Crystal Valley Blog

There are tons of ways for the whole family to have fun in the sun in the Crystal Valley area this weekend! And since it’s the official beginning of summer, what better way to celebrate than by getting out in nature? In case you’ve gotten kind of attached to all those Zoom webinars, there are still plenty of them happening as well!

TODAY/TONIGHT, June 18

HELLO, MARGARITAVILLE!
You’ll be whipping up more exotic libations than margaritas when the HRCA Virtual Mixology course takes on Exotico Tequila! This week’s featured drinks that you’ll learn how to make are Exotico Cantarito and Blackberry Sage Tequila Smash using Exotico Reposado Tequila. Don’t forget to go shopping first so you can participate in the Zoom class as it’s happening. Pre-registration is required in order to get the Zoom link.

HRCA Online
6:00 p.m. online
Registration: Free

Thursday-Saturday, June 18-20

STORIES AND SUNSHINE!
This fun activity for families with kids ages 3 to 6 combines the best of two worlds—getting out in nature and hearing a great nature story! Each child will attend the event with his or her own adult nearby to participate and facilitate safe physical distancing.

In addition to the story, there will be barnyard animals to meet and a field or forest exploration activity in this one-hour program. To take precautions for COVID-19, the roster of eight kids will be split into two groups of four kids with their adults, in order to keep small ratios for activities while maintaining better physical distancing. Due to group size restrictions, please do not bring anyone with you who is not registered for the program, and please wear a mask.

HRCA Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
Thurs./Sat., 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: $7-$8
Phone: 303-791-2500

GENTLY-USED KIDS’ MERCHANDISE
The annual sale everyone waits for—both buyers and sellers—is back! The Just Between Friends Sale features a wide selection of maternity clothing and kids’ wear at great prices! 

This year there are new safety precautions in place as well as a temporary new location. Special times dedicated to high-risk individuals, a cap on numbers, and face masks are all safety procedures that will make you feel safer while shopping. You’ll walk away with everything your kids need—clothing, shoes, toys, books, games, baby equipment, and more at 50-90 percent off retail. 

Centennial Promenade, 9667 E. County Line Rd., Centennial
Thurs., 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri., 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

Friday, June 19

JAZZ UNDER THE STARS – IN YOUR CAR!
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra always brings a feel-good vibe anywhere they go! When you attend this PACE Center drive-in parking lot event, you’ll get to watch an outdoor concert from the comfort and safety of your own car, with your car radio tuned into the live entertainment that’s going on right outside!

Members of the CJRO rhythm section perform selections from their latest recording of the music of Jimi Hendrix, along with CJRO vocalist Heidi Schmidt and guest trumpeter Gabe Mervine! Don’t miss this creative twist on an outdoor concert!

PACE Center Parking Lot, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
8:30-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 per vehicle
Phone: 303-805-6800

Friday – Sunday, June 19-21

CHATFIELD FARMS IS OPEN FOR VISITORS!
You can enjoy a modified version of a day at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms by registering in advance for a timed-entry ticket. Entry will be timed in 30-minute blocks to allow for limited capacity and staggered entry. All ticket purchases must be made in advance online or over the phone—no tickets will be available onsite.

Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Reserve Tickets: $5-$7
Phone: 720-865-3500

HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDES
Explore the Backcountry of Highlands Ranch sitting astride a friendly horse! This hour-long lesson and ride out in nature is relaxing, fun, and guaranteed to keep you at the correct social distance!

Explore a portion of this pristine conservation property with opportunities to spot local wildlife like elk, mule deer, bobcats, golden eagles, and wild turkeys. The Front Range foothills provide the perfect backdrop to a close-to-home horseback riding experience. Riders must be age 7 or older.

Backcountry Wilderness Area Horse Corrals, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
Fri., 6:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 7:15 p.m. 
Register: $40
303-791-2500

Saturday, June 20

PADDLE DAYS AT RUETER-HESS RESERVOIR
Reuter-Hess Reservoir is NOT yet open to the public; however, a modified version of Paddle Days has begun. You must pre-register in advance for a timed-entry ticket, and there is a limit of one person per watercraft. Registration opens seven days prior to each Saturday Paddle Day event, so if you get shut out this weekend, sign up for next weekend pronto! 

Reuter-Hess Reservoir, Hess Road, Parker
Arrival times: 7:45 –  9:45 a.m.
Cost: $15 per watercraft

FIND THOSE LOST WOMEN
If you’ve been trying to do your genealogy but are stuck because you can’t locate your great-grandmother’s maiden name, you’re not alone. Many records in the past were made by men and about men, with no regard whatsoever to women. This makes it a challenge to find information on females in our family trees.

This informative webinar will teach you some specific research techniques to help you flesh out the information needed on your family tree. Using FAN research methodology and a wide variety of record types you might just get lucky enough to discover that illusive maiden name.

Zoom Virtual Seminar
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

Sunday, June 21

BIRD HIKE AT ROXBOROUGH
Spend Father’s Day on a fun and educational family hike learning all about birds! A guide from Front Range Birding Company will lead you on a hike to search for birds and learn about the history of Roxborough State Park and the surrounding area. Bring binoculars and water. Everyone above the age of 12 is welcome.

Group size is limited to 10, including the leader. You must maintain a 6-foot distance from those not living in your household, and masks are required. If you can not or choose not to wear a mask, please wait until the restrictions are lifted to sign up for an event.

Roxborough State Park, 4751 E. Roxborough Drive, Littleton
8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: FREE but registration required, plus a State Park Entry fee of $9
Phone: 303-805-6800

FARMER’S MARKET IN CASTLE ROCK
Whether you want to browse the booths for delicious local produce and homemade goodies or keep your distance and order from the “virtual market” by calling in your order and picking it up, the Castle Rock Farmer’s Market is back in business! Support the local vendors and small businesses of your community while enjoying fresh and and locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

FATHER’S DAY MAKE-A-MUG
Let your kids design their own masterpiece to give to Dad at the outside patio paint station in front of Play Street. Kids ages 3-10 will be able to safely sit out in the fresh air where paints and pottery mugs will be set up for them to work on. 

Play Street Museum, 9370 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite A-2, Highlands Ranch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 per mug
Phone: 303-357-3024

Lots to do in Crystal Valley!

There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature and still have easy access to all your favorite activities in the Castle Rock area. With beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Century Communities, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the $300s.