COLORADO, USA — This first weekend in May will truly kick off summer in Colorado. There are festivals and outdoor events galore with Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Kentucky Derby parties, horse drives, art walks and more. No matter where you live in Colorado there is a unique event near you:
DENVER — Helping homeless pets is as simple as a walk in the park. The Dumb Friends League is hosting the 26th annual Furry Scurry dog walk on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Denver’s Washington Park to raise money for homeless pets in our community. It's a two-mile walk around Wash Park, followed by refreshments, food trucks, contests, dog demonstrations and more than 100 pet-related vendors and sponsors at the Flea-less Market. To learn more about the Furry Scurry, how to fundraise, form a team or to find out other ways to get involved, visit DDFL.org.
ESTES PARK — The 31st annual Duck Race arrives Saturday in Estes Park with the goal of helping local charities and organizations. The process is simple: you adopt a duck for $20 each (or $22 online) and $19 goes to charity. The race has grown to be one of the biggest duck races in the country with 5 to 7 thousand ducks being adopted and hundreds of prizes for the winners. In addition to ducks floating downstream, the event features a Duck Waddle 5K Race, live entertainment, food vendors, beer garden and family-friendly activities. For a complete schedule of events, or to register for a duck, visit EPDuckRace.org.
COLORADO — Annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations are taking place all across the Centennial State this weekend. Celebrations are planned in Denver, Aurora, Greeley, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Breckenridge, Kremmling, Longmont and more. The biggest celebration will be held in downtown Denver when the two-day Cinco de Mayo festival takes over Civic Center Park. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and admission is free. For a complete schedule including when the wonderful Chihuahua races will be held, visit CincoDeMayoDenver.com. To see a list of Cinco de Mayo celebrations across Colorado, click here.
CAÑON CITY — The 81st annual Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival is now underway with national high school, middle school and junior high school bands competing in areas of Concert Band, Jazz Band, Parade and Orchestra. On Saturday there will be a parade at 1 p.m. on Main Street and a carnival will be open through Sunday. The Blossoms in the Park Craft Fair & Kids Zone will have over 100 craft vendors and kids' activities plus live music on Saturday and Sunday in Veterans Park. To see a complete schedule, visit CCBlossomFestival.com.
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COLORADO — The 145th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday, May 4 on 9NEWS with a post time of 4:50 p.m. "The Run for the Roses" is the unofficial kickoff to summer. All around the world people tune in to experience the pageantry and beauty of our old Kentucky home. No matter if you're pulling for Roadster, Game Winner, Improbable or Maximum Security, you'll enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere during "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports" at one of dozens of Derby watch parties taking place across Colorado.
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MAYBELL — The annual Sombrero Ranches' Great American Horse Drive sees 600 to 800 ranch horses trot through the heart of Maybell, Colorado. The horse drive begins on Saturday in Brown's Park and goes through Maybell on Sunday sometime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Be sure to head to Maybell early enough to by safely out of the way of the horses, wranglers, cowboys and cowgirls as they travel to the Craig ranch for the riding season.
FRUITA — The 24th annual Fruita Fat Tire Festival will be held from Friday to Sunday in downtown Fruita. Mountain bike enthusiasts from around the region flock to Fruita to celebrate the passion and lifestyle of the sport. There will be live bands on Friday and Saturday to accompany one of the top cycling expos in the state. To see a complete schedule of events, visit FruitaFatTireFestival.com.
FORT COLLINS — Jessup Farm Artisan Village’s annual Spring Festival takes place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free festival features plenty of kid-friendly activities, garden-themed vendor booths, live music, food, drinks and more.
ESTES PARK — Estes Park will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with the Mountain Festival on Friday. The event celebrates all aspects of mountain culture: the sciences, health and wellness, our cultural heritage and more. The kid-friendly, school-friendly festival takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Estes Park Events Complex.
FORT LUPTON — The 12th annual Heritage Fair returns Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Platte Valley Historic Park in Fort Lupton. There will be educational, family-friendly activities about the fort as well as demonstrations by living history re-enactors throughout the park teaching historical skills including swordsmanship, blacksmithing, weaving, carpentry and more.
DURANGO — The 11th annual DandeLion Festival is free, all-ages concert and spring celebration at Durango’s Rotary Park. The festival features live music, healing dome playshops and yoga, maypole dance, beer garden, local organic food, local vendors, thrift store and more.
