Crystal Valley Blog

Labor Day’s most exciting event may be the colorful, magical hot air balloon festival in Colorado Springs—and this year, it’s back! Head down in the early morning to watch the mass lift-off of more than 70 balloons fill the skies, or stick around until sunset to watch the balloons glow on the ground. In between, there are concerts, aerial shows, and a Labor Day festival in the park, filled with fun!

Thursday-Saturday, September 2-4

BRAD WILLIAMS
One of the funniest comedians working today, Brad Williams’ high-energy act sweeps into town for Labor Day weekend! No stranger to television, Brad has appeared on numerous shows including Legit, Deadbeat, Dave Attell’s Comedy Underground, Sam and Cat, Live at Gotham, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Mind Of Mencia and Pitboss. His one-hour comedy special, Fun Size, was the highest rated comedy special on Showtime in 2015.  After the release of his second special, the New York Times said, “no one is doing it more hilariously than Brad Williams.” 

Come see why Brad’s ability to make humorous observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race are winning over audiences and proving anyone can overcome their shortcomings. Please note that proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the show is required, and masks must be worn when entering and moving through the building.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:15 p.m.; Fri., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $27 – $32
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday, September 3

FIRST FRIDAY RUN AND PLAY!
Castle Rock’s popular First Friday event combines a free concert in Festival Park with a pre-concert Fun Run—a 5K theme-based run with the family! This week’s theme is You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog, so translate that into a costume and you may win the best-costume prize! The event is free, but registration is required.

Afterwards, enjoy a community party in the park, featuring Denver’s Best Band of 2019 by the readers of 5280 Magazine, Shelvis and the Roustabouts! This energetic Rockabilly/Americana band is led by powerhouse Lori “Shelvis” Muha, and the band plays music by Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and other Rockabilly pioneers. 

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

LIVE OFF THE LAND
This guided nature hike focuses on all the edible plants that grow in our beautiful backcountry. Native Americans flourished in this area centuries ago by living off the land.

A professional naturalist will lead this hike on the Willow Creek Trail and point out plants that could be eaten or used for a variety of purposes by people “in the know.”

Willow Creek Trail at Prairie Sky Park, 9381 Crossington Way, Lone Tree
6:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE

Friday-Saturday, September 3-4

MOVIES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
Winding down the summer Backcountry Movies series are two favorite summer family flicks! Disney’s Moana will be screened on Friday night, and on Saturday, you can catch the classic kid-powered The Goonies. Be sure to register in advance and bring your own snacks!

Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
Gates open 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $25/car
Phone: 303-471-7076

Friday-Sunday, September 3-5

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
If you’re wondering what this exuberant musical might be about…well, five guys (all named Moe) show up to teach a down-on-his-luck dude how to shake off the blues and live life to the fullest! One of the best neighborhood theaters in Denver, The Vintage Theatre, has brought this upbeat musical to our neighborhood for one weekend only!

Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe, and Little Moe all perform chart-topping tunes by R&B pioneer Louis Jordan like Is You Is, or Is You Ain’t My Baby, Let the Good Times Roll, and Caldonia. This show is guaranteed to put you on the road to happiness!

Schoolhouse Theatre, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10 – $29

WORKING: A MUSICAL
Another sign that the world is starting to get back to normal: Colorado College’s excellent theatre department will be performing their 2021-2022 season! First up is Working, a musical based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, including the hard-working people that are often taken for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the server, the millworker, the mason, the stay-at-home parent, and many more.

Nominated for six Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for our times, featuring new songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia and James Taylor. This new version of Working is a timely exploration of twenty-six people we now call “essential workers.” Its strength is in the core truths that transcend specific professions and how people’s relationships to their work ultimately reveal key aspects of their humanity.

Outdoor Corner Stage, Cascade Ave. and Dale St., Colorado Springs
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25

Friday-Monday, September 3-6

LIVING HISTORY FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Be a part of living history when the Commemorative Air Force flies a WWII B-17 Texas Raiders and three other warbirds in and out of Exploration of Flight! Your admission ticket lets you get up close to the B-17 Texas Raiders, SB2C Helldiver, SNJ-5 Texan and SNB Sonoran Beauty, and watch as they start up their engines, taxi on the runway and take-off! For an additional fee you can even take a ride in one of the planes! Once airborne the flight lasts approximately 20-25 minutes.

Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
Fri., 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sat., 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun./Mon., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9 – $20 (Admission fee); $100-$995 (Airplane ride)

Saturday-Monday, September 4-6

RISE AND SHINE!
Everyone’s favorite Labor Day celebration is back! The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off features early morning balloon launches that fill the sky above the city skyline. Approximately 70 hot air balloons will be slowly filled each morning, coming to life before your eyes! 

Arrive by 6:30 a.m. if you want to see these colorful giants inflate. Families and children can walk in the midst of the balloons and have a close-up view of the action! Then a mass balloon lift off each morning will magically fill the sky!

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
6:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Information: FREE

LIFT OFF FESTIVAL
Following the early-morning balloon lift-off events, Memorial Park will be filled with an all-day Labor Day festival featuring skydivers, music, food and drinks, and more! You can even purchase a ride in one of the balloons!

Saturday and Sunday mornings are filled with aerial performances and lake events, and concessions open at 3:30 p.m. both days. There will be a Battle of the Bands in the afternoons, followed by evening concert series. Monday is Military Appreciation Day, with a morning concert by the Mile High Rock Band! Check out the full schedule so you don’t miss anything!

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat./Sun., 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Mon., 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Information: FREE

Saturday-Sunday, September 4-5

BALLOON GLOWS
The highlight of the Lift Off Festival is undoubtedly the Balloon Glow each night. By sunset each day, the balloons will be back on earth and re-inflated on the ground. The illuminated balloons will bob and sway in place, taking part in a magical dance. You won’t want to miss these spellbinding evening balloon glows!

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
7:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

Sunday, September 5

FARMERS MARKET
This weekend’s Farmers’ Market will be overflowing with the bounty of local gardens! Make it a festive morning of shopping and let the kids pick out some of their favorite healthy treats from a wide variety of fruits, veggies, baked goodies, breads, jams, salsas and more!

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-724-2010

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
Kids ages 1-10 can bring their best stuffed friend with them to a playtime event that includes lunch! You can drop your kiddos off and run errands while they enjoy making new friends and meeting other kids’ teddy bears! Picnic lunch will include turkey sandwiches, potato chips, an applesauce pouch, and a juice box or bottle of water.

Play Street Museum, 9370 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite A-2, Highlands Ranch
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $17
Phone: 303-357-3024

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! Tour the nine amazing models from Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, Century Communities, and Kauffman Homes and and find out why our community is among the top five fastest-growing in the state with new homes priced from the low $400s.