Crystal Valley Blog

This is the weekend to turkey trot, turkey walk, and turkey snarf your way through Thanksgiving and beyond! From annual turkey races and a community potluck, to performances by the premier a cappella group Take 6 and a screening of the popular holiday movie Polar Express. What a way to kick off a fabulous four-day Thanksgiving weekend in Castle Rock!

TODAY/TONIGHT, November 23 — Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND AT THE ROCK
The Rock, a local church in Castle Rock, is sponsoring a free Thanksgiving meal over the lunch hour! The congregation wants to be a blessing to the community and is offering turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green beans and drinks. Let them know you’re coming, if you can bring something and if you want to pitch in and lend a hand!

The Rock, 4881 Cherokee Dr., Castle Rock
12:00-2:00 p.m.
Free
Phone: 303-688-0777

TURKEY ROCK TROT
Come out and trot, stroll, run or walk to change lives today at 13th Annual Turkey Rock Trot presented by Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. The 5K turkey trot changes lives with proceeds benefitting the Douglas Elbert Task Force who help residents who are in financial distress and/or at risk of becoming homeless. Whether you are a serious runner or avid walker, bring the whole family and join in the fun to benefit a great cause. And be sure to stay for the free flapjacks, coffee, bounce house, face painting and balloon twisting!

Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
8:00-10:30 a.m.
Entry Fee: $40

TURKEY DAY 5K
For your choice of Thanksgiving day workouts, here’s the Turkey Day 5K Fun Run! The course for runners loops through the community, while the walkers’ course is an out-and-back on the Cherry Creek Regional Trail. This 5K race is a non-sanctioned event and unofficially timed, however all participants will receive a giveaway and chance to win prizes. Strollers are welcome but for safety reasons, please leave your dog at home.

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
8:00 a.m.
Race Day Registration: $25

Friday, November 24

MAYOR’S TREE LIGHTING
O’Brien Park comes alive for the holidays this Thanksgiving weekend! Join Douglas County residents for an enchanted evening and the Parker Chorale leads a Silent Night sing-a-long to kick off the event. Following the group sing, the mayor will count down to the grand park tree and holiday lighting in an illuminating spectacle. Stroll around O’Brien Park to see the lights and holiday ice sculpture displays; you may cross paths with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and plenty of tasty treats from local food vendors, holiday caroling from local high schools and a Nutcracker performance by Colorado School of Dance.

O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
5:30-7:00 p.m.
FREE

TAKE 6 AND NNENNA FREELON
Take 6 is the most awarded a cappella group in history, with 10 Grammy’s, 10 Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards), two NAACP Image Award nominations, induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and countless other musical and humanitarian citations. The dynamic group shares their clear harmonies, innovative arrangements and incredible grooves, demonstrating why this sextet is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world. Joining them is Nnenna Freelon, a world-renowned jazz vocalist who dominates the stage as an accomplished singer, has dedicated herself to educating young people, touring the United States for four years as the National Spokesperson for Partners In Education. She toured in a ground-breaking State Department sojourn to Vietnam with occasional collaborator Herbie Hancock, and her master classes and workshops, from “Sound Sculpture” to the innovative “Babysong,” teach adults and children alike the wonders of music.

Parker Arts Culture and Events Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $54-$59
Phone: 303-805-6800

Friday-Sunday, November, 24-26

THE NUTCRACKER
This enchanting favorite returns Thanksgiving weekend to entertain audiences of all ages. When the Christmas Eve gift of a toy nutcracker turns into a prince and transports Clara on a magical journey to a world of fantasy and fun. With a newly-added Friday matinee, the captivating scenes create magical memories to last a lifetime. Tchaikovsky’s musical masterpiece, The Nutcracker, will be performed by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Oklahoma City Ballet.

Pikes Peak Center, 190, S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
Fri.-Sun., 2:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
Phone: 719-757-9632

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES!
Kick-off the holiday season this Thanksgiving weekend with a festive carriage ride in downtown Parker! Riders will take a non-stop journey from Discovery Park to O’Brien Park to enjoy the fabulous holiday lights. The carriage rides are about 25 minutes and will travel through downtown Parker on Mainstreet. Crystal Valley is a sponsor of these rides throughout the holiday season!

