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9Things to do in Colorado this weekend: July 19-21

The Denver County Fair kicks off county fair season in Colorado and the Daddy of 'em All opens in Cheyenne.

COLORADO, USA — From festivals and fairs to expos and runs, there's lots to do, see and explore in Denver and Colorado this July weekend. Celebrate the impending summer by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special. Check out one of these fun events across Colorado:  

Denver County Fair

DENVER — Summer fair season is officially underway with the arrival of the Denver County Fair this weekend. The fair, which runs from Friday to Sunday, is packed with family-friendly events including a daily carnival, goat yoga, cornhole tournament, low rider car show, contests and much more. Held at the National Western Complex, the Denver County Fair will showcase everything 4-H, from rocket science to chickens. The DCF Beer Fest will take place Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and includes unlimited pours for $25. A complete Denver County Fair schedule and tickets are available at DenverCountyFair.org.

Credit: Cheyenne Frontier Days

Cheyenne Frontier Days 

CHEYENNE — Located just seven miles past the Colorado-Wyoming border, Cheyenne Frontier Days, CFD, the Daddy of 'em All, is simply a must-see. It's the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. The 10-day event begins Friday. There's a carnival, western art show, old west museum, dancin' saloon, old frontier town, nearly daily rodeos, professional bull riding, Indian Village and huge night show entertainment acts. Lady Antebellum headlines Friday night with Kelsea Ballerini and Midland, Rascal Flatts with Clint Black on Saturday, and Josh Turner with Tanya Tucker on Sunday. Next week's night show performers include Keith Urban with Walker Hayes, Post Malone, Miranda Lambert with Randy Houser, and Tim McGraw with Devin Dawson. There will also be parades through downtown Cheyenne on Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the 27th. To see a completed Cheyenne Frontier Days schedule, or to purchase tickets, check out CFDRodeo.com. 

9NEIGHBORHOODS | Cheyenne: Live the Legend

READ MORE | 9Things to do at Cheyenne Frontier Days

Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Denver Broncos Training Camp

ENGLEWOOD — Broncos Country can exhale: the offseason is over with the arrival of training camp. The Broncos will host 19 open practices beginning Thursday at UCHealth Training Center. The team will practice Thursday through Monday this weekend. Parking lots open at 7 a.m., gates will open at 8 a.m. and each practice will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Select practices in 2019 will run from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., including an open practice at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday, July 27. Send us your Training Camp photos at YourTake and by using #WeAreBRONCOS on social media. 

READ MORE | Broncos 2019 training camp schedule

Credit: KUSA

Global Dance Festival

DENVER — Global Dance Festival returns for a 17th year this Friday and Saturday. The 2019 festival at Broncos Stadium at Mile High features headliners Diplo, Excision, IlleniumKaskadeGalantis, ZHU and Chris Lake. The festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with dozens of artists on multiple stages outside the stadium, plus there'll be carnival rides, food trucks and VIP village. Other artists expected to perform include BTSM, Joyryde, Peekaboo, Jason Ross, Krewella, Space Jesus, Herobust, Chase & Status, Shiba San, Bonnie x Clyde, Elohim, Al Ross B2B Bandlez, Keys N Krates, Green Velvet, Kyle Watson, Prok & Fitch, Eli & Fur, Sascha, Robotti, and Omnom. Tickets are available at GlobalDanceFestival.com.

Credit: Donor Dash

Donor Dash 

DENVER — The 20th Annual Donor Dash will take place on Sunday at Denver's Washington Park. The dash is a 5K run/walk to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of organ and tissue recipients and recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. and the walk and runs are scheduled to start at 8 a.m. To register for the 2019 Donor Dash, head to DonorAlliance.org.

Credit: Blues and BBQ


Blues & BBQ 

EDGEWATER  Blues & BBQ returns to Citizens Park in Edgewater on Saturday. Money raised from the event will go to Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver. There will be ten local bands including The Duke Street Kings, The Chess Masters, The Substitutes, Still the Same, Paisley Park, Emilio Emilio, My Blue Sky and ‘Retha Madness. On hand will be lots of food vendors, local breweries and local artisans. Tickets are just $10 for an all-day pass. You can get your tickets at BluesNBBQ.com. 

