Coloradans will honor those who have died in the service of our country with parades, ceremonies and remembrances across the state this Memorial Day weekend.
The holiday weekend also offers opportunities to head outside with street festivals and creek festivals. The Junior College World Series is back in Grand Junction and Colorado's largest water park opens for the season.
No matter where you live in Colorado there is a unique event near you this holiday weekend.
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COLORADO SPRINGS — The old west returns to Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs for the 44th annual Territory Days celebration. Territory Days is four blocks long and features live music, food, fun and entertainment for the whole family. The celebration includes one of the state's largest craft vendor fairs. There will be pony rides, gold panning, a petting zoo, toy train rides, a mechanical bull, Native American dancers, live birds of prey, old west gunfight reenactments, live blacksmithing, two beer gardens and much more. Visit ShopOldColoradoCity.com to see a list of musical performers.
FEDERAL HEIGHTS — One of America's largest and best waterparks opens for the 2019 season this weekend. Water World has over 50 attractions meant for kids of all ages including more family tube rides than any other park in America. Parking at the park is always free and Water World allows many food and drink items to be carried in so grab a picnic basket and let the family fun begin. Tickets and park rules are available online at WaterWorldColorado.com.
BOULDER — The BolderBOULDER has grown since 1979 to be one of the largest community-running events in the world. This Memorial Day, more than 50,000 people of all ability levels will participate in the event. The finish line inside of CU's Folsom Field is the perfect setting for spectators to cheer on the participants with 100 waves of runners beginning at 6:50 a.m. and a grand Memorial Day Tribute planned for high noon. Register online for the BolderBOULDER here.
CRAIG — For four days in Craig the Old West comes alive. There will be rodeos, live music, delicious food and libations. Reckless Kelly will be performing live in concert Saturday night with special guests DJ Bridwell Band and Christopher Thomas. The Grand Old West Days Parade steps off at 3 p.m. Saturday in historic downtown Craig. For a complete festival schedule or to purchase tickets, visit GrandOldWestDays.com.
DENVER — Saturday’s Denver Day of Rock is a one-day music festival on 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The festival features five stages of live music all to help Amp the Cause support non-profits in the community. Denver Day of Rock unites the community through music and family-friendly entertainment. The 2019 lineup includes Eli Young Band, Barns Courtney, Austin Young Band, Wild Belle, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Strange Americans, Austin Plaine, Wildermiss, Kyle Daniel and more. Visit DenverDayofRock.com for a complete schedule and stage locations.
DENVER — The Denver Arts Festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary this weekend at Stapleton's Conservatory Green neighborhoods. The free festival, which runs on Saturday and Sunday, features some of Colorado's and the nation's best artists. There will be performances from Cass Clayton Band, Barkeley Avenue Jazz Band, and Spinphony, plus a beer and wine garden, kids' arts zone and more. To see a music lineup or to download a festival map, visit DenverArtsFestival.com.
DENVER — The 40th Annual Memorial Weekend Festival returns to South Gaylord Street this weekend. The festival kicks off summer with three days of family-friendly entertainment, rides, delicious food, venders and more. Live music begins Saturday with nine bands scheduled for the weekend. Kids will love the rides, bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, face painters and more. Visit OldSouthGaylord.com for a full music lineup.
BOULDER — The Boulder Creek Festival has been the unofficial kickoff to summer in Boulder for 32 years. The festival has nine separate areas with 500 venders showcasing community arts and crafts, three music stages, carnival rides and numerous food and drink vendors. The 32nd Annual Boulder Creek Festival runs from Saturday to Monday in downtown Boulder along the Boulder creek corridor from 9th Street to 14th Street between Canyon Blvd. and Arapahoe Ave. Check out the dozens of musical performers and concert times here.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The MeadowGrass Music Festival is celebrating its 11th anniversary this weekend. The festival brings national, regional and local artists to Black Forest for a family-friendly weekend of entertainment. MeadowGrass opens Friday at 10 a.m. and will continue through Sunday. There are camping spots available and the festival has a kids’ activity area. A Friday Night Beer Tasting will be held Friday at 4:30 p.m. with over 15 craft breweries being featured. Visit MeadowGrass.org for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets.
