COLORADO, USA — Colorado has an exciting weekend ahead with the home opener of the newly-renamed Colorado Raptors and the debut of the Downtown Open rail jam event in downtown Denver.
Several annual Denver traditions are also back this weekend including the Colorado Garden & Home Show, Denver Travel & Adventure Show, and Denver FamilyFest. Ahead of Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras celebrations are planned in Manitou Springs, Steamboat Springs and Frisco this weekend.
Colorado will certainly enjoy winter inside and out this February weekend. With more than a dozen festivals, expos, performances and events, there's an adventure awaiting you in all corners of the Centennial State.
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DENVER — The 1st annual Downtown Rail Jam will be held Saturday at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. The street-style rail jam event, open to all ages, will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hosted by Jack Mitrani, there will be ski and snowboard events, music, beer, and food.
GLENDALE — The 2020 home opener of the Colorado Raptors takes place Saturday afternoon at Glendale’s Infinity Park. The Raptors host NOLA Gold at 4 p.m. The Fan Zone at Infinity Park opens at 3 p.m. with delicious food and beer vendors and knit raptor beanies will be distributed at the gate. Tickets are sold at ColoradoRaptors.com.
DENVER — The 61st annual Colorado Garden & Home Show opens on Saturday at the Colorado Convention Center. The Rocky Mountain region’s largest and oldest consumer garden and home improvement show west of the Mississippi will feature 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, more than an acre of flowering gardens, and more than 1,400 booths, representing more than 650 companies from 25 states and Canada. The show runs through Sunday, March 1. Tickets and more information can be found at ColoradoGardenFoundation.org.
DENVER — Denver FamilyFest is Denver’s parent, baby and kids' festival. The festival takes place Saturday at the National Western Complex from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be bounce houses, stage presentations, interactive activities, creative stations, entertainment, face painting, puzzle-making, games and more. All activities are included with admission, which is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for kids. Denver FamilyFest tickets can be purchased online.
DENVER — “America’s Favorite Travel Show” returns to the Colorado Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. At the Travel & Adventure Show, guests can explore hundreds of vacation options, learn about new destinations around the globe, plan face-to-face with hundreds of travel experts, meet travel celebrities Josh Gates, Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer and Cheryl Strayed, attend dozens of educational seminars and enjoy show-only travel discounts. To see a complete event schedule or to purchase tickets, visit TravelShows.com.
MANITOU SPRINGS — Manitou Springs’ Soda Springs Park is the site of Saturday’s delicious Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off. Attendees will enjoy samples of gumbo from professional chefs and amateur cooks who will be competing for trophies. Public gumbo tastings will begin for 75¢ at approximately 11 a.m.
MANITOU SPRINGS — After the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off is Manitou Springs’ 28th annual Carnivale Parade. Saturday’s parade route will travel from Manitou Springs’ Memorial Park to Soda Springs Park at 1 p.m. People and pets of all ages are invited to join the family-friendly parade or watch from the sidewalks. Registration is not required to participate. For Carnivale Parade details, head to ManitouSprings.org.
FRISCO — Frisco’s Mardi Gras Dog Parade will step off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The costumed canine parade and street party will benefit Hope for Animals – Clear Creek Rescue, which helps abandoned, lost and suffering animals through rescue, shelter and public education. Hosted by the Town of Frisco and Hope for Animals – Clear Creek Rescue, the costumed parade for dogs and their families is cute, adorable and inspired by the Bacchus Parade in New Orleans. For parade registration information, visit TownofFrisco.com.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Mardi Gras arrives at Steamboat on Saturday with a packed schedule of events. The Steamboat Mardi Gras Parade will step off at 2:30 p.m. at the Ski Time Square in front of Rye. The parade will travel through the Mountain Village, spreading beads and good cheer. A carnival-style Mardi Gras Party with face painting and street performers begins at 1:30 p.m. The full Saturday schedule can be seen at Steamboat.com.
WINTER PARK — Winter Park Resort will hold its Mardi Gras celebration from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday with live music and classic cocktails. There will also be all-ages fun with stilt walkers, jugglers and a Tarot Card reader.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The 8th annual WinterWonderGrass Festival arrives this weekend with live music, beer halls and beer tastings, coffee bar, kids' zone, food trucks and more. The three-day festival kicks off Friday and features live music from Greensky Bluegrass, Margo Price & Billy Strings, Keller Williams and the Keels, Nikki Lane, The Travelin' McCourys, Molly Tuttle, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, The Bluegrass Generals, Della Mae, ALO, and many more. Check out the full festival lineup at WinterWonderGrass.com.
DENVER — Paul Reubens will be at Denver’s Paramount Theatre this Friday for a special screening of “Pee-wee's Big Adventure.” The 35th anniversary screening will be followed by amazing stories about the making of the movie from Reubens. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Friday. AltitudeTickets.com is the official ticketing source.
