Crystal Valley Blog

Just in time for summer, the libraries are back to in-person visits, with a fantastic summer schedule of events! The theme is Galactic, and you can join in a kick-off celebration in the park or sign up online for free giveaways! Little ones will enjoy the comeback of Outdoor Storytime! 

TODAY/TONIGHT, June 10

WALK TO BE WELL
Join a guided nature walk in the Backcountry Wilderness Area and you’ll enjoy a wellness boost to your body and mind! This FREE hike is a stroll in a beautiful natural area where you’ll be able to glimpse some wildlife and wildflowers. The event is free, but registration is required. 

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Registration: FREE (Advanced Registration required)

OUTDOOR STORYTIME
Your pre-schoolers will love hearing stories told outdoors! Bring along a blanket or lawn chairs for the grass, then sit back and enjoy watching your child’s face light up during the animated storytime. Please register in advance.

Lone Tree Library Front Lawn, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-764-3314

HAPPY HOUR HIKERS
Start your Thursday happy hour out on a healthy note—take a hike with a fun bunch of happy-hour celebrants! Bring along some friends or make new ones. Afterwards, everyone heads over to Living the Dream for Beer for Bucks! Event is FREE, but registration is required.

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Registration: FREE (Advanced Registration required)

CAR RACING FLICK
Long before the Fast & Furious franchise, there was the Continental Divide Raceways right here in Castle Rock! In the 1960s, CDR was all the rage, and racetrack owner Sid Langsam caught it all on film!

Watch a screening of his movie, Operation: Speed for a glimpse of local history and the excitement of a speedway. The presentation also includes a discussion by local author, Jim Hansmann about CDR and his 2020 book Racing at Altitude. Bring along your own stories of CDR to share!

Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock
6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-814-3164

Thursday-Saturday, June 10-12

COMEDIAN CARLOS MENCIA
Carlos Mencia began his career as a stand-up comedian and was named the “International Comedy Grand Champion” from the Latino version of Star Search. From there he went on to appearances on In Living Color, The Arsenio Hall Show, Moesha, and An Evening at the Improv.

He’s also a comedic actor and is known for his role in the Farrelly Brothers’ hit feature film, The Heartbreak Kid, and in the family comedy Our Family Wedding. Most recently he has returned to his roots in stand-up comedy, perfecting a brand-new routine.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $25 – $30
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13

SUMMER READING GIVEAWAYS
Sign up to win one of dozens of prizes being given away by the Douglas County Libraries by becoming one of their Summer Reading participants. When you register for the program by June 14, you’ll be in the running for some great prizes. If you are chosen as a winner, you’ll be contacted to arrange prize delivery. Winners will also be announced via DCL’s digital channels. No purchase necessary, and registration is free.

Douglas County Libraries Online
Register: FREE

Friday, June 11

GET FIT AT THE PARK
Get a great cardio/strength workout this week at the FREE outdoor exercise class everyone is talking about! Every Friday morning, head over to Castle Rock where a different exercise format will be taught. Classes are open to all fitness levels and the entire family is welcome! Be sure to register in advance before showing up to the park—the class is FREE but they need to know you are coming!

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-814-7453

GALAXY KICK-OFF PARTY
Celebrate the kick-off of Douglas County Libraries’ Summer Galaxy Program and enjoy a sweet ice cream treat in the park! While you’re there, you can pick up your log and registration prizes, enjoy a few activities, and take in a “Rocketry” lesson with The Space Foundation and Discovery Center. 

Sweetwater Park, 8300-1/2 Sweet Water Rd., Lone Tree 
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Register: FREE

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
Continuing with their Galaxy theme, DCL brings a screening of the movie Muppets From Space to the outdoors! This movie will be shown outside the library in Castle Rock at dusk. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks, and enjoy the show!

Philip S. Miller Library Parking Lot, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock
7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

Friday-Saturday, June 11-12

OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
The Backcountry is another great place to watch an outdoor movie—there’s no traffic sounds, the sky is truly dark, and you’re in a natural open-air theater. Bring your own snacks or buy some dinner from the food truck on site. You need to register in advance. Friday night’s movie is The Sand Lot, and Saturday night is The Avengers.

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25/car (Advance Registration required)
Phone: 303-471-7076

Saturday, June 12

MEND A TRAIL
Make a difference, mend a trail! Join the volunteer trail maintenance group that meets once a month to help maintain and improve the trails at Ridgeline Open Space. You’ll feel good doing some hard work, knowing that you are helping to keep your community a beautiful place to live. Gloves, tools and water are provided. Youth under the age of 14 require an adult over 21 to supervise. 

Ridgeline Open Space, 2525 Coachline Rd., Castle Rock
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-814-7456

GEOLOGY HIKE
Enjoy a moderate hike with a guide who will teach you all about the geology formations of the beautiful Cherokee Mountain and Raccoon Knob. You’ll be hiking up some steep off-trail paths, so wear good hiking shoes! Participants must be at least 12 years old.

The hike focuses on interpreting the beautiful landscape of Cherokee Ranch. You’ll learn how to interpret the sedimentary layers and decode the past. Massive floods, deadly volcanic eruptions, and the flood plain of an ancient river containing trees are just some of the amazing geology.

Cherokee Castle Parking Lot/Terrace, 5036 S. Hwy. 85, Sedalia
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: $35

MAKERS MARKET OUTDOORS
It was such a hit last summer holding the Makers Market outdoors that they’re doing it again! The popular artisan and crafts boutique will be spread out across the east parking lot at the Outlets, giving you plenty of room to browse the booths of over 50 makers, artists, boutique, vintage and food vendors. This event is FREE!

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd. Suite 437, Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-688-4495

CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Whether you are a classic car buff or own one of these beauties yourself and like to show it off, you’ll want to check the 21st annual Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association Classic Car Show. Bring the whole family to the event where you can get up close and personal to some unique classic cars, service vehicles, and trucks!

Interested in showing off your car? You don’t have to have a classic car to participate, any cool car will do—from lifted Jeeps to Model Ts and everything in between. Instead of an entry fee, donations will be accepted and will benefit the Cultural Affairs Association to fund cultural programming.

Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

WARBIRD SHOWCASE
So much more than a static museum exhibit, Exploration of Flight lets you watch aircraft up close as it takes off and lands. This weekend, the day is dedicated to warbirds—planes such as a P-51D Mustang, Navion L17, North American SNJ-5, and Hawker Sea Fury. Hungry? You can enjoy a delicious bite from the Michigan Colorado Chefs food truck!

Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $4 – $10
Phone: 303-360-5360

Sunday, June 13

DUCKY DERBY
There’s nothing more cheerful than the sight of hundreds of yellow duckies floating leisurely down the creek! Come out and support Castle Rock’s Rotary Club in their biggest fundraiser of the year—and have a ton of fun! The whole family will love the all-day entertainment, food trucks, Farmer’s Market, and the big Ducky race!

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

Plan Your To Dos Near Crystal Valley This Weekend!

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.