ESTES PARK — Estes Park will be bustling with events and activity over the three-day weekend. Bond Park in the center of downtown will have the annual art market with more than 90 local, Colorado and national artists presenting their talents in pottery, glasswork, painting, jewelry and more. Live music and food will be available all weekend and Estes Park's shops and river-side patios will be ready for summer.
CREEDE — Taste of Creede returns to Creede's Main Street for a 31st year. The weekend aims to delight visitors with inspired local art and amazing food. The festival kicks off Saturday morning and continues through Monday's Memorial Day service honoring veterans in Basham Park. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday there will be live music, entertainers, venders, food tastings, children's activities, museum tours and much more. Visit Creede.com for a complete schedule.
AVON — Top chefs from around Colorado will be serving mouth-watering barbeque at the 16th annual Beaver Creek Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival. The festival will be held Friday through Sunday at Beaver Creek Mountain. There will be free live music from Los Lobos, Shemekia Copeland, Ron Artis II, Burnsville Blues, Quinn Sullivan, Larkin Poe, Taylor Scott Band, and Davy Knowles. A craft beer festival on Saturday will have beer samples from 25 Colorado breweries. Tickets are available online. To see a complete schedule of events, visit BeaverCreek.com.
DILLON — The 18th annual Festival of the Brewpubs takes place Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mountain Goat Plaza at Arapahoe Basin. The party offers beers from Summit County, Colorado and beyond including selections from Angry James, Colorado Cider Company, Odell, Telluride, Upslope, Sierra Nevada, Highside, Breckenridge Brewery, Elevation Brewery, Left Hand Brewery, Cerverceria Colorado and Bakers Brewery. Sunday's festival will have live music by The Jauntee and several outdoor festival food stations. Beer sampling passes (with commemorative mug) are sold at ArapahoeBasin.com.
DENVER — After a rough road trip, your Colorado Rockies are back home on Blake Street this holiday weekend for a series with Baltimore. The three-game interleague battle begins Friday night at Coors Field with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. Saturday’s game is a “Game of Thrones” night and Sunday is Military Appreciation Day. The Rockies will begin another series starting Monday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. For tickets, scope out the best seat at Rockies.com/tickets.
GRAND JUNCTION — The 62nd annual JUCO World Series returns to Grand Junction's Suplizio Field this weekend. The 2019 series begins Saturday and will run through Saturday, June 1. First pitch this Saturday is scheduled for 9 a.m. when Walters State (TN) takes on Cowley (KS). Back-to-back defending national champions, the Chipola (FL) Indians, are back this year, along with many top teams including Navarro (TX), New Mexico JC, Central Arizona, Monroe (NY) and more. A full schedule is available at JUCOGJ.org.
AURORA — “Colorado Remembers – The Beginning of the End: Memorial Weekend Tribute” starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Colorado Freedom Memorial at 756 Telluride Street. Presented by the City of Aurora and the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation, Saturday’s 6th annual event features a helicopter flyover, music by the Mile High Normandy Circus, a traveling museum from the Rocky Mountain Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, vehicles from the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Colorado, a performance by The Beverly Belles Vintage Singing Trio and more.
DENVER — Denver's annual observance of Memorial Day will be held Saturday at the POF Hall just south of the state capitol at 1340 Sherman Street. The tribute runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The tribute will feature inspirational music, a reading of names, the U.S. Navy Bell toll, remembrance wreath laying and presentations of tribute banners and pins to gold star families. This event is free and open to the public.
