KUSA — The final weekend of June offers early opportunities to celebrate Independence Day at several summer art and music festivals, a local amusement park closes its doors forever and superstars of country music and comedy make stops in Colorado. No matter where you live in the Centennial State, there's a fun adventure waiting for you this weekend.
Colorado Lavender Festival — Palisade
Western Colorado is much more than peaches and corn. The Western Slope is now home to a booming lavender industry. Snow-melt waters from the Rockies nourish high altitude farms where lavender thrives. The 8th Annual Colorado Lavender Festival is this weekend in beautiful Palisade. The festival is three days of great scents, sights and treats with tours, seminars, demos, shopping and food. Friday features motor coach tours to local lavender farms while the main festival at Palisade Veterans Memorial Park runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Self-guided lavender farm tours will be available on Sunday. Visit ColoradoLavender.org to see a complete schedule.
Country music superstar Kenny Chesney brings his huge "Trip Around the Sun Tour" to Colorado this weekend. The tour will stop at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday night. Chesney will be joined by Academy of Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year Thomas Rhett, country music group Old Dominion and newcomer Brandon Lay. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
2018 U.S. Senior Open — Colorado Springs
The 39th U.S. Senior Open comes to Colorado beginning Thursday at The Broadmoor. Play gets underway at 7 a.m. from both the first and 10th tees and will continue through the final round on Sunday. The golf tournament will feature a youth experience area, autograph sessions as well as a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Friday night to celebrate The Broadmoor's 100th birthday. Golfers on the card include Rocco Mediate, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz and many more. Single and multi-day tickets are available online at 2018USSeniorOpen.com.
Vans Warped Tour — Denver
The country's biggest traveling musical roadshow makes its annual stop in Denver on Sunday. The Vans Warped Tour opens its gates at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Pepsi Center for a day of music, moshpits, sun burns, studded belts and mohawks. This is the final full cross-country trek for the Warped Tour - now in its 24th year. Bands and performers scheduled to play in Denver on Sunday include 3OH!3, Black Veil Brides, The Used, Reel Big Fish, Issues, Waterparks, State Champs, Simple Plan, Falling in Reverse, Four Year Strong, The Maine, Real Friends, We The Kings, Tonight Alive, Mayday Parade, The Amity Affliction, Everytime I Die, Motionless in White, Senses Fail and dozens more. Tickets are available online at AltitudeTickets.com.
Glendale Raptors Playoffs — Glendale
The inaugural Major League Rugby playoffs begin Saturday at Infinity Park in a double-header format. The first match is scheduled for 5 p.m. between the Seattle Seawolves and the San Diego Legion. The second match between the Glendale Raptors and the Utah Warriors will begin at 7:30 p.m. Glendale Raptors playoff tickets are available online at GlendaleRaptors.com. One ticket gets fans access to both scheduled matches that day. The winner of Saturday's matches will play in the Major League Rugby Championship at Torero Stadium in San Diego on July 7.
Fort Carson Freedom Fest — Colorado Springs
Freedom Fest at Fort Carson has been extended to three days this year and will run from Friday to Sunday. The festival at Iron Horse Park features carnival rides, food, beer vendors, carnival games and family-friendly activities plus many musical performers including Eli Young Band on Friday and the 4th Infantry Division Band on Sunday. Freedom Fest will conclude with a fireworks show Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. The gates to Fort Carson will be open to the public on Friday and Sunday for the first and third days of the festival. On Saturday the festival is open to Department of Defense card holders and their guests, but the general public can still obtain a pass to enter Fort Carson via gate access security procedures.
Greeley Stampede — Greeley
The 97th Annual Greeley Stampede is underway in Greeley and this weekend boasts more top-notch professional rodeos, music headliners, carnival rides, food and fun. Sublime with Rome is scheduled to take the stage Friday night, Roots & Boots on Saturday and Aaron Watson on Sunday. The Greeley Stampede runs through Wednesday, July 4. Several rodeos, a demolition derby and a big Independence Day fireworks show are scheduled for next week. For tickets and schedule information, visit GreeleyStampede.org.