DENVER — TheBigWonderful is back in Denver for 6th Derby Weekend in a row. The two-day festival features over 100 local makers, food, drinks, live music, kids’ activities, lawn games and more. The event offers a general admission option and beer fest ticket option which includes a Kentucky Derby viewing party on Saturday or Cinco de Disco Party on Sunday. TheBigWonderful opens Saturday at 4400 Fox St. Visit TheBigWonderful.com for a complete schedule and tickets.
DENVER — The Rocky Mountain region’s best fly fishing companies, local outdoor brands, guides, authors and fly-tyers will be at the National Western complex this weekend for the 4th annual Fly Fishing Rendezvous. The event will offer fly-tying courses, rod-building demonstrations, product deals, fly fishing talks, casting clinics, casting competitions, family-friendly activities, raffle prizes, food, drinks and more. The Fly Fishing Rendezvous takes place Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online, or at the door for $10 (cash only). Scouts in uniform and kids 12 and under get in free.
BRIGHTON — Barr Lake State Park will host free instructional fishing workshops on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fishing experts will be offering tips and tricks for kids and adults. Class sizes are limited so register in advance, if you’d like a free kid-sized rod, by calling 303-659-6005.
DENVER — The Great Western Alpaca Show is bringing hundreds of alpacas, alpaca enthusiasts and fiber art enthusiasts to Denver this weekend. The 2019 show at the National Western Stock Show Complex runs from Friday to Sunday and promises to be bigger than ever. The show features alpacas in show ring competition, farm displays and vender booths selling the latest in alpaca fashions and hand-crafted items. The Great Western Alpaca Show features many family-friendly activities and admission is free.
DENVER — Rebels and Imperials alike descend on Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum on Saturday for a day of family-friendly activities. There will be appearances by Star Wars characters, live Lego builds, trivia, bounty hunter training camp, arts and crafts and much more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To see a complete Star Wars at the Hangar schedule, or to purchase tickets, visit WingsMuseum.org.
COLORADO SPRINGS — John Williams’ iconic Star Wars score comes to life this weekend at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic will perform selections from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Performances are set for Friday and Saturday with tickets available at CSPhilharmonic.org.
BOULDER — Conductor Brent Havens leads the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra in this weekend’s performance of The Music of David Bowie. The orchestra will take to the stage of CU’s Macky Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Get your tickets now at BoulderPhil.org.
DENVER — Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble concludes its 48th season with its Spring Concert. Performances will take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre with members of the ensemble, youth ensemble and junior youth ensemble. Tickets are available at CleoParkerDance.org or by phone at 303-295-1759.
DENVER — Opera Colorado closes its season with a production of The Marriage of Figaro. The Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart work will be performed in Italian (with subtitles at every seat) with a stellar ensemble contest. The Marriage of Figaro will be performed at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House this Saturday, Tuesday and next weekend. For showtimes and tickets, visit OperaColorado.org.
BOULDER — On Friday, the Boulder Opera Company begins a new double bill of Signor Deluso and Cavalleria Rusticana. The passionate operas promise to have guests on the edge of their seats with a comedy of misunderstood betrayals and a drama of heartbreak. The operas begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Nomad Playhouse with five performances scheduled through Sunday, May 12. For tickets, visit BoulderOperaCompany.com.
FORT COLLINS — The Colorado State University Concert Orchestra and Concert Band is set to perform at free concert at Griffin Concert Hall this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Concert Orchestra will perform Paul Lewis’ English Suite for String Orchestra and Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 in G Minor, while the 120-member Concert Band will perform music inspired by Latin cultures.
DENVER — Who can resist taking a peek behind the screen at what goes on in Hollywood? Chris Parente, John Jurcheck, Candy Brown and Stories on Stage will tell insider stories from the weird world of Hollywood at Sunday’s Hollyweird at the Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center. Tickets are sold through StoriesonStage.org or by phone at 303-494-0523.
LOUISVILLE — Outside Mullingar, the newest production from Coal Creek Theater of Louisville, opens Friday at the Louisville Center for the Arts. The drama is described as a “compassionate, delightful work about how it’s never too late to take a chance on love.” Starring Amy Sonnanstine, Rob Leary, Steve Rausch and Kate Gulliver, Outside Mullingar plays through Saturday, May 18. For showtimes and tickets, visit CCTLouisville.org or call 303-665-0955.
DENVER — Denver dance company Wonderbound will perform their newest adventure, Boomtown, at DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts this Friday and Saturday. The production from Wonderbound Artistic Director Garrett Ammon features an original score performed live by Denver’s eclectic rock-folk band Chimney Choir. Tickets for Boomtown are available online.
