DENVER – Every weekend, Denver7 compiles a list of some fun events you might enjoy. Here are our picks for the 7 best things to do in the Denver metro area and beyond this weekend.
1. Horse around at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo
What: Fried food, craft beers, rodeo, live music and much more will take over southern Colorado for the 150th Colorado State Fair! The state fair will run for 11 days and also features concerts, carnival rides, livestocks and more.
Where: Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave. in Pueblo, Colo.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 until Monday, Sept. 2.
Admission: $12 for adults; $6 for kids ages 5-12; children 4 and under get in free.
More info: https://www.coloradostatefair.com/p/general-information
2. Can’t wait for Oktoberfest? Head to Morrison for a season opener!
What: Oktoberfest is months away, but for those looking to experience German culture, there’s no better place to be than Morrison this weekend.
Where: Edelweiss Club, 17832 Highway 8 in Morrison, Colo. There will be plenty of German beer and a variety of German style dishes (Bratwurst, Schnitzel, among others) to choose from.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $8
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/368354593853977/
3. “Cowboy Up” and celebrate Western heritage in Carbondale
What: Carbondale’s celebration of Western heritage is happening this Friday! Wagon rides, street dancing, BBQ and a live auction is what’s going down in the small town.
Where: Carbondale, Colo.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $10
More info: https://www.carbondale.com/event/cowboy-dance-bbq/
4. See dragons race at the Colorado Springs International Dragon Boat Festival
What: Chinese culture, sport, food, entertainment, and natural wonders come together at this year’s Colorado Springs International Dragon Boat Festival. Head down to Quail Lake for a full day of dragon boat races, and more family-friendly fun!
Where: Quail Lake, 915 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. in Colorado Springs, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Sunday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.gwndragonboat.com/Default.asp?id=colorado-springs&l=1
5. Immerse yourself in Polish culture during the Polish Food Festival in Denver
What: Immerse yourself in Polish culture this weekend at the Polish Food Festival. It won't just be food though, there will be Polish beer, pierogis, cabbage rolls and Polish pastries. Did I mention you’ll also see Polish folk dancing and singing?
Where: St. Joseph Polish Parish Denver, 517 E. 46th Ave. in Denver, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/polish-food-festival-denver-tickets-65972763311
6. Cool off and grab a cold one at the Great Central City Beer Fest
What: Looking to cool down this weekend? How ‘bout doing so with a nice, cold of beer? Head over to Central City for the Great Central City Beer Festival! Eighteen breweries from around the state will be on hand to serve you up a cold one, and what could make tasting some of the best brews better? A chaser of amazing musical talent – that’s what!
Where: Central City, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $40-$70
More info: http://www.centralcitybeerfest.com/
7. National Parks are FREE this weekend – and Colorado has 4 of ‘em
What: The National Park Service turns 103 this year, and to celebrate the occasion all national parks across the nation are waiving entrance fees – including here in Colorado! The free day waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours.
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
When: Sunday, Aug. 25
Admission: Free of admission.
More info: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/lifestyle/discover-colorado/free-day-at-all-colorado-national-parks-this-sunday-to-celebrate-npss-103rd-birthday
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
Get your pride on during Castle Rock’s Pride Festival
What: Missed this year’s Denver PrideFest? You’ll have a chance to march proudly this weekend in Castle Rock! Food vendors, music, performances and more are what await you at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Where: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 25 from noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://castlerockpride.org/pride-festival/
Cheer on the Denver Outlaws as they take on the New York Lizards
What: Join the Denver Outlaws as they take on the New York! Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere while watching the world’s best lacrosse players face off in this fast-paced game of agility, strength, and endurance within the confines of Broncos Stadium at Mile High!
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. in Denver
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 starting at 7 p.m.
Admission: $20-$60; get your tickets here.
More info: https://outlaws.majorleaguelacrosse.com/index.aspx
Dare to go inside the Museum of Colorado Prisons on a ghost hunt
What: Doing time must be terrifying but being surrounded by 140 years of frustrated spirits that are still waiting to be released inside a prison is just another level of scary. The Museum of Colorado Prisons is not only haunted by the inmates whose artifacts have been placed on display but also by the women who had the unfortunate opportunity to reside within the cells of its building.
Where: Museum of Colorado Springs, 201 N. 1st Cañon City, Colorado.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 from 8:30 p.m. to Saturday, Aug. 24 at 4 a.m.
Admission: $129
More info: Learn more and get tickets to the tour here.
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Open House & Free Pancake Breakfast*
What: Join the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office for a free pancake and open house of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and Coroner's Facility. The sheriff’s office will have a lot of activities for kids, and they’ll be able to pet the sheriff’s office K-9’s, as well as see their bomb squad vehicles, and much more. There will also be a Pink Patch Project/Denver7 booth at the event, where they will be selling all of their featured products including pink and blue patches, challenge coins, hats, pins, bracelets, clip badges and car magnets. Learn more about the project here.
Where: 13101 E. Broncos Parkway in Centennial, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: http://arapahoegov.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1333&ARC=2670
Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! It's not hard to find a bagel in Colorado, but a *New York* bagel? You'll want to head to Rosenberg's Bagels for that. At Rosenberg's, they take their bagels seriously — they even came up with a machine that replicates the water chemistry of New York City. It's a Mile High Must!
Have an event you’d like for us to tell viewers about? Send an email to oscar.contreras@thedenverchannel.com at least a week ahead of the event and make sure to title it "7 best things to do" so he can put your event on the list.