READ MORE | 9Things to Do at the Greeley Stampede
Arriba is turning 100 and is welcoming all to come and celebrate the milestone. The town's 100 Year Heritage Celebration begins Saturday with a parade at 9 a.m. featuring cars, tractors, floats, bikes and horses. Pioneer men and women will be roaming the crowd dressed in period clothing. Simply Platters Catering will be serving free food including burgers and hot dogs. Expect delicious funnel cakes and snow cones as well. Dean Brewing Co. of La Junta will servicing the celebration's beer garden. Other activities include a celebration dance at 3 p.m., a pie baking contest, bingo, a horseshoe tournament, an obstacle course and carnival games for all ages.
Stills in the Hills — Central City
For one day in June, Central City's historic Main Street turns into one big speakeasy with dozens of Colorado craft distilleries and hundreds of varieties of spirits. Stills in the Hills runs from 1 to 6 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are $35 online (or $45 at the gate) and allow you to sip on some one hundred spirits. The event is all ages and family-friendly as there will also be food and art vendors along the street as well as music performers playing throughout the day.
Colorado Springs Art & Music Festival — Colorado Springs
Local and national artists will be showing and selling their fine art this weekend in the heart of Colorado Springs at America the Beautiful Park. Fantastic works in painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, wearable art, leather, painting and more will be available at the festival which runs Saturday and Sunday. Music performers scheduled this weekend include Hazel Miller Band, Ponder The Albatross, Scarecrow Revival, Band on the Fence, Doc & Kit, Flute Daddy, and Tullis Blues. The Colorado Springs Art & Music is free to attend, parking is free and leashed pets are welcome. Bring the whole family!
Margarita Madness 5K — Littleton
Saturday's Margarita Madness is the only race where you get to celebrate with margaritas! This 21-and-older event begins with a pre-race party starting at 2 p.m. with the first DJ helping runs get loose by dancing. The first race begins at 5 p.m. with additional waves every few minutes. Once you cross the finish line your margarita will be waiting and then the party begins: a DJ will turn up the tunes with dancing and memory-making scheduled for the rest of the night. Food trucks will be on hand as well. Margarita Madness will be held at Reynolds Landing Park with parking available at Arapahoe Community College. Race registration is available online at MargaritaMadness5KRun.com.
America’s Beer Fest — Golden
If you love beer and America, then you might want to stop by the Jeffco Fairgrounds on Saturday. A ticket to America's Beer Fest gets you unlimited beer while you jam out to live music. The event will also feature the Star Spangled Beer Games which includes an attempt to break the world record for largest flip cup game ever. All active duty, retired military, first responders and teachers can enter the beer fest for free by registering for a ticket online in advance. America's Beer Fest will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Fort Collins Fitness Festival — Fort Collins
Lovers of fitness will descend on Fort Collins for a fitness celebration event on the Colorado State University campus. The inaugural Fort Collins Fitness Festival will be held on Saturday at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. The festival, designed for people of all fitness levels, includes yoga, boxing, total body burns, Zumba, 40 yard dashes, CrossFit, lifting exercises and much more led by instructors offering 10 to 50 minute workouts throughout the day. Fitness vendors and food trucks will be on the stadium's concourse as well. Tickets are available online. For a complete activities schedule, visit FortCollinsFitnessFestival.com.
Water Lantern Festival — Colorado Springs
Experience the magic of floating lanterns as the soft glow reflects upon the water at the Water Lantern Festival in Colorado Springs. The festival combines the friends, family, great food and a beautiful array of twinkling lanters on the waterfront of Prospect Lake at Memorial Park. There will be food trucks, live music, lawn games and lantern decorating stations. Bring your lawn chairs for a relaxing evening at the park. The festival starts at 6 p.m. and lanterns will be launched at 9. Each ticket comes with a keychain LED flashlight, marker, wristband and biodegradable water lantern are available online at WaterLanternFestival.com.