PUEBLO — "The world's largest indoor garage sale and flea market" will be open for two days at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. The market offers over 100 booths filled with unique and special finds. Tickets and booth rental information for the Saturday event can be found at UltimateIndoorGarageSale.com.
DENVER — Do you know someone tying the knot in 2020? The Denver Bridal & Wedding Expo is a one-stop shop for wedding planning, gowns, flowers, samples, prizes and more. The Denver Bridal & Wedding Expo takes place Saturday and Sunday at the National Western Complex. Show tickets are $10 at the door or free when registered online.
DENVER — The only Pan-Asian Film Festival in Colorado runs from Thursday to Sunday at Denver's Sie FilmCenter. The 5th annual Colorado Dragon Film Festival will showcase ten Asian and Asian American films. For festival tickets and a screening schedule, visit CDfilm.org.
GOLDEN — The 2020 Colorado Environmental Film Festival opens Thursday night with a reception and silent auction at the American Mountaineering Center. The festival, which runs through Sunday, will screen feature-length and short films by foreign, local and young filmmakers. To see the complete Colorado Environmental Film Festival schedule, visit CEFF.net.
DENVER — If you're looking to meet well-known reptile, amphibian and arachnid breeders, vendors and rescues in person, the Reptilian Nation Expo is the place to be. The event, which takes place at the Denver Mart Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, will have exhibits and educational shows, children's activities as well as animals and supplies below retail prices. Fans of lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, scorpions, tarantulas and other bugs will want to get their tickets at ReptilianNationExpo.com.
DENVER — Founded in 1900 as the Colorado Museum of Natural History, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science houses more than one million objects in its collections at 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver's City Park. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science will offer free admission to all this Sunday, Feb. 23. While admission will be free, it does not include planetarium or IMAX tickets. To learn more about the museum or to reserve tickets, visit DMNS.org or call 303-370-6000.
DENVER — It's Sloth Weekend at Denver's Downtown Aquarium! Coloradans will line up Saturday and Sunday for sloth meet-and-greets and sloth educational opportunities. The fun runs 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Learn more at AquariumRestaurants.com.
CASTLE ROCK — The 5th annual Douglas County Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is set for Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The family-friendly event offers food, exhibitors, live music and guest speakers. Admission and parking are both free for the event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in blue in order to support the law enforcement agencies of Douglas County and Colorado.
BOULDER — Boulder Ballet will hold four performances of its new production this weekend at the Gordon Gamm Theater at Dairy ARTS Center in Boulder. Modern Masters: Taylor & Wheeldon will feature the company premiere of "Airs," choreographed by Paul Taylor, and “Five Movements, Three Repeats” with signature choreography by Christopher Wheeldon. Opening night with post-performance celebration is Friday at 7:30 p.m. Performances will also be held at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, visit BoulderBallet.org or call 303-444-7328.
DENVER — Sketch comedy duo and "Bring the Funny" finalists on NBC bring "The Chris and Paul Show" to Denver this weekend for the first time ever. The duo of Chris O’Neill and Paul Valenti are famous for their ability to take seemingly predictable situations and attack audiences with such twists that people are left in shock after their signature surprise endings. International Comedy winners and Edinburgh Fringe Festival award nominees "The Chris and Paul Show" will perform at Denver Improv on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20 at Denver.Improv.com.
ARVADA — Love is in the air this spring at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. One of William Shakespeare’s most endearing and enduring comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will be performed beginning Friday. The new production features the spirit of Shakespeare's play with mistaken identities, mischief, and magic while creating a new world in which the story unfolds. A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed in repertory at Arvada Center's Black Box Theatre through Saturday, May 16. For tickets and showtimes, visit ArvadaCenter.org.
AURORA — The Scottsboro Boys is the newest production from Aurora's Vintage Theatre. The humorous and haunting musical tells the story that ultimately sparked the Civil Rights Movement — the infamous 1930s Scottsboro Case in which a group of young African-American men were falsely accused of a terrible crime. The regional premiere of The Scottsboro Boys plays the Vintage Theatre through Sunday, March 15. For tickets and showtimes, visit VintageTheatre.org or call 303-856-7830.
EVERGREEN — Ovation West presents the regional premiere of Lend Me a Tenor The Musical this weekend. Based on the opera Pagliacci, the musical is a madcap comedy born out of mistaken identity. Lend Me a Tenor The Musical spoofs operatic conventions with passion, rage, and drama leading to a hilarious climax. The new production opens Friday at Center Stage in Evergreen and runs through Sunday, March 8. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit OvationWest.org or call 303-674-4002.