Credit: Thinkstock

Mesa County Fair

GRAND JUNCTION — Hard work meets fun at the 2019 Mesa County Fair. The 132nd annual tradition on the Western Slope takes place Thursday through Sunday and will showcase the best of the Grand Valley, form peaches to livestock. Professional bull riders are scheduled for Thursday, Ned LeDoux will perform in concert Friday night and a demolition derby is set for Saturday. Gate admission is free to this year’s fair which will have family-friendly activities, carnival, shows, food and drink vendors and livestock auction. For show tickets and a complete 2019 fair schedule, head to MesaCountyFair.com.

Credit: Thinkstock

El Paso County Fair

CALHAN  The El Paso County Fair in Calhan rolls on this weekend with a truck and tractor pull, bull riding, demolition derby, roping and racing events.  The fair runs through Saturday. General admission tickets can be purchased at ElPasoCountyFair.com.

Credit: Thinkstock

Park County Fair

FAIRPLAY  The Park County Fair is underway, and the schedule is packed. The 2019 schedule includes a pie-eating contest, 4-H shows, livestock shows, movie screening and chili cook-off - and that's just on Thursday! A rodeo will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All weekend long there will be a carnival, beer garden, kids’ activities, exhibits and live music. You can view a complete schedule at ParkCoFair.com.

Credit: Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Summerfest 

EVERGREEN  Evergreen's Buchanan Park will be home to the 40th Annual Summerfest this Saturday and Sunday. This event is a family-friendly festival of art, crafts, music and beer. Over 120 artisans and craftspeople will be selling their work in ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, wood and more. Admission to the festival is $5 for adults and children are free. Evergreen's premier beer tasting event, Palette of Brews, will be held on Saturday only. Tickets are sold separately at EvergreenArts.org and allow guests unlimited tastings.

Credit: El Comercio De Colorado

Westminster Latino Festival

WESTMINSTER — The 4th annual Westminster Latino Festival is a free community event that aims to bring together people and families in a fun and safe environment where they can enjoy Latino and other cultures. Saturday's festival will be held at the RTD Westminster Station at 6995 Grove Street. It will feature live music from Latin bands performing reggae, Cuban fusion, R&B soul, regional Mexican and more. Expect plenty of food choices from food trucks and vendors.

Credit: Mile-High NHRA Nationals

Mile-High NHRA Nationals

MORRISON — The biggest event of the year at Bandimere Speedway is here. The 40th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals powered by Pennzoil is the ultimate family racing event of the summer. There will be competitions in top fuel, funny car, pro stock and pro stock motorcycle. Saturday night features a street party with live music and Nitro Alley will have a vendor midway with the latest products. Every ticket includes a "Pit Pass" so you can meet the drivers and see the cars up close. Get your tickets at Bandimere.com. The Mile-High NHRA Nationals run Friday through Sunday.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Winter Park Jazz Festival 

WINTER PARK — The 37th annual Winter Park Jazz Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Rendezvous Event Center. Saturday’s lineup includes Boyz II Men, Kirk Whalum, Kindred the Family Soul, The Sax Pack: Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Kim Waters, and Tony Exum, Jr. Attendees can expect to see Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns, Ledisi, Adam Hawley/Marcus Anderson, Eric Roberson, and Darren Rahn on Sunday. The Winter Park Jazz Festival is expected to sell out, so reserve your ticket at AltitudeTickets.com.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rapidgrass Festival 

IDAHO SPRINGS — The 10th annual Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival returns to Idaho Springs this weekend at the Shelly/Quinn Fields. The 2019 lineup includes Rapidgrass, Mike Marshall & Darol Anger, The Lonesome Days, AvenhartTurkeyfoot, The Often Herd, Heavy Diamond Ring, Sugar & The Mint, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys and more. Early bird tickets can be purchased online.