Grand Lake Chili Cookoff — Grand Lake
The 35th Annual State Chili Championship will be held on Saturday in Grand Lake. The delicious event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Park. The chili cookoff will feature determined teams facing off in heated competition while attendees will enjoy great food, live music, cold beer and bid in a silent auction.
Heritage Amusement Park — Golden
After nearly 50 years, Heritage Square is closing for good this weekend. The Victorian-themed entertainment village in Golden says it is ceasing operations at 7 p.m. Saturday. Heritage Square was opened by the Woodmoor Corporation in 1971. In 2015, the park's alpine slide along with the shops and businesses that made up the Victorian village closed. The amusement park and Victorian Event Center stayed open as stand-alone operations. Experience a Colorado tradition one last time this weekend.
The Miser by Molière — Westcliffe
The Shakespeare in the Sangres Festival opens its second production of the season this weekend in beautiful Westcliffe. The Miser by Molière, based on the Aulularia of Roman comic playwright Plautus, is a comedy that tackles the classic conflict of love and money. Performances of The Miser are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheater behind the Jones Theater. Tickets are available online.
Telluride Wine Festival — Telluride
The 37th Annual Telluride Wine Festival is underway and will run through Sunday. The festival is a gathering of the Telluride culinary community, visitors, vintners and chefs from around the world. On the schedule this year are wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, cocktail classes and food samplings. Visit TellurideWineFestival.com to see a complete event schedule.
Frisco’s Founders Day — Frisco
Sunday is Frisco's Founders Day at the Frisco Historic Park & Museum. Held to celebrate the history of Frisco, and the museum's 35th anniversary, the event will feature gold panning, lawn games, sidewalk chalk, live burro rides, refreshments, live music and entertainment, a Ute tipi dedication and drum circle. Events will take place at the museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To see a complete Frisco's Founders Day schedule, visit TownofFrisco.com.
Fourth of July Celebration — Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs' Fourth of July Celebration is underway with numerous festivities planned through Wednesday, July 4. The 40th Annual "Park to Park" Arts & Crafts Festival runs from Saturday to Wednesday in downtown Pagosa Springs along the River Walk. Town Park will be home to a carnival open daily through July 8. The 69th Annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m., Monday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m. The celebration continues next week with a Fourth of July parade Wednesday morning.
The Color Run — Commerce City
America's brightest and happiest 5K race returns to Colorado this weekend at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Color Run is open to all skill levels and is more focused on having fun with friends, family and color than about finishing the race quickly. Runners will be doused in colorful powder along the route so that each runner looks like a beautiful rainbow when crossing the finish line. The color does mostly wash out, but it might be wise to wear items you wouldn't mind getting colorful. The starting line for Saturday's run will be open from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Runners are encouraged to arrive early to the site as the start line is its own pre-race party with music, dancing, warm-up stretching and giveaways. Race registration is available online at TheColorRun.com.
Ridgway RiverFest — Ridgway
The 11th Annual Ridgway RiverFest is this Saturday at Rollans Park. The festival is a family-friendly celebration of the Uncompahgre River and features all-age river races, live music, local food and drink, kids’ activities, a rubber duck race, watershed educational and cultural programs. The highlight of the event is the “Junk of the Unc” race in which boaters maneuver their craft, constructed from scrap materials not intended for river travel, through whitewater rapids and others’ junk, trying to keep it all intact for the 0.5 mile finish line. Due to low water flows this year, only Junk of the Unc crafts are recommended on the water. Ridgway RiverFest events run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Falcon Freedom Days — Peyton
One of the earliest chances to see a top-notch fireworks display is Saturday at the 13th Annual Falcon Freedom Days. Hosted by Meridian Ranch and Antler Creek Golf Course, Falcon Freedom Days begins at 9 a.m. with a blood drive, followed by a hike, bike and stroll parade, bounce houses, a hot dog eating contest, live music, family-friendly activities and a large fireworks show just after dusk. Proceeds from the event will go to the Penrose-St. Francis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour — Denver
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart's massive 100+ date, 15-country comedy tour will make a stop in Denver this weekend. "The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night at Pepsi Center. Tickets are available online at AltitudeTickets.com.