COMMERCE CITY — This weekend’s family-friendly Memorial Day Parade in Commerce City is said to be the largest in the state. The 55th annual parade steps off promptly at 9:30 a.m. Monday at East 64th Avenue and Newport Street and ends near the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center at 6060 E. Parkway Dr. With a 1.5-mile route, the parade lasts approximately two hours and features more than 80 military units, bands, floats, antique cars and horse entries. Prior to the parade, the city will host a ceremony at Veteran's Memorial Park at 8:45 a.m. to honor the men and women who have died while serving our country.
WESTCLIFFE — The annual Memorial Day weekend parade in Westcliffe is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The parade will travel down Main Street.
DENVER — Volunteers will be decorating all 110,000 headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery with a flag on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. It is recommended you bring something that will help you carry the flags with you as place flags to honor the fallen. Memorial Day Flowers hopes to place a flower on every grave in 2019 as well. A Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Monday at the Main Flag Pole Assembly Area of Fort Logan National Cemetery.
GRAND LAKE — The Grand Lake Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony honors those who served to protect and defend our country. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and traverse Grand Ave. with veterans, service groups, horses and lots of patriotism. Immediately after the parade there will be a ceremony in Town Park with live music.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society will hold its annual Memorial Day commemoration at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs on Monday beginning at 10 a.m. with historic WWI and WWII displays. A 10th US Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration will take place at 11 a.m. and a butterfly release is scheduled for noon. Light refreshments will be served and the event is free to the public.
GREELEY — Greeley’s Centennial Village Museum has preserved and interpreted American western heritage since 1976. The living history museum’s two-day Centennial Celebration, set for Saturday and Sunday, offers historical house tours, blacksmithing, print shop demonstrations and more. A performance by the Buffalo Soldiers begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. The eight-acre Centennial Village Museum is located just south of Island Grove Regional Park. For tickets, head to ColoradoSpeedway.com.
FORT GARLAND — The annual living-history military encampment at Fort Garland Museum is set for Saturday and Sunday. Hosted by the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment, Company K 4th U.S. Cavalry, Artillery Company of New Mexico and Ford's Independent Company, 2nd Colorado Volunteers, the encampment portrays life at the fort with infantry, cavalry, artillery, blacksmith demonstrations and more. Kids of all ages are welcome to the museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday.
DACONO — Colorado National Speedway welcomes summer with one of the biggest weekend events of the season. The two-day Memorial Day Spectacular begins Saturday night with Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks, Late Models and Figure 8s while Sunday will see Super Late Models, Legends, Bandoleros and Trains. Fireworks are planned following both performances this weekend.
DENVER — The Denver Trolley begins its 31st season of operations Thursday. The Denver Trolley, the last operating trolley in the city of Denver, continues to operate along the South Platte River, hosting thousands of visitors each season including children taking their first ride on the rails, veteran rail enthusiasts, convention-goers, families, school and business groups, and those looking for a beautiful ride along the river while learning about the rich history and culture of the Mile High City. Tickets for the Denver Trolley, which runs through Sept. 2, can be purchased at DenverTrolley.org.
DENVER — The water park at Denver's Elitch Gardens opens for the season on Saturday. The water park is free with theme park admission through Labor Day weekend. The water park features thrill rides as well as family rides for the little ones. Cabanas and tubes are available for rent. Single day and season passes are available at ElitchGardens.com.
BUENA VISTA — Paddlefest is back in Buena Vista from Friday to Monday. The weekend-long festival is all about water. There are kayaking competitions, gear swaps, street vendors, guest speakers, races, tournaments and lots of live music. To see a full schedule of all the events or to register, visit CKSPaddlefest.com.
EAGLE — The new Eagle River Park holds its grand opening on Sunday with free rafting from Timberline Tours, hot dogs, lawn games, live music and more. Rafting is open to everyone who arrives before 12 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. The annual Eagle River Jam and River Park Grand Opening begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at the park on Fairgrounds Road.
