Crystal Valley Blog

While Earth Day has been around since 1970, Arbor Day dates back to the 1500s where it was first observed in Spain. And in the U.S., it’s been celebrated since the 1800s! Trees are the majestic manifestation of all that we love about nature, so it’s only fitting that we should honor them. Here in the Castle Rock area, celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree, cleaning up some trails, or just spending some time in the great outdoors.

TODAY/TONIGHT, April 29

OUTDOOR STORY TIME
There’s nothing better than enjoying a story out in the fresh air! Douglas County Libraries brings Story Time to the park, so you and your little ones can stretch out on the grass and listen to a great story! Space is limited due to local health guidelines, so you must register in advance for each person attending. This event is designed for children up to 5 years old, along with their grown-ups.

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Register: FREE

PLAN A ROAD TRIP
Hit the road, Jack! This summer is sure to see a mass exodus of travelers getting out and seeing some new sights for the first time in a year! Take control of your wanderlust with this webinar presented by AAA Travel, the masters of the road trip! This fun and interactive virtual event will highlight top destinations in the U.S. and Europe and introduce you to the benefits of guided travel. You’ll come away with ideas and inspiration to make your next trip the best one ever!

AAA Travel Online
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Mountain time)
Register: FREE

WELLNESS WALK
Be healthy and well! Nothing feeds the soul like a walk out in nature, and this FREE guided excursion on the dirt roads in the reserved part of the Backcountry Wilderness Area will have you feeling renewed in no time.

Bring binoculars if you want to get a close-up look at the wildlife that’s teeming all around you! Babies and small toddlers in hiking carriers are welcome, too! Please register in advance to secure your spot.

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch 
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-471-7052

A COMEDIAN WORTH LISTENING TO
Chad Daniels holds the enviable title of the comedian with the most streams of his five albums—750 million! See why he’s so popular at his live and in-person stand-up show! He has six late night appearances, a Comedy Central Half Hour, and currently co-hosts The Middle of Somewhere, a weekly podcast.

Comedy Works So., 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $30
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday-Sunday, April 29 – May 2

TAKE A VIRTUAL VACATION
If you just can’t wait for the European Union to lift their travel bans, why not go on a virtual tour of the World’s Most Captivating Castles in the meantime? Get ready to be wowed by these grand, historic fortresses!

HGTV Online
Information: FREE

Friday, April 30

PLANT A TREE FOR ARBOR DAY
Show your appreciation for nature—especially trees—by helping to plant some in the park! Castle Rock has been designated a Tree City USA, so they host an annual tree planting every Arbor Day. No registration is required—just show up ready to help plant one of ten trees! 

Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-814-7456

Saturday, May 1

UP THE CREEK
Castle Rock’s annual Spring Up the Creek event is back! After taking last year off, this clean-up event is needed more than ever! Get in the community spirit by joining a team that will gather trash along trails following the creeks. Gloves, bags, snacks, and water are provided. This year, neck gaiters will also be provided, while supplies last. 

Due to pandemic precautions, advanced registration with an online indemnity form is required. Volunteers will meet at their designated trailhead or parking area (not at Festival Park).

Various trailheads, Castle Rock
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: FREE

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
It’s an Arbor Day party! This year’s scaled-back event in Parker will include Arbor Day goodies and Flippin’ Flapjacks to-go pancakes, while supplies last. Due to the pandemic, children’s activities will not be offered this year.

But you can still get a free seedling tree! And learn all about tree planting, pruning, and tree selection from arborist experts. Sign up for a specific time slot and attend a session that will answer your questions and teach you how to best care for your trees.

Discovery Park, 20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: FREE

OUTDOOR ARTISAN MARKET
Browse booths on nearly 10 acres in Parker, where over 40 local craftsman and small businesses will be offering their wares in this festive outdoor market! There will be a little bit of everything to choose from, including home decor, cooking and baking items, jewelry, bath supplies, leather goods, yard flowers, clothing, and more! 

Spend this warm spring day shopping for gifts for Mother’s Day, Graduation, Father’s Day, or something special for yourself! There will be food trucks on site, too, so come hungry!

Grammy’s Peanut Brittle, 115 Corsair Cir., Parker
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

CLOWN XPERIMENT
Public Works Theatre Company presents a special in-person children’s theatre event that’s a treat for the entire family! If you’ve got pre-schoolers, they’ll love this delightful production that’s a mash-up of science, magic, and clowning around! 

Pia the Clown will entertain you with hilarious antics as she valiantly attempts to conduct science experiments which leads to madness and mayhem!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
10:00 a.m.
Tickets: $10\
Phone: 303-805-6800

LIVE ON STAGE: FIREFALL
Popular soft-rock trio Firefall returns to the Lone Tree Arts Center for a live performance of their classic hits such as You Are The Woman and Just Remember I Love You.

This in-person show will celebrate 45 years of their feel-good sound, as well as songs from their critically-acclaimed new album, Comet, featuring the new single Way Back When.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
4:00-5:00  p.m. and 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$50
Phone: 720-509-1000

MUSIC THAT MOVES US
You’ll have a choice of watching this exciting Parker Chorale concert in-person or as a livestream, when they return to the PACE Main Stage with their popular concert of movie and Broadway hit songs.

You’ll be singing right along with the songs you love! This concert is guaranteed to have you smiling ear-to-ear and tapping your toes to the familiar tunes. Purchase a socially-distanced seat or watch in real-time from home.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$29
Phone: 303-805-6800

Saturday-Sunday, May 1-2

DC-3 PLANE RIDE AND SHOWCASE
Have you ever dreamed of flying over this beautiful land where we live in a vintage plane? This is your chance to sign up for that ride! If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, you can also marvel at the display containing a real 1942 Douglas DC-3 airliner that has been restored to near-new condition!

Check out the whole DC-3 Showcase!

Exploration of Flight, Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $4-$10; Plane rides: $200

A MIMOSA FOR MOM
It’s not too early to start thinking about Mother’s Day! Outlets at Castle Rock has moved  Mother’s Day weekend back by a week so that you can start celebrating early!  Treat mom to a day of shopping, mimosas, lounge access, and a chance for prize drawings!

There will be exclusive discounts and a goodie bag for mom, too! Register for your 30-minute time slot while there’s still availability!

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd. Suite 515, Castle Rock
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register: $15
Phone: 303-688-4495

Sunday, May 2

VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR
Get an inside look at the colleges on your teen’s wish list by attending the NACAC Virtual Spring College Fair. With over 600 colleges and universities from around the country participating, you’ll have a chance to have all your questions answered.

The event is FREE, but registration is required.

NACAC Virtual Spring College Fair
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Register: FREE

Family-friendly activities in the Crystal Valley area!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Crystal Valley! Enjoy the  relaxed lifestyle of Castle Rock and surrounding area where cultural and entertainment activities abound! Check out the beautiful model homes from Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, and Century Communities, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the $300s.