for Diesels on the Mountain are available online.
Mystic Mermaids Breakfast — Denver
Have you ever wanted to eat breakfast with mermaids? Well, Saturday you can do just that at Denver's Downtown Aquarium. The Mystic Mermaids Breakfast is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. During the event guests can take photos and get autographs from the mermaids and enjoy a delicious Under the Sea breakfast. Tickets can be reserved by calling 303-561-4450.
125th Anniversary of St. Anthony Hospital — Lakewood
Lakewood's St. Anthony Hospital is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a community event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration features a vintage photo booth, go karts, a trackless train, rock climbing wall, frontier games, adoptable pets from Denver Dumb Friends League and food truck vendors. A Flight For Life helicopter and ambulance will be on hand for touring too. St. Anthony Hospital is located at 11600 West 2nd Place near 6th and Kipling.
Erie Brewfest — Erie
The 6th annual Erie Brewfest will be held Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Erie. You'll be able to enjoy craft beers from several local breweries while enjoying live music from Half Pint & the Growlers and Bailout. Downtown restaurants and event food trucks will provide the grub. Tickets are $35 online or $45 on site.
Creatures of Light — Denver
This is the final weekend to check out the 'Creatures of Light' exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The exhibit, which is included in museum admission, examines some of the most magical, wondrous and extraordinary creatures and phenomena in the natural world. The final day to see Creatures of Light is Sunday, June 10. Tickets to to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are available online at DMNS.org.
What happens when you mix a warm summer afternoon, ice-cold draft beer, and some fun, funky music? You get the South Pearl Street Music & Beer Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, the festival features six bands including local favorites That Damn Sasquatch, Ain’t No Disco, Tivoli Club Brass Band, DJ Williams and Shots Fired, the “Ragin’ Cajun” Doug Kershaw and headliner Jon Cleary. Gates open at 1 p.m., with the first band taking the stage at 2 p.m. Admission is $8 when purchased in advance here; $10 at the gate. This event was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com. For more local deals and discounts go to MileHighontheCheap.com.
The boys in purple are back in town this weekend for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks beginning Friday. The game on Saturday has an earlier start time of 5:15 p.m. with all kids who attend receiving a Play Ball Celebration Day wristband. All kids who see the Rockies on Sunday will receive a Junior Fire Marshall Fire Helmet. Rockies tickets can be purchased online at Rockies.com/tickets or at the Coors Field box office.
Ride the Rockies — Across Colorado
The six-day, 418-mile long Ride the Rockies begins Saturday with a Prologue Ride from Breckenridge to Fairplay. Each day of the ride there will be a post ride party at race headquarters. The entertainment site will be at Breckenridge Rec Center on Saturday and in Edwards on Sunday. The beer garden and entertainment zone will be open from approximately noon to 9 p.m. in each host community. Ride the Rockies continues through Friday, June 15 when it arrives back in Breckenridge. Visit RidetheRockies.com to see a complete schedule.
Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send an email to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