DENVER — The Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown and Gameroom Expo is the ultimate pinball and gamer festival. The expo takes place Saturday to Monday at the Denver Marriott Tech Center and features hundreds of pinball and classic arcade games guests can play for free with admission. No quarters are needed at this festival, just play, buy, sell, repair, learn, meet up and have fun. To see a full schedule or buy expo tickets, visit PinballShowdown.com.
DENVER — Your Colorado Symphony closes its 2018/19 season with this weekend’s performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana featuring the Colorado Symphony Chorus, Colorado Children’s Chorale and a cast of soloists. One of the most well-known pieces of the 20th Century, Carmina Burana is an explosive end to a great season. Led by conductor Brett Mitchell, the Colorado Symphony will perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets and showtimes can be found at ColoradoSymphony.org.
DENVER & COLORADO SPRINGS — Stand-up comedian Ali Wong brings her “The Milk & Money Tour” to Denver and Colorado Springs over the holiday weekend. Known for her hit Netflix specials, Wong will perform twice at Denver’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday and at Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs on Sunday. No cell phones, smart watches, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the shows.
DENVER — Levitt Pavilion begins its free concert season with three concerts scheduled for this weekend. The summer schedule kicks off with Dragondeer with A.J. Fullerton, Whole Lotta Shakin in the Park Dance Party with Mile High Soul Club on Saturday, and Tea Leaf Green with The Jive Tribe on Sunday. The free concert season continues through September 15. Several ticketed concerts will also take place at Levitt Pavilion this summer including performances from The Samples with Vertical Horizon, Rob Thomas, Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World and Three Dog Night.
GOLDEN — Southern rock legends Molly Hatchet are set to rock the Rider Justice stage at DirtyDogs Roadhouse this Sunday. The all-day event starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast, followed by local bands Tony Rosario and Dave Frisk, then Manxome Foe and Band of Brothers until Molly Hatchet takes the stage at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online.
DENVER — Students enrolled in Levels 1 through Pre-Professional Division will perform two performances of Giselle at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The classical ballet Giselle, described as a romantic masterpiece, was first performed in 1841. Performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, visit ColoradoBallet.org.
HIGHLANDS RANCH — The dancers of the International Youth Ballet will perform the classic Peter Pan on Friday at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch. The performance, part of Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Culture on the Green, is free and open to the public beginning at 6:30 p.m. A baked goods sale at the park will help support the International Youth Ballet and their performance of Peter Pan at DU next weekend.
DENVER — Sweat, the newest production at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, ends its run on Sunday. The winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and TIME’s No. 1 play of 2017, Sweat is a moving drama about love, friendship and community in the blue-collar factory town of Reading, Pennsylvania. Tickets for this weekend’s closing performances of Sweat at the Space Theatre are sold through DenverCenter.org.
LOVELAND — The Budweiser Events Center at The Ranch hosts the Backwoods Riot Music Festival this Sunday. Performers scheduled into Struggle Jennings, Adam Calhoun, Who TF is Justin Time?, Big Buzz, Big Murph, The Stixxx, Big Po, Brodnax, Dem Bourbon Boys, Kentucky Music Mafia and more. Tickets for the 5 p.m. concert are sold online at TREventsComplex.com.
LARKSPUR — The 13th annual Spring Open House at Dutch Heritage Gardens will help you kick off the summer planting season with a huge selection of locally-grown annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets and patio-planters all at wholesale prices. The gardens' kids' corner lets your little ones have fun learning about gardening and flowers through hands-on activities. The open house runs Saturday through Monday.
BENNETT — Colorado High Plains Adventure will hold its 3rd annual Spring Farm Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Caramel Apple Farm. The farm, which raises goats for milk to be used in soaps, lotions, shaving cream and laundry soaps, will hold a soap-making demonstration at 11 a.m. The family-friendly festival also offers spinning and weaving demonstrations plus the opportunity to interact with goats, pigs, alpacas, donkeys and birds of prey.
