10 ways to celebrate Memorial Day
Tributes, races and parties mark holiday in Denver and beyond
Memorial Day offers the perfect excuse to grill, get the yard in shape or load up the car for a weekend trip — provided you haven’t already been doing that over the last few days of warm, sunny weather.
It’s also, at heart, a day for America’s veterans, so don’t forget about the commemorative events, both solemn and celebratory, amid the barbecues, parades and concerts.
Here’s a sampling of some of the biggest and best events along the Front Range for this threeday weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer.
Veterans Memorial Day Tribute. May 25; 1340 Sherman St.; denver.org This tribute at POF Hall, just a half-block south of the State Capitol, was founded two decades ago to honor Colorado’s fallen heroes. The free, 20th annual event, which runs 10 a.m.-noon, will feature a musical ensemble with bagpipes, hand bells and singers, a Reading of Names, the U.S. Navy Bell Toll, a Remembrance Wreath laying for heroes who have died in past wars (placed by veteran representatives), and presentations of signature tribute banners and pins to Gold Star families. Denver Day of Rock. May 25;
16th Street Mall; denverdayofrock.com
Skyline Park and nearby locations downtown will host the annual Denver Day of Rock, a free, multistage music festival that turns the 16th Street Mall into an all-day party on behalf of Amp the Cause — a nonprofit benefiting more than two dozen children’s charities. The 2019 lineup features two dozen acts on five stages, including headliners Eli Young Band, Barns Courtney, Austin Young Band, Wild Belle and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. VIP Lounge packages include catering, five open bars and more for $250. Colorado Remembers.
May 25; 756 Telluride St., Aurora; auroragov.org
Staged at the Colorado Freedom Memorial, this 8 a.m.-1 p.m. event honors Colorado military personnel and their families with a free pancake breakfast (8 a.m.-10 a.m.), a remembrance ceremony (10 a.m.-11 a.m.) and dedicated time for families and friends to honor their fallen loved ones at the memorial (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), plus a helicopter flyover, music from Mile High Normandy Chorus, military vehicles and more. There’s plenty of lawn seating, but be sure to bring your own blankets and chairs. Free and family-friendly. (Sorry, no dogs.) Veterans Tour at Fairmount Cemetery. May 26;
430 S. Quebec St.
From 10 a.m. to noon on May 26, the Fairmount Heritage Foundation will offer free tours honoring the veterans interred in this massive, stately cemetery at the corner of East Alameda Avenue and South Quebec Street. Gather at the “Tour Stars Here” sign, just east of the Quebec Street entrance, before winding your way to notable veterans including Lt. Francis B. Lowry and General Orlando Ward — the latter the most highly decorated solider at Fairmount. Donations are welcome. Optional registration at eventbrite.com. Xtra Vaganza Sundays at Temple. May 26; Temple Denver, 1144 Broadway; evenbrite.com
Memorial Day marks the first of Temple’s new Xtra Vaganza Sundays, which will showcase diverse programming welcoming “all genders, races, religions and styles of people.” Picture two rooms of Lgbtqfriendly DJS and go-go dancers, with the kick-off
featuring Yuhua Hamasaki (“Rupaul’s Drag Race”), DJ Adrian Dalera, Cristy Lawrence, DJ Tatiana, Stevie Mistine, Bobby Lindsay, Buddy Bravo’s Chanté Soiree Kiki and more., starting at 8 p.m. Cost: $20. Denver Arts Festival.
May 25-26; Stapleton Northfield, 8304 E. 49th Place; denverartsfestival.com
Returning to Conservatory Green at northeast Denver’s Northfield Stapleton development, this vendor-driven event is expecting another 50,000 attendees (give or take) over two days to peruse hundreds of artists selling everything from paintings, jewelry, clay and ceramics to fiber, furniture, leather, glass and wood products. Wine, beer, food and livemusic details for this free, family-friendly event are available at denverartsfestival.com. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 25 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 26. Memorial Day Observance Concert. May 26;
Bandshell at Boulder Central Park, 1236 Canyon Blvd. in Boulder; boulderband.org
This free, 11:30 a.m. performance from the Boulder Concert Band — which takes place amid the larger Boulder Creek Festival — honors America’s military sacrifices with music director Silas Nathaniel Huff and guest conductor Colonel Thomas H. Palmatier, the latter a well-traveled and decorated military musician whose performances span all 50 states. Bolder Boulder 10k.
May 27; Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave. in Boulder; bolderboulder.com
Boasting more than 1 million participants since 1979, Boulder’s internationally known 10k/party is looking at 50,000 or so attendees and just as many spectators at University of Colorado’s Folsom Field. From the first qualifying wave at 6:55 a.m. to the noon Memorial Day tribute — featuring an F-16 flyover and skydivers — entertainment abounds. Dancers, DJS, painters, aerialists and bagpipers will entertain runners and spectators along the course, and plenty of food, drink and family-friendly activities will be available. Run, Walk or Ruck.
May 26; Grist Brewing, 9150 Commerce Center Circle, Suite 300 in Highlands Ranch; rockymountainbrewruns.com
If the Bolder Boulder seems too intimidating, try this low-key, 4(ish)-mile course from Rocky Mountain Brew Runs. Veterans and active duty service members save $5 on regis
tration. Packet pick-up starts 8:45 a.m., and the race is followed by an 11:15 a.m. after party with Beer Olympics at Grist Brewing. Arrive early before the race for a free, 30-minute warm-up workout hosted by Manic Training. The course weaves through trails and paths in Highlands Ranch open space with mountain views, according to organizers. $35 registration. Kid- and dogfriendly. South Gaylord Memorial Weekend Festival.
May 26-27; 1000 South Gaylord St.; oldsouthgaylord.com
This free, 40th annual event brings food, drinks, local vendors, rides and other family-friendly entertainment to the Washington Park area for a full weekend of outdoor celebration. The event kicks off with live music on May 25, followed by the full festival 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 26 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 27. Look for public yoga, bluegrass, School of Rock performances and more to fill the main-event slots.