Vail Valley Brew Fest — Avon
The Avon Performance Pavilion at Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon will be home to the 2018 Vail Valley Brew Fest on Saturday. Admission allows guests unlimited samples in a taster glass from more than 60 of the best brews in the high country and across Colorado. The festival features live music from Rewind at the VIP Session (which begins at noon) and Gasoline Lollipops during the general admission session (1 to 4 p.m.). If you'd like to exercise before the Brew Fest, the Avon Brew Run - a social 5K walk/run - will begin at 11:15 a.m. Tickets to the Vail Valley Brew Fest are available online.
LOCOfest — Longmont
The inaugural LOCOfest, featuring musicians based in Longmont, is scheduled for 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Bootstrap Brewing. There will be non-stop music from Cat Jerky, Tilia Americana, Mojomama, tenbucksixer, Idlewhile, Antonio Lopez Trio, Jackson Cloud Band, Denny Driscoll, Ham Samich, Tradesmen, The Bakersfield Band and more. Tickets are available at LOCOMusicFest.com.
Wild West Fermentation Fest — Glenwood Springs
The 3rd Annual Wild West Fermentation Fest will be held on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Glenwood Springs. Friday night features a free family-friendly concert plus food trucks and a beer garden. Tickets are required for Fermentation Fest on Saturday and the event will be 21 and older offering an assortment of the best fermented potables including craft beer, cider and liquor. The Wild West Fermentation Fest will be held at Two Rivers Park and Saturday Night tickets are available online.
Salida Arts Festival — Salida
The 5th Annual Salida Arts Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday at a park adjacent to the Salida Aquatic center. The festival is intimate with about 60 artists showcasing their works of sculpture, jewelry, paintings, photography, mixed media, wood, fiber and more. Admission to the festival is free.
Cowboys' Roundup Days — Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs celebrates the Fourth of July with a week-long celebration that begins Friday with a pro rodeo at Brent Romick Arena and continues through Independence Day. The 115th Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days also features a farmers' market, western music showcase, ski jumping and a concert by David Crosby on Sunday night. The celebration culminates on July 4 with a pancake breakfast, parade, block party with free Routt beer floats and laser show at Howelsen Hill.
Colorado National Speedway — Dacono
Nothing sounds and smells like summer more than a night at Colorado's fastest 3/8ths mile paved oval, Colorado National Speedway. Saturday night's event features Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks and Trains — you have to see them -— followed by an early Fourth of July fireworks show. Colorado National Speedway is located just north of the Denver metro area on I-25. Gates open at 4 p.m. and races begin at 6:30. Tickets are available online at ColoradoSpeedway.com.
The Beanstalk Music and Mountains Festival returns to Rancho Del Rio this year. This festival, nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, is a three-day camping experience where artistic expression through music and art work in unison with the inspiring environment of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to several music performers the festival features rafting, paddle boarding, hot springs, hiking, ATV excursions and more. The event is has a limited capacity so get your tickets early online. The Beanstalk Music and Mountains Festival runs from Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning.
Lyons Good Old Days Festival — Lyons
Celebrate the summer season with Lyons' summer festival on Saturday. The Lyons Good Old Days Celebration begins with the Lyons River Run 5K at Sandstone Park followed by a car show on 4th Avenue. The Redstone Museum will be open all day. Other festivities scheduled for Saturday include a kids area with face painting, balloon artistry, artisan vendors and games. There will be several musical performers at Sandstone Park and square dancing at Lyons Elementary School. Visit LyonsColorado.com for a complete schedule.
Janelle Monáe: Dirty Computer Tour — Denver
Singer and actress Janelle Monáe will be in Colorado for a performance Sunday night at Denver's Paramount Theatre. Monáe will be joined on the "Dirty Computer Tour" stop by St. Beauty. Tickets are available online at AltitudeTickets.com. After appearing in 2016's Moonlight and Hidden Figures, Monáe will appear this fall in Robert Zemeckis' The Women of Marwen with Steve Carell.
Do you have an event you would like us to feature? Send an email to alexander.kirk@9news.com. Have a great weekend!