Credit: Downtown Boulder

Pearl Street Arts Fest 

BOULDER — The 41st annual Pearl Street Arts Fest will be held in downtown Boulder on Saturday and Sunday with a special artist preview on Friday. A celebration of visual art, the festival includes many varieties of art from whimsical to modern sculptures to watercolors, oils and more. The festival begins at 10 a.m. each day, admission is free, and the City of Boulder parking garages will be free as well. Pearl Street Arts Fest will, of course, be held on beautiful Pearl Street Mall which features numerous restaurants, bars and shopping choices.

Credit: Our Lady of Mount Carmel

88th Annual Bazaar

DENVER — Now in its 88th year, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel's Annual Bazaar is one of Denver's oldest Bazaars. The event will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 3549 Navajo St. You can expect live music, Italian food, Italian vendors featuring salami, cheeses and imported items, Italian-style ceramics, peaches to order, a candy spinning wheel, midway games for kids, a grand raffle, bingo and bazaar food including pizza, pizza fritta, sausage, sandwiches, pies with ice cream, root beer floats, wine, beer, meatball sandwiches, corn, fruit kabobs, hot dogs and more. A procession will follow Sunday's 2 p.m. Mass. More information is available online at OurLadyMountCarmel.com.

Credit: adobe.stock.com

Festival in the Clouds 

ALMA  Now in its 22nd year, Festival in the Clouds brings three days of music and art to Alma, the highest incorporated town in the USA. The festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday, includes 25 bands, 40 regional artists, food, beer garden, children’s activities, dancing and more. Admission to Festival in the Clouds is free, but the festival serves as a fundraiser for area community projects as well. A complete schedule is available at AlmaFoundation.com.

Credit: Downtown Aspen Art Festival

Downtown Aspen Art Festival  

ASPEN  The Downtown Aspen Art Festival will move to Aspen’s Paepcke Park for its 17th edition. The 2019 festival will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free outdoor art festival offers a wide-range of creations in sculpture, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, one-of-a-kind jewelry and mixed media. Located directly on Main Street, Paepcke Park is conveniently located near downtown shops and restaurants.

Credit: Aurora Cultural Arts District

Arts on the Block

AURORA — Originally set to take place in June, Arts on the Block (Aurora Arts Festival) will be held this Saturday and Sunday at Fletcher Plaza at 9898 E. Colfax Avenue next to the Martin Luther King, Jr Library. This weekend's festival will have local bands, vocalists, dance groups, fashion show, fire spinning, animals from SeaQuest Littleton, bounce house, arts and crafts, kids' activities and much more. Admission is free with fees for some activities, food, and purchases.

Credit: The Great Inflatable Race

The Great Inflatable Race 

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Great Inflatable Race is a fun run with inflatable obstacles spread throughout the course. Participants will have to jump, dive and bounce on the custom course and after the race can enjoy the inflatable village. Once you register online you'll receive a shirt, wristband, temporary tattoo and race medal. This weekend's race will be held at Colorado Springs' Memorial Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Registration can be completed at TheGreatInflatableRace.com.

Credit: Zachary Andrews

Colorado Shakespeare Festival: King Charles III 

BOULDER — The Colorado Shakespeare Festival opens its newest production this weekend. King Charles III opens Friday night at the University Theatre on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. The drama envisions a near future where personal privacy, public betrayals and a threat to free press collide in the days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Nominated for a Tony Award for Best New Play, King Charles III plays through Sunday, Aug. 11. Reserve your seats at CUPresents.org.

Credit: Water Lantern Festival

Water Lantern Festival 

THORNTON  Experience the magic of floating lanterns as the soft glow reflects upon the water at the Water Lantern Festival in Thornton. The festival combines the friends, family, great food and a beautiful array of twinkling lanterns on the waterfront at Carpenter 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 5:30 p.m. and lanterns will be launched between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Each ticket comes with a floating lantern, marker, wristband and commemorative drawstring bag and are available at WaterLanternFestival.com.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lavender Festival 

LITTLETON  Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms will host its Lavender Festival on Saturday. With more than 2,000 lavender plants, the family-friendly celebration will have products made by local growers and artisans, free demonstrations, live music, kids’ activities, craft vendors, farm tours, food and drink vendors and more. Tickets for the celebration, which runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, are available at BotanicGardens.org.