DENVER — The Colorado Symphony's yearlong celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday continues this weekend with one of his most-celebrated achievements. "A masterpiece of spiritual expression and musical innovation," Missa Solemnis will be performed Friday, Saturday and Sunday Denver's Boettcher Concert Hall. For tickets and showtimes, visit ColoradoSymphony.org.
DENVER — Becca Kufrin and Ben Higgins host The Bachelor Live on Stage at Denver's Buell Theatre on Sunday. Packing an entire season of the show into one night, the show will introduce one hometown bachelor to local women in the audience. The show will have a series of games, challenges, onstage dates and other activities where participants and the bachelor get to know each other. At the end, the bachelor will hand the final rose to the woman he finds to be most compatible with. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are sold at AXS.com.
LAKEWOOD — Professional storyteller, poet, playwright, musician and public speaker David Gonzalez presents Tales from the Latino World this Saturday at Lakewood Cultural Center. Painting a vivid picture of the people and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, Cuentos features stories and songs appropriate for audience six and older. Tickets to Saturday's 7 p.m. performance can be found at Lakewood.Showare.com.
DENVER — The newest production from The BiTSY Stage opens Thursday at 1137 S. Huron St. The Merchant of Mumbai is the thirteenth adaptation presented by The Bitsy Stage. The rollicking Bollywood Bash, which speaks on love and friendship, also features large dance numbers. The Merchant of Mumbai performances are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, March 29. For tickets and showtimes, visit BiTSYstage.com.
AURORA — The Aurora Plunge & 5K Presented by Westerra Credit Union begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Aurora Reservoir. Participants can run or walk the 5K, jump in to the reservoir or do both. The 5K is a family-friendly and scenic route at Aurora Reservoir. There will be a post-race after party at Dry Dock Brewing’s South Dock location with a free beer to all participants 21 and older. Registration for the Aurora Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Colorado, can be completed at SpecialOlympicsCO.org.
PUEBLO — Jump into the frigid water of Pueblo Reservoir in the middle of winter to benefit Special Olympics Colorado. The Pueblo Polar Plunge, a Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Pueblo Reservoir. Plunge registration and donation information can be completed at SpecialOlympics.org.
DENVER — High school state wrestling champions will be crowned this weekend at Pepsi Center. The CHSAA State Wrestling Championships begin Thursday at 2 p.m. and continue through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the wrestling tournament are sold through AltitudeTickets.com.
DENVER — The red-hot Denver Nuggets face Western Conference rivals Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Pepsi Center in Denver. Tickets start at just $20 at Ticketmaster.com.
DENVER — The DU Pioneers men's ice hockey team is back in action at Magness Arena for two games. The Pios host Miami (of Ohio) at 7:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Snag your seats at DenverPioneers.com.
LITTLETON — The Snowman Stampede 5K, 10K and Half Marathon are all set for Saturday at Hudson Gardens in Littleton. Afterwards there will be a finish line expo with more than 20 vendors and food. Runners and walkers are welcome at the races which all get started between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Race registration can be completed online.
HIGHLANDS RANCH — There are two distances to run in Highlands Ranch on Sunday. A 5K race and 10K distance will be run at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Highlands Heritage Regional Park. Complete your registration online here.
PUEBLO — The annual Pueblo Marathon returns this Sunday. The marathon begins at the North Marina at Lake Pueblo State Park at 8:30 a.m. and finishes at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. Race registration can be completed online.
LAKEWOOD — Stretch your legs and break a sweat on Saturday at the All-Out Mardi Crawl at Bear Creek Lake Park. With a one-mile, 5K, 10K and half marathon, there’s a length for every runner or walker. All-Out Mardi Crawl race, course and registration is available online.
FRISCO — The 4th annual Frisco Freeze Fat Bike Race starts at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Frisco Nordic Center. Organizers say the 14K course will showcase amazing views of Buffalo Mountain and the Ten Mile Range.
COLORADO — Steven Spielberg's acclaimed film The Color Purple is returning to theaters nationwide in celebration of its 35th anniversary and Black History Month. Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies will screen The Color Purple for one day only on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time at more than 600 movie theaters across the United States. One of the highest-grossing films of 1985, The Color Purple is a gut-wrenching yet beautifully hopeful adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning coming-of-age novel. Tickets for The Color Purple can be purchased at FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.
DENVER — Denver Restaurant Week, a week-long holiday for Mile High foodies, begins its 16th edition this weekend. More than 230 restaurants will take part this year, making Denver Restaurant Week one of the largest and most popular restaurant weeks in the country. Although it's called Denver Restaurant Week, there are eateries in Broomfield, Lafayette, Lakewood, Boulder, Greenwood Village, Morrison and more. To learn more about Denver Restaurant Week, click here.
Would you like to see your favorite Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, drama, musical, ballet, run or event listed in 9Things? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
Have a delightful weekend!
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