LOVELAND — The largest fine art show and sale featuring only Colorado artists kicks off this weekend in Loveland. The 28th annual Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale begins with a Gala on Friday night at the Loveland Museum. The art show will run through June 2. You can learn more about the artists featured at the Colorado Governor's Art Show and Sale at GovernorsArtShow.org.
COLORADO SPRINGS — Wedding season is right around the corner! If you're planning a special event in 2019, the Colorado Bridal Show could be right up your alley. The show, which takes place Sunday at the Hotel Elegante Conference & Event Center, offers the latest in wedding planning from florists and dresses to DJs and wedding destinations. Tickets can be purchased online.
DENVER — High Country River Rafters, in partnership with Down River Equipment and Confluence Kayaks, will lead the 14th annual South Platte River Cleanup on Saturday. The cleanup, which has removed over two tons of garbage from Denver’s South Platte River corridor, will begin at 9 a.m. with an after party to follow. Learn more at DownRiverEquip.com.
PALISADE — Head tot the Western Slope this weekend for the 4th annual Brews & Cruise Festival. The Palisade event offers samples from acclaimed craft breweries, food pairings, live music and hand-crafted arts and crafts. Tickets and a full Brews & Cruise Festival schedule can be found at PalisadeCOC.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The weird, unusual and bizarre will be featured at this weekend’s Oddity & Bizarre Expo in Colorado Springs. The show will feature a national UFO exhibit, human masks, odd décor, weird hearse exhibit, morbid taxidermy, bizarre art, creepy dolls, steampunk items, ArtCartopia, Colorado’s largest baseball bat and more. The expo takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Colorado Springs Event Center. Grab your tickets at OddityAndBizarreExpo.com.
DENVER — Legendary rapper Vanilla Ice will headline a concert on Saturday night at Grizzly Rose in Denver. Tickets and meet-and-greet packages are sold at GrizzlyRose.com.
DENVER — Author, humorist and NPR host Paula Poundstone will come to the Mile High City on Friday. The comedian, also known for her podcast “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone,” will take to the stage of Denver’s Paramount Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Head to AltitudeTickets.com for tickets.
DENVER — Frequent talk show host, best-selling author and comedian Chelsea Hander will also be in the Centennial State this weekend. Handler will bring her “Life Will be the Death of Me” comedy tour to Denver’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday. Tickets are sold at AltitudeTickets.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The 4th annual Pikes Peak Region Small Business Week Food Truck Cook-Off will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Broadmoor World Arena. Due to the event’s popularity, this weekend’s event will have double the trucks, double the space and double the taste. The Food Truck Cook-Off will feature 33 food vendors and five drink/dessert vendors. Tickets can be purchased at BroadmoorWorldArena.com, AXS.com or by phone at 719-520-SHOW. To see a full list of participating food trucks, visit PikesPeakSBDC.org.
COMMERCE CITY — The 34th annual Commerce City Pancake Breakfast takes place Saturday at the Commerce City Recreation Center gym. The all-you-can-eat flapjack and sausage event begins at 7 a.m. There will also be a silent auction and free activities. Tickets can be purchased for $5 in advance online or by phone at 303-289-3789.
PUEBLO — The Pueblo Mall will welcome more than 30 crafters, vendors and small businesses this Saturday and Sunday. The Moms Rock Craft Show & Fair will have gift baskets, jewelry, hand-crafted gifts and decor, skin and hair care, clothing and more. The first 50 shoppers at the Kids’ Crafts Station will get a free goodie bag.
ARVADA — Hundreds of pieces of artwork created by local high school students will be featured in Historic Olde Town Arvada in its May First Friday Art Walk. The public is invited to view the artwork on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. with live music and free food and drink. Local businesses will be participating in the walk as well, exhibiting hundreds of pieces of art from nearly twenty Jefferson County high schools. Full event details at OldeTownArvada.org.
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies return home on Friday to begin a nine-game homestand. The Rockies will host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Coors Field. For tickets, visit Rockies.com/Tickets.
GLENDALE — The 2019 Major League Rugby season continues Saturday when the Glendale Raptors host the Utah Warriors. The match will take place Friday at 7 p.m. at Infinity Park. The Raptor’s Fan Zone at the park opens at 5 p.m. with activities, food trucks, beer garden and more. Tickets are sold at GlendaleRaptors.com.
COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids look to notch their first win of the season when they welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this weekend. The Rapids and Whitecaps will battle at 7 p.m. Friday in Commerce City. For tickets, head to AltitudeTickets.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL are back at Weidner Field on Saturday for a matchup vs. El Paso Locomotive FC. The match begins at 5 p.m. in northeast Colorado Springs with a bucket hat giveaway, as well as $3 margaritas. Tickets are sold at AXS.com.
