DENVER — This first weekend in May truly kicks off summer in Colorado.
One of the world's biggest Cinco de Mayo festivals is back in downtown Denver this weekend and Dumb Friends League's Furry Scurry returns to Washington Park.
The "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports" gets underway Saturday afternoon with watch parties planned across the state and Ryan Gosling's "The Fall Guy" kicks off the summer movie calendar.
No matter where you live in Colorado, there's a unique experience waiting for you this weekend.
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Furry Scurry
DENVER — Grab a leash and put on your walking shoes, the 31st annual Furry Scurry will be held Saturday. The Furry Scurry is the largest fundraiser for Dumb Friends League, which cares for more than 44,000 animals each year. Participants can walk, run or scurry while helping homeless pets and horses at the Dumb Friends League. This year, people can gather in person on May 4 or walk from afar between now and May 24. Participants can register as an individual or create a team with family, friends or coworkers near and far. Furry Scurry registration can be completed at at ddfl.org.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
DENVER — One of the largest Cinco de Mayo events in the world is back this weekend in downtown Denver. Civic Center Park will again be home to the sights, sounds, eats and culture for the 35th annual Cinco De Mayo ‘Celebrate Culture’ festival on Saturday and Sunday. This weekend's festival will have a parade, three stages of musical and dance performances, chihuahua races, a taco-eating contest, a lowrider car show, food and drink, kids’ activities, artisans and crafters. The annual Cinco de Mayo Community Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Denver's City and County Building.
City Park Farmers Market
DENVER — The City Park Farmers Market opens Saturday for a fourth season. The market will have more than 100 vendors offering a variety of local Colorado produce and products from area farmers, food producers and agriculture-based brands. The market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. Other activations include a run club at 8 a.m., donation-based yoga at 9 a.m. and live music from local acts.
Supercross
DENVER — AMA Supercross returns to Denver this weekend. The supercross series will race at Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Race organizers said the event will bring together elite athletes to compete in the world’s most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing series. Eli Tomac, a native of Cortez, Colorado, was the Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion in 2022. For tickets, head to Ticketmaster.com.
Kentucky Derby
COLORADO — The "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports" is the unofficial kickoff to summer. The 150th annual Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. on NBC. The race will be celebrated at watch parties across Colorado. Be sure to tune your televisions to 9NEWS by 4:09 p.m. Saturday when the Kentucky Derby contenders will talk from their barn to the paddock for the race.
Samson and Delilah
DENVER — Opera Colorado closes its 41st anniversary season with a production of "Samson and Delilah." The production opens Saturday at Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver and plays through Sunday, May 12. "Samson and Delilah" tells the story of Samson, a man gifted with immense strength, and his relationship with Delilah, a woman who betrays him by revealing the secret of his strength to his enemies. This will be the first time this French opera has been performed at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House since 1987. For tickets and showtimes, visit OperaColorado.org.
The Cher Show
DENVER — The Tony Award-winning musical of Cher's story has arrived in Colorado for the first time. "The Cher Show" tells the story of the unstoppable force that has pushed boundaries and broken down cultural barriers for six decades with 35 hit songs. "The Cher Show" only plays the Buell Theatre in Denver from Friday to Sunday.
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Fruita Fat Tire Festival
FRUITA — The annual Fruita Fat Tire Festival will be held from Friday to Sunday in downtown Fruita. Mountain bike enthusiasts from around the region flock to Fruita to celebrate the passion and lifestyle of the sport. There will be live bands on Friday and Saturday to accompany one of the top cycling expos in the state. To see a complete schedule of events, visit FruitaFatTireFestival.com.
Estes Park Duck Race Festival
ESTES PARK — The 36th annual Estes Park Duck Race Festival returns Saturday at Fall River outside Nicky's Resort. With a goal of helping local charities and organizations, the process is simple: adopt a duck for $25 and $23 goes to charity. The race has grown to be one of the biggest duck races in the country with 10,000 ducks being adopted and hundreds of prizes for the winners. Adopt a duck today at EPDuckRace.org.
Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival
CAÑON CITY — The 86th annual Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival parade is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. on Main Street between 3rd Street and 14th Street with marching bands, floats, food and fun. The Blossoms in the Park Craft Fair & Kids Zone will have craft vendors, kids' activities, amusement rides, plus live music on Saturday and Sunday in Veterans Park. To see a complete schedule, visit CCBlossomFestival.com.
