Crystal Valley Blog

Everywhere you look there are signs of spring, and this weekend celebrates it all! Get back to nature and maybe even get your hands dirty with an Earth Day celebration! You can make your own moss-ball garden, take a full moon hike, help plant some trees, or gather for a party. Easter is also this weekend, with plenty of Easter Bunny photo ops, egg hunts, and a joyful concert and service on Sunday at the Pikes Peak Center. 

TODAY/TONIGHT, April 18

MAKE A MOSS BALL GARDEN!
If you’re not already a Family Circle Member at the PACE Center in Parker, this is the perfect time to join! CLICK HERE to learn more about the benefits, including special events just for members, like this unique way to celebrate Earth Day—making your own Kokedama (Japanese moss ball garden).

This members-only event is for adults 18 and over, and includes a lovely Japanese tea with snacks and socializing. Experts from Tagawa Gardens will bring all the materials and show you in a step-by-step workshop how to do it. Price includes all supplies and food.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:00 p.m.
Reserve Tickets: $25 plus Membership
Phone: 303-805-6800

COUNTRY COMEDIAN RODNEY CARRINGTON
You may remember him from his popular TV sitcom from the early 2000s, Rodney, which ran for two seasons on ABC or maybe from his feature film Beer for My Horses, which he co-wrote and co-starred in with Toby Keith. His flair for combining country and comedy was showcased when he presented the American Country Awards in 2011 and hosted Fox’s American Country New Years Live show. In everything he does, Rodney Carrington is the real deal, and fans flock to see him do it.

As a standup comedian, Carrington has recorded eight major record label comedy albums, including his gold record, Morning Wood. Carrington has been one of the Top 10 highest grossing touring comedians for the last ten years and among the Top 5 the last several years. Don’t miss your chance to see this country comedy superstar!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs             
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $44 – $180
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20

TAYLOR WILLIAMSON’S GOT TALENT
From performing comedy while he was a senior in high school to the America’s Got Talent stage in Season 8, Taylor Williamson has been making people laugh and loving every minute of it for his entire adult life. When America’s Got Talent aired their 10-Year Anniversary Special, he was named one of the 5 favorite acts of all time.

Williamson has performed at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and was the youngest comedian to ever perform on The Late Late show with Craig Ferguson. Taylor has also appeared on MTV’s TRL, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Last Call with Carson Daly, and was a semi-finalist on the 7th season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He has just released his first comedy special, Please Like Me.

Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$24
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday-Sunday, April 18-21

PHOTOS WITH EASTER BUNNY
Hippity-hop over to Lone Tree to see who’s in town! Your little ones will love meeting and getting professional photos taken with the big Bunny himself!

There are two ways to participate—either reserve a space online or just show up!

Park Meadows Shopping Center, 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr.,
Lone Tree
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $29.99 – $35.99
Phone: 303-792-2533 

Friday, April 19

EXPLORE COLORADO NATURE
A wonderful hands-on learning experience for your second to fourth graders! As part of the Slick Science series of experiential workshops, this event gives kids the chance to explore the great outdoors and find out all kinds of fun facts about Colorado nature. The event is FREE, but registration is required.

Lone Tree Library, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

Saturday, April 20

EASTER BUNNY BREAKFAST
It’s a full morning of holiday fun including a yummy pancake breakfast, fun activities like face painting, music, and best of all, a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! Kids will receive their own set of bunny ears, which they can wear when they pose for pictures with the Easter Bunny. Photos are complimentary—just bring your own camera!

This festive morning is also a benefit to raise money for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, as they offer programs to help individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency. Your contribution will directly help vulnerable members of the community with nutrition, clothing, and shelter. 

Outlets at Castle Rock Food Court, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Tickets: $5 or food item for donation
Phone: 303-688-4495

EARTH DAY WILLOW PLANTING
This is a great way for families to spend quality time together, doing meaningful work, and celebrating Earth Day. Help restore the disturbed areas along Sellars Gulch in downtown Castle Rock by harvesting willow branches from the side of the stream above Festival Park and replanting them along Sellars Gulch in the park. 

Bring your work gloves, pruning shears, and hammers! This activity is appropriate for children over the age of 5 (with adult supervision).

Festival Park, 300 2nd St., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE PARK
Rain or shine (or even snow!), this outdoor Easter egg hunt will go on! Head on over to Highlands Ranch with your Easter baskets to collect all the goodies you can find. This is a family event with the egg hunt for children ages 1 to 11 years old. Rumor has it the Easter Bunny will even be making an appearance! The event is FREE but be on time—the hunt starts at 10:00 a.m. SHARP!

Northridge Park, 8801 Broadway, Highlands Ranch
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Information: FREE

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT THE RANCH
Cherokee Ranch is offering FREE information sessions to educate the community about  green and sustainable efforts from local Douglas County organizations and resources. You’ll have a chance to explore trends in energy and water conservation, wildlife, landscape practices, recycling and green home care. There will also be a kids’ corner, with an ecology-themed story and craft to take home.

A limited number of hikers will be taken on a guided tour of the unique flora and fauna of the ranch surrounding the Cherokee Castle. Be sure to sign up in advance for the hike since there is a limited capacity for hike groups. Hikes will be conducted weather and ground conditions permitting. 

Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
11:00 a.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-688-5555

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW
Everyone will be trying to figure out whodunnit in this quintessential thriller, Best Laid Plans! As you dine at the elegant Cherokee Castle, you’ll be engaged in solving a murder, as presented by the talented cast of actors who play the suspects and witnesses. 

You have arrived at the the estate of Sir Warren Peace, where you are thrown into a night of mystery, intrigue, and murder that you will never forget. Everyone is on their toes, waiting for the murder to happen. Gather clues and bribe suspects to get the upper hand, while looking over your shoulder the whole time to be sure you aren’t the next victim! Castle tours and and Italian buffet dinner precede the show.

Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $80
Phone: 303-688-5555

DANCE FOR A DIFFERENCE
Every year, the Colorado School of Dance pairs up with the Children’s Hospital Colorado to present a very special show, Dance for a Difference. This year’s theme is I Am, centered around the children making a difference for other children. Dance for a Difference is a platform for local children, ages 5 to 18, to make a real difference in their communities and gather support for the Children’s Hospital.  

This year, the dancers from the Colorado School of Dance will perform every style of dance, from hip hop to contemporary, tap to jazz, and even musical theatre and lyrical. This family-friendly show is geared for all ages. All ticket proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$28
Phone: 303-805-6800

FULL MOON HIKE
Get up close and personal with nocturnal animals! Leave your flashlight behind and let the full moon guide you on this hike in the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Look and listen for sights and sounds from all kinds of night creatures! A naturalist will share how humans and animals see in the darkness versus the daylight, and how your eyes may not be able to see what’s really out there. Ages 7+ recommended. 

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $4 – $8
Phone: 303-471-7043

Sunday, April 21

EASTER CHANGED EVERYTHING
The story of Easter is really a story of renewal and hope: this religious service and concert is a joyful celebration of the cornerstone of Christian faith. Calvary Worship Center will be providing Easter Services at Pikes Peak Center, featuring worship music by artists from People & Songs.

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs             
8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Happy Easter from Crystal Valley!

You know it’s spring when the Easter Bunny makes his rounds and leaves little egg-shaped treats for the wee ones! In the master-planned community of Crystal Valley, we’re celebrating spring by getting back to nature and reveling in our Castle Rock digs. Check out the beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes and Richmond American Homes, in ranch and two-story models. It’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home here, priced from the $300s!