GLENDALE — Sunday’s Autism Speaks Walk is part of the world's largest autism fundraising event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. Parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives and supporters will come together on Sunday for a local walk at Infinity Park in Glendale. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:15 a.m. Registration is available online at AustimSpeaks.org.
DENVER — Denver’s City Park is the site of Saturday’s Walk MS. The one-mile walk and 5K run/walk will be run with the goal of ending multiple sclerosis for good. Online registration closes at 12 p.m. Thursday, but on-site registration will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. with the Walk MS to follow at 9:30 a.m.
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association will hold a fundraiser walk this Saturday in Colorado Springs. The walk, which will begin at 11 a.m. at America the Beautiful Park, will support the association’s work in education, support groups and access to care and advocacy. Walk to Defeat ALS registration and donation information can be found at ALSA.org.
ARVADA — In addition to supporting the Hope House of Colorado, Saturday's Hope House 5K is also a Bolder Boulder qualifying race. Registration for the 5K and Fun Run opens at 8 a.m. at Lake Arbor Park in Arvada. Both races are open to all ages and strollers are welcome around the paved course. Registration is available online at HopeHouseofColorado.org. Hope House provides free self-sufficiency programs to teen moms including residential, GED, college and career programs.
AURORA — The Community College of Aurora, in partnership with The Medical Center of Aurora, hosts the inaugural FoxTrot 5K & Kids Fun Run on Saturday. The fun, health-focused, family-oriented community event begins at 9 a.m. at the Community College of Aurora’s CentreTech Campus. Learn more, and register, at CCAurora.edu.
ESTES PARK — The Duck Waddle 5K in Estes Park is part of this weekend’s Rotary Duck Race Festival. The 5K will begin at the east side of Bond Park at Elkhorn Avenue at 9 a.m. Saturday. The festival’s legendary rubber duck race is set for 1 p.m. Duck Waddle 5K registration can be completed at EstesParkRunning.org.
FORT COLLINS — It may not quite be 12 parsecs, but this weekend’s Kessel Run/Walk will still feature some fun activities and obstacles. The event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Fort Collins’ Old Town Library with a costume contest and run/walk. Participation is free, but a donation is suggested to support Poudre River Public Library District. Stick around after the race for other May The Fourth events in town. Check out all the details at FoCoComicCon.com/KesselRun.
FORT COLLINS — The hardiest Colorado runners will be in Fort Collins on Sunday for the Colorado Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Relay. Registration for the races can be completed at COMarathon.com.
FORT LUPTON — The annual May Day 5K returns to Fort Lupton on Saturday at Rail Road Park. The event benefits Fort Lupton Recreation Center Youth Programs and also serves as a qualifier for the Bolder Boulder. The May Day 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at 2nd Street and Pacific Avenue. Register online at FortLupton.org.
DENVER — This weekend’s BT5K Denver is part of the American Brain Tumor Association's Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series. This year’s race will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at Denver’s Cheesman Park. For registration and donation information, visit ABTA.org.
BOULDER — Sunday’s Emerge 5K hopes to raise awareness of youth suicide prevention efforts and bring support to the youth of Boulder County. The 5K family run/walk event begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Boulder Reservoir. Event registration can be completed online.
PALISADE — In addition to the Brews & Cruise Festival, Palisade has the Grand Valley Marathon this weekend. The Saturday event also features a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run and more. For a complete schedule and registration information, head to GrandValleyMarathon.com.
LARKSPUR — The Greenland Trail Race offers four different distances for runners this weekend. Participants can run in a 4-miler, 8-miler, 25K or 50K ultramarathon (Colorado’s fastest 50K). The events begin Saturday morning at the Greenland Open Space near Larkspur. Event registration can be completed online.
COLORADO — Every year, comic book shops throughout the country give away comic books for free. This year marks the 17th year for the colorful giveaway. Mile High Comics has special Free Comic Book Day events planned on Saturday in Denver and in Lakewood. Use your “x-ray vision” to find other participating shops or, for the those without super powers, use the store locator to find a participating shop.
COLORADO — John Wayne's Oscar-winning turn as Rooster Cogburn comes to the big screen for the first time in half a century beginning Sunday. True Grit, starring John Wayne and Kim Darby, will play in hundreds of theaters nationwide on Sunday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 8. The movie, presented by Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies, will feature pre- and post-film commentary from TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. For tickets and showtimes, visit FathomEvents.com.
Do you know of a fun Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert or event? Send it alexander.kirk@9news.com!
Have an incredible weekend!
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