Crystal Valley Blog

Labor Day weekend in the Castle Rock area is full of fun events for the entire family! The long weekend starts with Parker’s Equestrian Eventing Championships, where you can witness the beauty and elegance of this Olympic sport where rider and horse perform amazing athletic feats! Or treat the kids to a day hanging out with a bunch of llamas at the Regional Llama Show in Lone Tree. And as a spectacular finale, don’t miss the Lift-Off and Glow Hot Air Balloon Festival in Colorado Springs!

Thursday-Sunday, August 30-September 2

HORSE SHOW IN PARKER!
One of the most exciting Olympic sports is the equestrian sport of eventing, where classically-trained and impeccably-dressed riders put their elegant horses through a series of challenging tasks, including jumping and cross-country racing. Once you have been a spectator at such an event, you will be a fan! After the competitions are finished each day, evening events include galas and social gatherings!

The Colorado Horse Park hosts the local chapter of the 2018 American Eventing Championships competition in Parker, with events ranging from Beginning, Novice all and Advanced. This championship event could produce future Olympians, so don’t miss your chance to see where it all started!

Colorado Horse Park, 7522 S. Pinery Dr., Parker
Thurs./Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Sat., 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-841-7461

EXPLORE THE AMAZON IN 3D!
What could be more amazing than journeying through the Amazon via a 3D movie? Watching an epic detective story about an unsung hero who explored the Amazon back in the 1800s! Amazon Adventure 3Dtells the true story of explorer Henry Bates’ fascinating 11-year journey through the visually stunning and biodiverse Amazon rainforest as a young man.

Little known to the public, Bates discovered that many animals use mimicry in order to adapt, and his crucial contributions to biology included putting the first ever case for the creation of a new species! You will be astounded by the mind-boggling examples of camouflage and mimicry straight from the Amazon jungles!

CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree
11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
Phone: 303-315-9444

FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMEDY WITH DREW LYNCH
This family-friendly comedian offers the chance for the entire family to come out for a hilarious stand-up show that’s appropriate for ALL AGES! Three of his shows are designed to be viewed by children and adults alike, while all other shows are for ages 21+.

You may recognize Drew Lynch from his Golden Buzzer performance on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent. Audiences across the country fell in love with his charming wit and genuine vulnerability. Lynch’s real-life situations in dealing with a stutter formed the basis of his stand-up routine on the show and ultimately propelled him to 2nd Place! Now he has made comedy his full-time career, as he honestly—and hilariously—faces the “elephant in the room” in his life.

Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$25
Phone: 720-274-6800

PIE – A THEATRICAL EXPLORATION
To quote Carl Sagan, “If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” Innovative Santa Fe-based theatre troupe, Theater Grottesco accepts Sagan’s challenge and has created an astounding theatre performance that explores what happens when you don’t know what to do next.

Part philosophical inquiry, part social examination, Pie is a journey across the universe, down the Grand Canyon, and into a world of questions about societal pressures, identity, hopelessness, greed, and the toxic muddy trickle at the end of a once raging river. Grottesco uses its broad stylistic palette to create surprise and wonder as it holds up a mirror to the current state of the planet and its people, while sneaking up on life’s great questions. “The performance defies description…superb in its execution and imagination” (Talkin’ Broadway).

Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$30
Phone: 719-634-5581

Friday-Monday, August 31-September 3

WWII WEEKEND SHOWCASE
This holiday weekend, step back in time to the magnificence of WWII-era flying and fighting machines! As the newest location of the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, the brand-new Blue Sky Aviation Gallery at the Centennial Airport presents a showcase of classic warbirds from World War II.

You will see such impressive examples as the Sea Fury, Mustang and a beautiful L-19 alongside WWII vehicles. You will also get an opportunity to meet Colorado’s only living ace, WWII Spitfire, Tomahawk and Mustang pilot, 99-year-old David Wilhelm!