Discovery Park, 20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
3:30 -8:30 p.m.
Free

TONY BAKER LIVE
Tony Baker is a stand-up comedian and actor on the rise — whether it’s on the stage, or in film, television or social media. Tony was featured on the last two seasons of NBC’sLast Comic Standing, Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution and CBS’s Comics Unleashed,  StaannDUP! on Starz. He was also featured on several episodes of Punchline on FOX. Tony was the winner of the 37th Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition and was also named L.A.’s Funniest Comic. He has acted in film and TV projects like NBC’s The Carmichael Show, Amazon’s Just Add Magic, and the award-winning film, Whiplash. Two of Tony’s performances will be family-friendly for all ages: Friday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ($8 to $16).

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Fri./Sat., 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.
Tickets: $8-$24
Phone: 303-274-6800

Saturday, November 25

SATURDAY SURPRISE
Each Saturday, with a few exceptions, the Castle Rock Library provides materials for families to make a surprise project, experiment or craft. It’s a great way to spend an hour or so for families of all ages, with possibilities for takeaway to complete at home. Since the project is a “surprise” we can’t announce it – just know you and your brood will have an way-above-average, good time!

Philip S. Miller Library/CR Bank Room West, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323

LULAROE SHOPPING PARTY
LuLaRoe is a modern line of women’s maxi skirts, pencil skirts, A-line skirts and dresses. This clothing designer is constantly releasing new styles, fabrics and patterns with the aim of creating freedom, serving others and strengthening families through fashion. With at least 12 different LuLaRoe retailers on site, plan on lots of giveaways and thousands of garments to browse at this shopping event!

Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!
The Polar Express is coming to Family Film Night again this Thanksgiving. Don’t miss the inspiring Warner Brothers’ adventure based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. It’s an exciting holiday event with crafts, games, hot chocolate and a photo opportunity with one of Santa’s elves! Don’t forget to wear your favorite PJs! The museum will be open to movie-goers until 5:00 p.m., and the Café will be open with a cash bar for guests ages 21 and over.

CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker
5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $13
Phone: 303-315-9444

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY PARTY!
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s unique take on American swing and jazz music has thrilled audiences around the world for years. Wailing horns, bouncing beats, and a whole lot of love and magic swirl together, channeling the spirit of those Louisiana swing legends; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is energetic, electric, and unrivaled. Every note is a chant in an incredible musical voodoo ritual that will leave the audience spellbound. And now their spirited “Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party” is destined to become a family favorite. Drawing on holiday classics and Christmas originals from the band’s two full-length holiday albums, this show really does offer something for everyone.

Parker Arts Culture and Events Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $64-$69
Phone: 303-805-6800

Monday, November 27, 2017

CASTLE ROCK CHESS CLUB
Join local chess enthusiasts for weekly chess games. All levels are welcome in this drop-in group.

Philip S. Miller Library/CR Bank Room West, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323

REGISTER NOW: IMPROV JAM!
Improv comedy is a fun and life-changing performance art form that will help you grow in self-confidence as you discover your inner funny! Each week the Improv Jam reviews improv fundamentals and concludes with short form improv performance games. Although the lessons progressively build each week, students may drop- in each week. Students who attend the final workshop on Dec. 7 will be able to perform in an improv comedy show immediately following the conclusion of the workshop. All experience levels are welcome – ages 18 and over! Register now for the November 30 jam.

Parker Arts Culture and Events Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Fee: $15-$16
Phone: 303-805-3374

Happy Thanksgiving Crystal Valley!

The builders and staff at the master-planned community of Crystal Valley wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! Choose from the amazing new home designs crafted by Richmond American Homes and D.R. Horton and don’t miss the gorgeous new model by Kauffman Homes. With both ranch or two-story models minutes from historic Castle Rock, these new homes are priced from the high $300s.