Credit: AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Colorado Rapids vs. New York City FC 

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids are at home this weekend, hosting New York City FC. The Rapids will battle New York at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. General tickets and Coca-Cola fan packs can be found at AltitudeTickets.com.

Credit: John Shearer/Invision/AP

Hammer’s House Party

GREENWOOD VILLAGE — M.C. Hammer will be joined by Sir Mix-A-Lot, Sisqo, Biz Markie, 2 Live Crew and the Funky Bunch for a show at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village. The all-ages concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Snag your tickets at AXS.com.

Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Patton Oswalt 

DENVER — Comedian Patton Oswalt will perform at Denver’s Paramount Theatre this weekend. Known for this TV and movie roles (including a Critics Choice Award-winning appearance on Parks and Recreation and recent appearance in The Secret Life of Pets 2), Oswalt’s Denver show starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are sold at AltitudeTickets.com and by phone at 303-893-TIXS.

Credit: The Hudson Gardens & Event Center

Seal 

LITTLETON  Award-winning singer Seal is the latest artist to perform at the 2019 Summer Concert Series at Hudson Gardens. The “Kiss From a Rose” performer will take the stage after 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are on sale now at AltitudeTickets.com. For a complete Hudson Gardens Summer Concert Series 2019 schedule, click/tap here.

Credit: AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Clay Walker & Parmalee 

CASTLE ROCK — Castle Rock’s Summer Concert Series continues with this weekend’s concert featuring country music star Clay Walker and special guests Parmalee. Doors for Sunday’s concert open at 6 p.m. with Parmelee set to perform at 7 p.m. at Castle Rock’s Philip S. Miller Park. Orchestra, box and lawn seats are available for purchase at AltitudeTickets.com. 

Credit: Levitt Pavilion Denver

Reggae on the Grass  

DENVER  The 2nd annual Reggae on the Grass runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Denver’s Levitt Pavillion. The concert event, which celebrates the thriving reggae community in Colorado, features the best Colorado-based Reggae bands, DJ's, and singers, plus a market with reggae-related merchandise, arts, crafts, and services. General admission and VIP tickets are available online.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Stapleton Beer Fest 

DENVER  The Stapleton Beer Fest celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday at Founders Green. The festival offers tastes from numerous craft breweries, local food trucks, live music and more. The VIP tasting begins at 4 p.m. and general admission opens at 5 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit StapletonCommunity.com. 

Credit: Springs Beer Fest

Springs Beer Fest 

COLORADO SPRINGS  The largest outdoor beer festival in Colorado Springs will take over America the Beautiful Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The 13th annual Springs Beer Fest will have unlimited samples of beer from over 50 craft breweries, live music and vendors. Tickets to this 21 and older event are available online or at Colorado Springs Old Chicago Restaurants, Rock Bottom Restaurant or Bristol Brewery.

Credit: 719 Day Brewfest

719 Day Brewfest 

COLORADO SPRINGS — The 719 Day Brewfest will be held on Friday at Weidner Field, home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The Friday evening event will offer the best of the 719 with local craft beer, distilleries, food trucks, music, games, non-profits and Colorado Springs pride. Tickets for this adults-only event are available at AXS.com.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Castle Rock WineFest 

CASTLE ROCK  Over 180 varieties of Colorado wine from more than two dozen wineries will be available for swirlin' and sippin' at this outdoor wine event at Castle Rock's Butterfield Crossing Park on Saturday night. If wine isn't your cup of tea, there will be a beer garden as well as delightful food trucks and live music. This event is for adults only, so leave the kids and pets with a sitter. You can buy tickets to the 16th annual Castle Rock WineFest at CastleRockChamber.com. 