Halfway to Halloween
DENVER — Halloween doesn’t come just once a year at 13th Floor Denver. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group has brought back its spring pop-up haunted house experience “Halfway to Halloween.” Returning Friday and Saturday only, guests can experience the adrenaline rush of a haunted house without having to wait until fall. With meticulously crafted sets, jaw-dropping special effects, and talented actors, Halfway to Halloween is sure to leave you trembling and counting down the days to Halloween. This event may be too intense for children under 12.
Colorado National Speedway
DACONO — Race fans, rejoice! Colorado National Speedway begins its 2024 season Saturday night. Located just north of Denver along Interstate 25, Colorado National Speedway is a 3/8-mile paved oval track that features fierce short-track competition. Saturday nights at CNS are family-friendly, highly-entertaining and affordable. Qualifying begins at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m. with pro truck, late model, legends and bandolero races on the schedule. If you don't know what that all means, don't worry. You'll love it. Tickets are available at ColoradoSpeedway.com.
TheBigWonderful
DENVER — TheBigWonderful kicks off the season with the 10th annual Derby Party on Saturday at Belleview Station in the Denver Tech Center. The festival will have live bluegrass, craft beer, ciders, cocktails, food trucks, shopping and outdoor games celebrating the best of Colorado. TheBigWonderful encourage attendees to don their Derby best for all the festivities, plus a live stream of the Kentucky Derby.
Colorado Springs Pet Expo
COLORADO SPRINGS — The show for pets and pet parents is back. The Colorado Springs Pet Expo runs Friday to Sunday at the Colorado Springs Event Center. Tickets are $8 and kids under 16 are free.
Origins: Building Life
WESTMINSTER — Butterfly Pavilion opens its new exhibit to the public on Friday. "Origins: Building Life" will provide guests with a unique opportunity to see how all animal life is connected, starting with the Cambrian Explosion over 500 million years ago. The groundbreaking exhibit explores this pivotal moment, showcasing the emergence of prehistoric creatures that shaped life as we know it today. The exhibit features virtual reality adventures, 3D holograms and encounters with animal descendants.
Colorado Potters Guild Sale
ENGLEWOOD — The bi-annual Colorado Potters Guild Sale runs Thursday through Saturday. The event at First Plymouth Congregational Church offers pottery, home décor, jewelry, and garden art all made by the guild's members. Attendees can browse thousands of unique, locally made pieces of ceramic art and meet the makers too. Admission is free.
SeriesFest
DENVER — The international festival and non-profit organization SeriesFest is back this weekend with its goal of championing emerging and underserved voices in storytelling. The annual six-day festival in Denver offers in-competition screenings, panels, workshops, sneak peeks, and television premieres. SeriesFest opens Wednesday and continues through Sunday. Explore the full schedule at SeriesFest.com.
Salute to the Southwest
DENVER — Young Voices of Colorado’s spring concert, "Salute to the Southwest," sets the stage for a musical journey at the Newman Center. Audiences can anticipate hearing a range of repertoire selections inspired by the Southwest. From Native American songs to soulful ballads, each piece has been meticulously chosen to captivate and inspire listeners of all ages. The concert is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.
Great American Horse Drive
MAYBELL — The annual Sombrero Ranches' Great American Horse Drive sees 600 to 800 ranch horses trot through the heart of Maybell, Colorado. The horse drive begins on Saturday in Brown's Park and goes through Maybell on Sunday, sometime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Be sure to head to Maybell early enough to be safely out of the way of the horses, wranglers, cowboys and cowgirls as they travel to the Craig ranch for the riding season.
WOW! Children’s Museum Book Festival
LAFAYETTE — WOW! Children’s Museum presents the first ever WOW! Children’s Museum Book Festival on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. WOW! will be hosting more than 20 published children’s book authors. Authors will be on hand for readings, autographs and activities, and books will be available for purchase. Admission to the festival is free with museum admission or membership and financial assistance is available.
Commerce City Pancake Breakfast
COMMERCE CITY — The 38th annual Commerce City Pancake Breakfast is set for Saturday. Breakfast will be served at the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. On the menu are pancakes, sausage links, fruit, and sweet maple syrup. A family affair that's perfect for children, this annual event raises money for active adult scholarships in Commerce City.
Taco Trot 5K and Spring Flea Market
FORT CARSON — The Directorate of Family, Welfare and Recreation is combining the Spring Flea Market and The Taco Trot run on Saturday at Fort Carson's Iron Horse Park. The race starts at 9 a.m., the 1-mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and both are designed to promote health/fitness and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Free registration is available for the run/walk. The event will also feature entertainment by DJ Prince. The events are open the Fort Carson community, all Department of Defense ID card holders and those who can access installation.
