Memorial Day in and around Castle Rock!
There’s a full range of Memorial Day activities going on all weekend, from 5K runs to patriotic ceremonies to remember our heroes. Memorial Day Weekend is also the unofficial start of summer, and there are plenty of fun, family-friendly outdoor events happening, too. The first of the FREE Culture on the Green performances welcomes the International Youth Ballet company performing Peter Pan in Civic Green Park, or maybe you’d like to find out everything you need to know about planting a butterfly garden!
Thursday-Friday, May 23-24
POTTERY SALE
Local artisans have been hard at work, designing and creating exquisite hand-crafted pottery, and this is your chance to peruse their wares and perhaps purchase some for yourself or as a unique gift.
The annual Arts and Enrichment pottery sale offers pieces that provide excellent home décor accents. For nearly a decade, proceeds from the sales have been reinvested back to pottery programs to help purchase needed equipment and supplies.
Castle Rock Recreation Center, 2301 N. Woodlands Blvd., Castle Rock
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-660-1036
Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25
TOUR A CASTLE!
Kick off Memorial Day weekend in style—by visiting a castle! Cherokee Castle’s unique architecture combines aspects of the Western United States and a 1450’s Scottish-style castle built in the 1920’s. The Castle is home to historic collections of fine art, furnishings and memorabilia from around the world.
This guided 90-minute tour is an intimate look at one of Colorado’s finest hidden gems. Fans of the arts, education, and conservation will appreciate the many aspects of this local treasure. Bring the family or a group of friends to help celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer like royalty!
Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
9:30 a.m.
Tickets: $20
Phone: 303-688-5555
Thursday-Sunday, May 23-26
MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD
What if you could see all the intricate details of life going on around you and in you? How cool would that be? Now you have the opportunity to do just that with National Geographic’s stunning new 3D movie, Mysteries of the Unseen World.
Cutting-edge technology takes you on a journey where no one has ever been before, in the microscopic world where all life begins! You will be awe-struck at these images and moved by their inherent beauty. See what’s contained in the air you breathe, what’s on your own body, and what’s in all of the events that occur around you every minute. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation of science—and life.
CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$12
Phone: 303-315-9444
BARNUM ON STAGE!
Long before The Greatest Showman ever hit movie theaters, the life of P.T. Barnum was celebrated Broadway musical-style. The classic Tony Award-winning American musical, Barnum, is a day under the Big Top, with the thrill of live theatre. It comes closer to the real spirit of a circus than anything you’ll come across, with a compelling narrative about the colorful characters who bring the circus to life!
The New York Times says it’s “pure, exhilarating fun”—perfect entertainment for the whole family! You’ll be stepping right up to see the jugglers, acrobats, clowns, and the first ringleader of them all—Mr. P.T. Barnum! This production has been updated with a fresh look but the original spirit of the show shines on! Fans of the circus and the theatre will love this exciting show!
Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$45
Phone: 719-634-5581
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT COMEDIAN
First seen as a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2018, then in a recent appearance on AGT’s Champions’ Edition, Samuel J. Comroe knows how to make people laugh. He’s done his stand-up routine all over the country and has over 75,000 subscribers on YouTube. Comroe’s comedy is based on observational material based on his life experiences, including the trials and tribulations of living with Tourette Syndrome since being diagnosed at age six.
Comroe made his television debut on TBS’ Conan and has appeared on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. He is also the winner of Ricky Gervais’ Comedy Competition and the San Francisco Comedy Competition.
Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$25
Phone: 720-274-6800
Friday, May 24
CULTURE ON THE GREEN
Highlands Ranch’s dedication to the arts is apparent in this inspiring series of FREE summer entertainment, perfect for the entire family! The setting couldn’t be lovelier: beautiful Civic Green Park!
The first professional group to grace the stage is the International Youth Ballet with their performance of Peter Pan! Pack a picnic and find a spot on the lawn to enjoy the antics of Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they journey with the original boy-hero, Peter Pan! Leave some room for dessert—the dancers will also be holding a bake sale to help support their upcoming performances!
Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Saturday, May 25
FREEDOM FEST AND RUN
The perfect way to honor a vet, help feed homeless veterans, run a 5K, 10K or 30K, and enjoy a full day’s lineup of great live bands, vendors, a beer garden, and more! This FREE festival is the biggest Memorial Day celebration in the area and raises money for Colorado’s homeless vets. This family-friendly event is a great place to get to know your neighbors and larger community.
Feeling competitive? You can take part in a friendly race suited to your level of running—5K, 10K, or the 30K “Ruck March” where you carry a backpack filled with 25 pounds of food to donate to the cause. Don’t feel like running? Hang out at the party and listen to a full day of music with bands including The Last Patrol Band, Yellow Dog Blues Band, Buckstein, and The Hoodoos.
Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Race Registration: $40-$60; Party: FREE
Phone: 720-425-2978
BUTTERFLY GARDENING
When you plant the right shrubs and perennials to attract bunches of butterflies, you’re also inviting bees, hummingbirds, and songbirds to your garden! To make your backyard a popular destination for all of these beautiful and beneficial creatures, check out this FREE workshop that helps you choose which plants will best support pollinators.
Local landscape designer and consultant Linda Ziraldo will cover a palate of perennials and shrubs that are pollen and nectar-rich—just what the birds, bees, and butterflies are looking for! She’ll even go over plant combinations and the best placement for maximum effect!
Highlands Garden Center, 8080 S. Holly St., Centennial
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-220-5856
Sunday, May 26
MEMORIAL DAY BREW RUN!
What could be more fun than a 4-ish mile run to celebrate Memorial Day—with a cold one waiting at the finish line! This run isn’t fussy or competitive—it brings together runners and athletes in all conditions, ages, and shapes—who all happen to be beer lovers!
Don your favorite red, white, and blue apparel and choose whether you want to run or walk to the finish line! The course takes place on trails and paths through Highlands Ranch open space, with great views of the snow capped Rocky Mountains. Dogs, kids, and strollers are welcome (though they obviously don’t get a beer). Kids under 12 run for free!
Grist Brewing, 9150 Commerce Center Cir., Suite 300, Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m.
Registration: $35
UP AND COMING SUPERSTAR
Ali Wong may not be a household name…yet, but with every one of her raw, honest and hilarious comedy projects, she manages to unite a larger and larger base of unlikely fans. Across the board, all kinds of people acknowledge her comedic skills as genius.
Her first Netflix comedy special, Baby Cobra, was filmed when she was 7 months pregnant and earned her accolades from New York Magazine, Elle, Vogue, and Marc Maron on his WTF podcast. Wong has walked the runway during New York Fashion Week and is a cast member of Kate Spade’s Miss Adventure films. Most recently, she just completed her first feature film, Always Be My Maybe, which she co-wrote and co-stars in with Randall Park.
Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75
719-520-SHOW
Monday, May 27
CASTLE ROCK MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE
“We will never forget.” Castle Rock honors Douglas County veterans in a ceremony featuring Mayor Jason Gray. Hosted by the American Legion Harry C Miller Post 1187, the commemoration will be patriotic and inspiring, as fallen heroes are named and remembered.
Cedar Hill Cemetery, 880 E. Wolfensberger Rd., Castle Rock
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Information: FREE
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE IN PARKER
This is the day to honor and remember veterans who have so valiantly served our country. The annual Memorial Day Veterans’ Service of Remembrance in Parker will feature an F-16 Aircraft Flyover by the Colorado Air National Guard, a presentation of the US Flag to Honor Guard by Douglas County Harley Owners’ Group, and a performance of patriotic songs by the Parker Chorale.
Mayor Mike Waid of Parker will open the ceremony, and retired U.S. Army Colonel Lindy Blackburn will deliver an inspirational speech. A 21-gun salute will honor the list of veterans names read aloud in a moving tribute. Bring your own chair and umbrella for shade, and please note that inclement weather will cancel the event.
Parker Cemetery, 10375 S. Parker Rd., Parker
10:00 a.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-841-2405
Family-friendly activities in the Crystal Valley area!
There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Crystal Valley! Enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of Castle Rock and surrounding area where cultural and entertainment activities abound! Check out the beautiful model homes from Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, and Century Communities, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the $300s.
