Outdoor Events Opening Up!
You can begin to enjoy some classic summer outdoor events like group hikes, small outdoor concerts, and even a Polynesian dinner and celebration. In all cases, crowds will be limited and safety precautions will be taken. There’s also still time to sign up for Day Camps or to learn something new on a virtual seminar!
TODAY/TONIGHT, June 11
WELLNESS HIKES ARE BACK!
You don’t have to go far to feel like you are really out in the backcountry—only 15 minutes away from home, and you’ll be walking the dirt roads of the Backcountry Wilderness Area.
These popular FREE hikes are back! Fresh air and a scenic view make this jaunt to improve health and nature know-how a perfect way to spend your mid-morning.
Backcountry Wilderness Area Basecamp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: FREE, but registration is required
Course ID: 00084412
Phone: 303-791-2500
YA BOOK CLUB ONLINE
Teenagers and adults will find this compelling coming-of-age story worth discussing on the virtual YA Book Club. Black Flamingo is a fierce verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed UK poet and performer Dean Atta.
Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and Black Flamingo is born.
Barnes and Noble Online
2:00 p.m. Mountain time
Join: FREE
BOARDS AND BOOZE ON A BUDGET
Take a look in your pantry and see what clever combinations you can come up with for cocktail and snack board pairings! That’s the inspiration for this fun virtual seminar, led by Parker Arts staff members Laura Nell Borden and Becky Berends as they show you three cocktail and snack board pairings.
You’ll get some exciting brunch, cocktail hour, and dessert ideas, and you can also share what you’ve been mixing up lately! Get ready to fully participate with this shopping list!
Parker Arts Online Zoom Virtual Seminar
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 per household
Phone: 303-805-6800
MIX MORE DRINKS
Stranahan’s Whiskey is the star player in this week’s virtual cocktail party. You’ll learn how to make The Brother’s Quarrel and Strawberry Swing using Stranahan’s Original Whiskey. Don’t forget to go shopping first so you can participate in the Zoom class as it’s happening. Pre-registration is required in order to get the Zoom link.
HRCA Online
6:00 p.m. online
Registration: Free
MUSIC IN THE MEADOWS
Nothing says summer like a free concert in the park. Castle Rock is bringing favorite local bands, like the John Saunders Band, back to Butterfield Park every Thursday this summer.
The John Saunders Band plays a blend of original tunes with many of your favorites from artists like Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Ryan Adams, Pat Green, Jack Johnson, and many more.
Butterfield Park, 3952 Butterfield Crossing Dr., Castle Rock
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Thursday-Friday, June 11-12
VIRTUAL STORYTIME
Pre-K kids can tune in for a favorite story and related activities, brought to you online by the Douglas County Libraries. Help your kids get a head start on the skills they need to be ready to read. Kids will do the same five simple activities this series has always emphasized—reading, talking, writing, singing and playing—only online!
Douglas County Libraries Online
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom
Cost: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14
STILLL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR CAMP
If you haven’t signed the kids up for camp yet, check out South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s offerings, including All-Day Camp: Club Lone Tree for K-9 and Camp X-plosion for ages 10-14. Shorter camps with specialized themes are being offered, too—like robotics, cooking, art, acting, adventures in STEM with Legos, sports, and more. All facilities have been re-opened in accordance with the Safer at Home guidelines.
Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree
All-Day camps: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Shorter sessions: Times vary
Registration: All-Day camps: $31-$64/day; Shorter camps: Fees vary
Phone: 303-347-5999
Friday, June 12
SPECIAL CONCERT FOR A BETTER WORLD
Everyone could use some inspiration these days—and what’s more inspiring than a concert by the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale? This virtual concert promises to Build a Better World Through Song! In addition to the music from the children, there will be messages from the mayor as well as chorale founders and alumni. And you can join in with the singing of Dream a Dream!
Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale Onlne
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
DRIVE-IN SERIES: MORE THAN MOVIES!
The PACE Center in Parker offers a clever twist on the vintage drive-in movie. You’ll drive your car to the PACE Center parking lot, find a place to park, and tune in your car radio for the live entertainment going on right outside your car!
This week’s Drive-In event is a live concert by the Rootin’ Tootins, a high energy Dixieland Jazz Band, playing all your favorites from Hello, Dolly to St. James Infirmary. It’s an eclectic group of talented volunteer musicians who love what they do!
PACE Center Parking Lot, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
8:30-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 per vehicle
Phone: 303-805-6800
Friday – Saturday, June 12-13
THEATRICAL LIVESTREAM EVENT
Almost like attending the premiere of a new play, this live-streamed theatrical event will inspire you with its humor, charm, and wit. The Pink Unicorn features Henry Award-winning actress Missy Moore as a middle-aged Christian widow, living in a conservative Texas town, whose teenaged daughter not only comes out as “genderqueer” but also starts a chapter of the Gay and Straight Alliance at the local high school.
Thunder River Theater Company Online
7:30 p.m. Livestream
Tickets: $10-20
Saturday, June 13
POLYNESIAN BANQUET
Enjoy the tropical vibes and island flavors of the 13th Annual Lei Day Celebration! Treat yourself to a Polynesian dinner from No Ke Aloha while the dancers and musicians of Kalama take you to the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. The night wouldn’t be complete without the amazing grand finale of the Siva Afi or fire knife.
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$40
Phone: 720-886-8914
Sunday, June 14
FESTIVAL PARK FARMERS MARKET
Castle Rock’s Farmer’s Market is back, with the same community-oriented experience you remember from last summer! Local venders and small businesses will be offering fresh produce and homemade goodies at a safer “social distance.” New this year: a virtual market where you can shop from your phone and pick up your order the day of the market.
Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY AND HIKE
Learn how to take great nature pictures with an award-winning professional photographer. After a one-hour slide presentation showing how, when, and where to take the best pictures, you’ll go on a group hike to practice photographing the beautiful landscape, flowers and wildlife of the park. Everyone is welcome, no matter what kind of camera you have—Digital SLR, point-and-shoot, and even cell phone cameras!
Due to COVID-19, Roxborough State Park has precautions in place for hikes and programs. Group size is limited to 10, including the leader. Attendees must maintain a 6-foot distance from those not living in the same household. Masks are required; if you can not or choose not to wear a mask, please wait until the restrictions are lifted to sign up for an event.
Roxborough State Park, 4751 E. Roxborough Drive, Littleton
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE but registration required, as well as State Park Entry fee of $9
Phone: 303-805-6800
SLEEP-IN FARMER’S MARKET
You can sleep in and still be one of the first at this Farmer’s Market! You’ll be able to shop a wide selection of fresh breads, produce, and homemade goodies. Street vendors with accessories, handbags, and decorative furnishings will also be on hand.
Tents will be spaced further apart and booths may have an empty table separating shoppers from the food and farmers. Vendors will be wearing masks and gloves. The number of shoppers will be limited, and shoppers are encouraged to wear masks as recommended by the CDC.
9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Options Abound Near Crystal Valley!
Residents in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley love the easy access to both downtown Castle Rock, and tons of shopping, recreation and entertainment things to do every weekend! If you’re in the area, stop by and tour the wide array of model homes from Century Communities, D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, and find out why our community is among the top five fastest-growing in the state with new homes priced from the $300s.