Colorado Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K
FORT COLLINS — The hardiest Colorado runners will be in Fort Collins on Sunday for the Colorado Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Registration for the races can be completed at COMarathon.com.
5K Glow Run
LAKEWOOD — GiGi’s Playhouse Denver is hosting its second annual GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge 5K Glow Run on Saturday to advocate and create awareness for the local Down syndrome community. The 5K Glow Run event will feature a one-mile walk, a Kids Dash for Down syndrome, and a 5K timed race. Attendees will also enjoy music, games, refreshments, and community partners at the resource fair. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park.
Walk MS
DENVER — Take the first step towards a world without multiple sclerosis at the annual Walk MS at Denver's City Park. The walk gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Register online here.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk
DENVER — The Best Buddies Friendship Walk, the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is at Denver's Washington Park this Sunday. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:15 a.m. Register online at BestBuddiesFriendshipWalk.org.
Greenland Trail Race
LARKSPUR — The Greenland Trail Race offers four distances in southern Douglas County. Run the 4 Mile, the 8 Mile, the 25K or tackle the 50K ultramarathon, Colorado’s fastest 50K. This trail race is great for beginners and veterans alike. With Pikes Peak as your backdrop, you’ll cruise over a soft dirt trail on your way to a new personal best.
Emma
DENVER — The Denver Center for the Performing Arts closes its Theatre Company production "Emma" at the Wolf Theatre on Sunday. The production is a new and unconventional adaption of Jane Austen's classic comedy. A bit zany and refreshingly contemporary, playwright Kate Hamill infuses the language and perspectives of today into Austen’s beloved characters. "Emma" will be performed through Sunday.
Noises Off
ARVADA — The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities' final production of the season is the comedy "Noises Off." Get ready for barely-controlled chaos and flying sardines in this play that takes a trip behind-the-scenes of a flop of a play and shows what happens when everything that can go wrong does. "Noises Off" plays the Main Stage Theatre through Sunday.
Where Did We Sit On The Bus?
DENVER — Nine-year-old Bee Quijada sits in a suburban classroom. During a history lesson on Rosa Parks, she asks, "Where did Latinos sit on the bus?" What follows in the one-person show "Where Did We Sit On The Bus?" is a theatrical mixtape of Bee’s life. The drama plays the Singleton Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex through Sunday, June 2. For tickets and showtimes, visit DenverCenter.org.
Shadowlands
LOUISVILLE — Coal Creek Theater of Louisville opens its newest production on Friday. Written by William Nicholson and directed by Dan Schock, "Shadowlands" is a West End and Broadway hit telling the love story of C.S. Lewis, Oxford don and author of "The Chronicles of Narnia," and American poet Joy Davidman. "Shadowlands" plays the Coal Creek Theater of Louisville at the Louisville Center for the Arts through Saturday, May 18.
Red Rocks
DENVER — There is no better venue for live music in the country than Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The Red Rocks 2024 concert schedule (announced so far) is still growing and this spring and summer looks to be one for the record books.
- Wednesday, May 1 - Two Friends
- Thursday, May 2 - Trevor Noah
- Friday, May 3 - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
- Saturday, May 4 - Mersiv
- Sunday, May 5 - SeriesFest with Hasan Minhaj
- Monday, May 6 - Hippo Campus
Orcas: Our Shared Future
DENVER — The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has opened its newest temporary exhibition: "Orcas: Our Share Future." The exhibition traces the evolution of our beliefs about orcas, from fear to admiration and awe, as we discover their intelligence and complex social structures. At the exhibition, visitors will see a life-sized replica of an orca family, inviting guests to witness their harmonies in an immersive underwater environment. Guests will also learn about the Indigenous peoples of North America’s Northwest Coast, whose respect for orcas is reflected in their art and traditions.
Movies this weekend
The sexy tennis drama “Challengers” won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales last weekend. Starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor in a love triangle, the movie should become Italian director Luca Guadagnino's highest grossing film, surpassing “Call Me By Your Name.”
This weekend the summer movie season kicks off with the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy “The Fall Guy.”
Opening this weekend
- The Fall Guy
- Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (rerelease)
- Tarot
- Nowhere Special
- Dragonkeeper
- Thabo and the Rhino Case
- Wildcat
Last weekend's box office
- “Challengers,” $15 million.
- “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million.
- “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million.
- “Civil War,” 7 million.
- “Abigail,” $5.3 million.
- “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million
- “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million.
- “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million.
- “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million.
- “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.
> Would you like to see your favorite Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, drama, musical, ballet, run or event listed in 9Things? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
Have an superb weekend!
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