Credit: Town of Frederick

Chainsaws and Chuckwagons 

FREDERICK  Some of the most talented chainsaw carvers in the country will be in Colorado this weekend for a carving competition that pits the best against the best. The carving competition will take place on Main Street in Downtown Frederick. Artists will turn giant logs into beautiful works of art starting Wednesday. There will be live music, food trucks (also known as chuckwagons) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The completed wood carvings will be on display on Saturday at Crist Park at a family-friendly event where you can vote for your favorites. Visit FrederickCO.gov to see a complete event schedule.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Slow Food Nations

DENVER — Slow Food Nations is a three-day international food festival hosted by Slow Food USA. The festival runs Friday to Sunday with events, pop-ups, food and fun centered around this year’s theme: Where Tradition Meets Innovation. There are free events and interactive activities, as well as ticketed events, centered around Larimer Square. Check out the delicious event schedule at SlowFoodNations.org.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Water Carnival 

WINDSOR  The 19th annual Water Carnival is a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family. The water fun gets underway at 1 p.m. Saturday at Windsor’s Chimney Park Municipal Pool. Water Carnival registration is not required.

Credit: Thinkstock

Christmas in July

PUEBLO — Get a start on your Christmas shopping with this weekend’s event at the Pueblo Convention Center. Christmas In July Event, hosted by Pueblo Business Women, will have 50 Pueblo businesses in one location. There will also be back-to-school giveaways, prizes, food and family fun. The event is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Credit: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Climb 

DENVER — Gather your friends, family and co-workers to climb the stairs of Broncos Stadium at Mile High to help the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. The 10th anniversary Denver Cystic Fibrosis Climb begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The fundraising event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation allows participants to challenge themselves by conquering 3,865 steps on the way to finding a cure. There will be pre-climb yoga on the field and after party with food and drinks. Registration can be completed at FightCF.CFF.org.

Credit: Relay for Rescue

Relay for Rescue 

DENVER — Relay for Rescue is a charity bar crawl, relay race and scavenger hunt that will raise money for eleven local animal welfare organizations. Participants will be able to visit nine venues while competing for a grand prize while enjoying "tasks" such as a three-legged race, balloon hop, locked elbows and more. Tickets are $35 online and you’ll receive a t-shirt, drink tickets and a donation in your name. The event starts Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Blake Street Tavern.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Classic 10K 

COLORADO SPRINGS — This weekend’s Classic 10K follows Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak Greenway through the heart of the city. The race begins at 7 a.m. Saturday on Corporate Drive in front of Tiffany Square and finishes in North Monument Valley Park. Race registration can be completed here.

Credit: Rocky Mountain State Games

Rocky Mountain State Games 

COLORADO SPRINGS  The Rocky Mountain State Games is a multi-sport festival for athletes of all ages and athletic abilities. About 30 sports competitions will be held this weekend and next at the Olympic Training Center, National Strength & Conditioning Association, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado College and Memorial Park. Some sports require a small ticket fee to attend, but most are free for spectators. Head to RockyMountainStateGames.org and click on a sport to see when and where the competition is being held.

Credit: Thinkstock

Thin Air Nats 

GREEN MOUNTAIN FALLS  Escape the heat and head west of Colorado Springs to Green Mountain Falls for the 40th annual Thin Air Nats. Presented by Colorado Springs Rod & Custom, this car show will include over 150 vehicles on Saturday. The event features live music and games as well. If you'd like to register your vehicle, head to ThinAirNats.com.

Credit: UNC School of Theatre Arts and Dance

Into the Woods

GREELEY — The University of Northern Colorado School of Theatre Arts and Dance’s professional summer stock company, Little Theatre of the Rockies, opens its newest production on Friday. Into the Woods is based on tales from Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault and features familiar heroes and villains such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and more. Tickets for Into the Woods, which runs though Sunday, Aug. 4, are available through Arts.UNCO.edu or by phone at 970-351-4849.

 

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 an unforgettable weekend! 



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