Blue Sky Aviation Gallery, Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun./Mon., 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$12
Phone: 303-360-5360

Saturday, September 1

WILDCAT MOUNTAIN TRAIL RACES
With the crisp air of autumn moving in, now is a perfect time to sign up for a cross-country race! The entire family can enjoy this scenic trail run. Kids’ categories include ages 2-4 (.25 mile), ages 5-7 (1K), ages 8-10 (1 mile) and ages 11-12 (2 miles). If you run in one of the regular categories (10 mile or 10K), you will also receive a race shirt, custom handheld water bottle, FREE pancake breakfast from Flippin’ Flapjacks, and a post-race party with beers compliments of Living the Dream Brewing!

These races take place starting at the Douglas County East/West trailhead at Rocky Heights Middle School and runs along the trail to the beautiful HRCA backcountry Wildcat Mountain trail system. You will enjoy spectacular views along the way, including a beautiful bluff overlooking the entire Front Range!

Backcountry Wilderness Area (Rocky Heights Middle School), 11033 Monarch Blvd., Lone Tree
7:00-11:00 a.m.
Register:$5-$60
Contact: racedirector@hrcaonline.org

Saturday-Sunday, September 1-2

LLAMA SHOW
Discover one of the most popular animals in the world—in one of the most beautiful places in the world! The Llamas of Central Colorado Fall Classic Llama Show combines with the Rocky Mountain Regional show to inform and enchant you!

This two-day FREE show is family-friendly and includes events such Obstacle, Public Relations and Pack. Demonstrations are for all ages and abilities. Judges also evaluate the llamas entered in various classes, including Suri, Light, Medium and Heavy Wool Male and Female classes. S, come on out and get acquainted with some llamas!

Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
Sat./Sun., 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

Saturday-Monday, September 1-3

LABOR DAY LIFT OFF AND GLOW BALLOON FESTIVAL
Looking for an uplifting way to spend your Labor Day weekend? You can’t beat the three-day hot air festival at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs! This family-friendly event is a wonderful FREE way to spend the final days of summer outdoors, enjoying the spectacle of over 70 colorful hot air balloons!

Come early in the morning to see the breathtaking mass ascension of the balloons, accompanied by breakfast and drinks from local vendors. Activities continue throughout the day, including skydiving demonstrations, wake-boarding exhibitions, paddle boarding, live entertainment, chainsaw carving and donut eating competitions. Then you can wrap up your magical day at the sunset balloon Glow, when the many balloons will inflate and ignite their burners, resulting in a magical dance.

Memorial Park, 1705 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat./Sun./Mon., 7:00-9:00 a.m. (Lift Off) and Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m. (Glow)
Cost: FREE

Sunday, September 2

HIGHLANDS RANCH FARMERS’ MARKET
Did you know? Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family. In the US, lettuce is the second most popular fresh vegetable. Apples are a member of the rose family.The name asparagus comes from the Greek language and means “sprout” or “shoot.” Asparagus is a member of the Lily family and is related to onions, leeks, and garlic. For other fun facts about food, come explore the plethora of produce available at the Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market! Get up early for the best pickings, bring plenty of bags, and don’t be afraid to try something new! This is Colorado produce at its peak, so don’t miss out!

Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

BOZ SCAGGS IN CONCERT
The quintessential 1970s soul singer is back and better than ever! In a performance that spans the decades, with fan favorites Jo Jo, Spare Me a Dime, and everything in between, the emphasis is on the songs you grew up with from Silk Degrees. You will be transported back to the ethereal 70s with vocals that are better than ever, with a smooth and soulful delivery on every number.

Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$45
Phone: 303-797-8565

More Choices in Crystal Valley!

Whether it’s entertainment, comedy, music, recreation or dining, the master-planned community of Crystal Valleyis five minutes from downtown Castle Rock and near all sorts choice things to do! Check out the Crystal Valley model homes — in ranch and two-story styles – from D.R. Horton,  Kauffman Homesand Richmond American Homes— priced from the high $300s.