LONGMONT — The Longmont Summer Home & Patio Show takes over the Boulder County Fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday. The home and garden event features vendors, expert advice, services and demonstrations to help you get your home improvement project off the ground this summer. Admission and parking are free at this weekend’s show.
GREELEY — The Colorado Model Railroad Museum is blowing out ten candles for its birthday celebration on Saturday. The Greeley museum’s 10th anniversary celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a special display from scale model car club The Scale Junkiez, custom merchandise and cake.
FORT COLLINS — The Realities Ride & Rally has been held every Memorial Day Weekend for 18 years to bring hope to local children who have been abused, neglected or who are at-risk. A rally will be held Saturday at Fort Collins' Washington Park with live music, car show, patriotic pin-up contest, kids’ activities and more. The world's largest motorcycle poker run will take place on Sunday starting at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson in Loveland with an after-party in Fort Collins with live music, motorcycle stunt show and fireworks. Visit RealitiesForChildren.com for a complete schedule of events and registration details.
CASTLE ROCK — Civilians, veterans and uniformed military can participate in Saturday’s 5th annual Memorial Day Run & March events in Castle Rock. The event at the Douglas County Fairgrounds offers a 5K Run/Ruck, 10K Run/Ruck and a 30K Ruck March. Post-race festivities include a live concert with local bands, vendors, food, drinks, activities and more. Proceeds from the races support Colorado Veterans Project. Registration information is available online.
FORT COLLINS — The Colorado Run, a Fort Collins Memorial Day tradition, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Monday. The event offers a Totally Tough 10K Run/Walk/Ruck and, new in 2019, a 5K and Kids’ 1-mile event. The 10K begins at 8 a.m. Monday at Cottonwood Glen Park with beautiful views of Fort Collins and Horsetooth Reservoir. A post-run celebration will be held at Intersect Brewing with food, beer, live music and awards. Colorado Run proceeds support Fort Collins’ Veterans Plaza which is dedicated to all U.S veterans who have served, are serving and will serve in the future. Race registration can be completed at ColoradoRun.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS — COLORADO SPRINGS —Run with the Angels 5K run/walk begins at 10:45 a.m. Monday in support of local, veteran-owned non-profit Angels of America’s Fallen’s mission of caring for the children of fallen service members and first responders through developmental activities such as sports, music and arts. The event starts and concludes at the Reg Leg Brewing Company taproom at 4640 Forge Road in Colorado Springs. Registration for the family-friendly, dog-friendly run/walk can be completed online. The first 150 registrants will receive a free commemorative pint glass.
AURORA — Wrights Amusements has returned to the Mile High City for a Memorial Day weekend engagement at Town Center of Aurora. The carnival at I-225 and Alameda offers 25 rides, five food stations, 18 game booths and more. Purchase of a wristband gets unlimited rides or tickets can be bought for individual rides. The spring carnival runs through Sunday, June 2.
WESTMINSTER — This class will teach the basics of fishing such as how to bait a hook, tie a lure, cast a line and learn about native fish. The introduction begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at Standley Lake Regional Park. The class is just $5 per child and adults are welcome too. Register online.
AURORA — The REI Boathouse at Cherry Creek State Park will hold its grand opening on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration includes a DJ on the beach, food, vendors and free activities as well as kayak, pedal boat and canoe rentals. For boathouse hours and rental information, visit REI.com.
COMMERCE CITY — After notching their first win of the season last weekend, the Rapids return to Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, hungry for win number two. The Colorado Rapids host the Columbus Crew SC at 7 p.m. Saturday night. Tickets are sold exclusively at AltitudeTickets.com.
DENVER — The 70th annual Rocky Mountain Stamp Show runs Friday to Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Convention Center. Admission is $2 per day or $3 for a five-day pass. For a complete schedule, visit RockyMountainStampShow.com.
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 magnificent weekend!
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