HOW ARE YOU SPENDING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND?
Water parks are opening, bands are gearing up to hit stages, kegs are being tapped and campsites are getting booked. We’ve rounded up 14 fantastic Colorado Memorial Day events and activities just for you.
Summer is just around the corner. We can smell the hot dogs wafting in the air. The grills are getting fired up in backyards across the state. Ballgames are being played at Coors Field. The kids are out of school (or should be soon). And now we have a three-day weekend ahead.
Colorado knows how to celebrate the first unofficial kickoff to summer. It’s time to fill the Memorial Day weekend with loads of fun. But where to start?
We’ve rounded up 14 fantastic Colorado Memorial Day events and activities just for you. Water parks are opening, bands are gearing up to hit stages, kegs are being tapped and campsites are getting booked.
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, Grand Lake, May 29 at 10 a.m., visitgrandcounty.com/calendar
Take time out of the weekend to honor those who served to protect and defend our nation. The Grand Lake Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony includes veterans, service groups, horses and loads of patriotism. Once the parade wraps up, stick around for some live music. Paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard on Waneka Lake, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette, Water rentals kick off on May 27 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (closed Mondays), cityoflafayette.com
Get out those coolers, sunscreen the kids and get ready for a day at Waneka Lake. The boathouse will officially open
for the season. You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards. Life jackets are also available to rent (and required if you go out on the water). The park at Waneka offers a fun place for little ones to let out their energy, and there’s plenty of tables for picnicking.
Bolder Boulder 10K, Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave., Boulder, May 29, 2017; festivities kick off at 5:45 a.m. (so no hitting the snooze button!), but runners take off in assigned waves, bb10k.bolderboulder.com
We can’t write a Memorial Day guide without including the Bolder Boulder. It’s a true classic. Folks from all over the country come to partake in the race that involves various activities and entertainment at Folsom Field in Boulder. Around 50,000 participants and more than 70,000 spectators enjoy the Bolder Boulder 10K each year. It’s fabulous people-watching: You’ll see racers dressed as tacos, wearing tutus, decked out in ’70s race gear and more. Different waves makes it perfect for runners, joggers and walkers of all levels and experience. Race on.
Denver Arts Festival, Stapleton Northfield, 8304 E. 49th Place, Denver, May 27-28, denverartsfestival.com
Stroll around the Denver Arts Festival to take in the fine work from local artists and a select group of national artists over Memorial Day weekend at Stapleton’s Conservatory Green. If you can’t find a babysitter over the weekend, don’t stress it — they have a kids ’n’ canvas mini painting party with Gallery On The Go. Kids get to paint a mini canvas magnet and take their picture in a photo booth.
Denver Day of Rock, 16th Street Mall, May 27, denverdayofrock.com
The perfect summer kickoff for a great cause. Denver Day of Rock is a one-day music festival that benefits the work of Amp the Cause, which supports numerous nonprofits in our community. The festival offers five different stages of live music along Denver’s 16th Street Mall. The lineup includes Austin Young Band, Barnaby Bright, Dearling, The Dustbowl Revival and Heather Maloney to name a few. It’s free. Or purchase a VIP package for $250 that includes catering and open bar access at five lounges throughout the event.
Boulder Creek Festival, Downtown Boulder along Boulder Creek, from Broadway to 14th Street, between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, May 27 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; May 28 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; May 29 from 11 a.m.5 p.m., bceproductions.com/ boulder-creek-festival
Boulderites, unite! All weekend long, the Boulder Creek Festival features a large variety of events, activities for the kids, bounce houses, concerts, food vendors and even a beer garden. The fest has nine separate areas with over 500 different vendors, and it’s free.
Fireworks at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, May 28 at dusk, elitchgardens.com
Roller coasters. Water slides. Beer. Funnel cakes. What more can you possibly need over Memorial Day weekend? Fireworks! On May 28, enjoy a full day at Elitch’s and stick around for an amazing fireworks show that will kick off at dusk. The water park also opens over Memorial Day weekend — and new for 2017: Mega Wedgie, three new speed slides at six stories tall and 40 miles per hour. (They specifically say no thongs or g-string swimwear is allowed. Darn it.) Summer Kick-Off — Music on the Mountains, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, May 26 from 6-10 p.m., glenwoodcaverns.com Nothing like partying on top of a cozy mountain to make you feel like a true Coloradan. Head for the hills and celebrate at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for their summer kickoff party with a concert by the Missing Link Bank and a performance by Dance of the Sacred Fire. The concert is free with the donation of a can of food for the local food pantry. Or if you want to enjoy all the rides, upgrade to a Funday Pass for $38.
Rent a cabana at Water World, 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights, Opening for the season on May 27 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., waterworldcolorado.com
While we’ve been snowed on all winter long, the folks at Water World have been working hard at preparing new cabanas for our enjoyment this summer. Standard cabana rentals start at $129. The water park officially opens to the public over Memorial Day weekend — and they’re even unveiling a new mascot. We can hardly wait. Is it a giant wave wearing Speedos? Who knows, the suspense is killing us. The park will also be offering a plethora of new food items and a specialty pavilion that features beer and beachtype frozen concoctions.
Cañon City Balloon Classic, Holy Cross Abbey, 2951 U.S. 50, Cañon City, May 27-29, canoncityballoonclassic.org
Show of hands to those who love watching balloons no matter how old you are. At the Cañon City Balloon Classic, attendees will enjoy delicious food, wine (enough said), works of local artisans and balloon launches with skydivers. There will also be live music and plenty of activities for the little ones in the Kids’ Zone. Stay in the evening for the Balloon Glows and the Abbey Glow.
Veterans Memorial Day Tribute, POF Hall, 1340 Sherman St., Denver, May 27 from 10 a.m.-noon, facebook.com/Veterans-MemorialDay-Tribute-213234849614/
The annual Veterans Memorial Day Tribute is a time to honor all fallen Colorado heroes and families on Memorial Day weekend. The event will feature touching biographies and stories, name readings, the Remembrance Wreath laying and more.
Plant sale at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, May 27-29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., cmzoo.org
If you’re looking to update your lawn over the three-day weekend, you’re in luck. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is having a plant sale with many varieties of grasses, perennials, herbs and more, all weekend long. And bonus: All plants are Coloradogrown. Zoo admission is not required to attend the plant sale.
Aspen Snowmass kicks off summer, Aspen Mountain, 601 E. Dean St., Aspen, May 27-29, aspensnowmass.com
Memorial Day weekend is when Aspen Snowmass launches summer programming and operations. From May 27-29, you and your friends can ride the Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mountain to take in the views from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Or get in one last snowball fight while you can — there is still lots of snow at the top of Aspen Mountain.
MeadowGrass Music Festival, LaForet Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Black Forest, May 26-28, meadowgrass.org
One of Colorado’s most eclectic music fests is back and better than ever. The MeadowGrass Music Festival’s lineup features more than 20 national, regional and local artists, such as The Kinnikinniks, Zach Heckendorf with Acoustic Ambush and Gipsy Moon. In addition to the music, the festival also offers music workshops, yoga, various kids’ activities and camping. Cost: $120 general admission for the whole weekend; other packages available.