ELEVEN THINGS TO DO ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND
L abor Day weekend ought to have about as much “labor” as Boxing Day has prizefighting. Instead, the holiday that recognizes the value of workers on our national economy, history and spirit calls on Americans to take a break from the office and spend time with family, friends or quality alone time.
We’ve rounded up 11 winning ideas for how to spend the three-day weekend eating, drinking, traveling, relaxing and enjoying some of Colorado’s finest events. Colorado State Fair
The 145th Colorado State Fair in Pueblo brings together one of the largest festivals in the state, where games, music, competitions, sideshows, dancing, rodeo, animals, arts, agriculture, heritage, vending and 45 carnival rides. Concerts include ZZ Top (Sept. 1), Skillet (Sept. 2) and Hunter Hayes (Sept. 3).
1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, open until 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, and Friday, Sept. 1, through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets start at $7 via 719-5618484 or coloradostatefair.com. A Taste of Colorado
More than 50 food vendors, five national acts and 275 arts & crafts booths will descend on downtown Denver for the 34th annual festival. Food and beverage tickets are solid in strips of 15 for $10 and are cash-only. Civic Center park, downtown Denver,
101 W. 14th Ave., Friday, Sept. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is a once-a-year festival of fun rituals you won’t find anywhere else. The early-bird event begins at 6 a.m. Saturday through Monday, with balloon lift-offs peppered throughout the three days of festivities, which include chainsaw carving, doughnut-eating competitions, skydiving, wake-boarding, dragonfly paddle yoga, sumo wrestling bubble balls and some 60 enormous hot-air balloons. The balloon glow at dusk caps each day.
Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, Sept. 2-3, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon., Sept. 4, 6-10 a.m. The Rocky Mountain Showdown
It’s the 17th annual battle in Denver for Colorado college supremacy between the University of Colorado Buf-
faloes and the Rams of Colorado State University. This year, the fight returns to Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Friday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on the Pac-12 Networks.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver, Friday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m. Tickets start at $20 online at www.CSURams.com/tickets or by phone at 800-491-RAMS (7267). Rockies vs. Diamondbacks at Coors Field
What would the close of summer be without America’s favorite pastime? A week of high-intensity National League West baseball will continue on Friday night, with the Rockies kicking off a three-game home series against the Arizona D-backs, followed by another three-game series at Coors against the San Francisco Giants. The first pitch of the Memorial Day matinee will be thrown at 1:10 p.m. on Monday.
Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Fri., Sept. 1, through Mon., Sept. 4. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.
Last weekend at Elitch’s Water Park
Get wet quick: Labor Day weekend is your last chance to cool off at Elitch Gardens’ Island Kingdom Water Park. Admission to the water park is included in the cost of a ticket to the theme park. The amusement park at Elitch Gardens will be open until Halloween for Fright Fest, which begins in late September.
2000 Elitch Circle, Denver. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Daily park passes start at $35 at elitchgardens.com. Free First Saturday at Denver Art Museum
Use the long weekend to brush up on culture at Denver Art Museum, where the first Saturday of the month means free admission after 10 a.m. Current exhibits include “The Western: An Epic in Art & Film,” and “Mi Tierra,” an exploration of place by contemporary artists. 100 W 14th Avenue Parkway, Sat. Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Foreigner, Cheap Trick at Red Rocks
Two fan-favorite blasts from the past are celebrating Labor Day with a joint concert at Red Rocks. Foreigner, on its 40th
anniversary tour, and Cheap Trick want you to want to go.
Mon., Sept. 4, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $40 at axs.com or 888929-7849. Brews & Views at Hudson Gardens
The city of Littleton is bringing back the third annual Brews & Views Beer Fest on Sat., Sept. 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. For just $25, you can enjoy food trucks of local vendors, beer from over 30 Colorado breweries, and views covering 30 acres of botanic and natural sights. Designated drivers can get in for just $5.
6115 South Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. 21+. Regular admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the event. Sat., Sept. 2, 2-5 p.m. Tickets at altitudetickets.com or 303-405-6066. Wild West Air Fest in Steamboat Springs
The 14th annual Wild West Air Fest brings high-flying action to the Steamboat Airport. Highlights include a World War II Navy Torpedo Bomber, a Russian Provost Jet, an air show full of tricks and the chance to dress in a flight suit and helmet and sit
a real fighter jet cockpit.
Sat., Sept. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 for children 6-12, $10 for adults. Steamboat Airport, 3495 Airport Circle, Steamboat Springs. Tickets at events.com. All-American Rejects at Tour
de Fat in Fort Collins
Fat Tire’s national Tour de Fat comes to Fort Collins on Sept. 2 with The All-American Rejects and a full touring cast of performers. The all-day event will include musicians, circus perin formers, vaudeville, magicians and comedians in party-spirit and costume.
Sat., Sept. 2, 4-9 p.m. New Belgium Brewing Company, 500 Linden St., Fort Collins. Tickets $25 at eventbrite.com.