44 W E S T W O R D S u m m e r G u i d e 2 0 2 6 westword.com June 27-28: Cherry Blossom Festival: Live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace and informative exhibits will come together for this event honoring Japanese heritage and cul- ture. Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. Sakura Square, 1255 19th Street, cherryblossomdenver.org. June 29-July 3: Creepaway Camp: Some of the most exciting voices in horror fi ction will host author talks, writing work- shops, book signings and slasher-themed shenanigans during this immersive campout. Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3, $350 single night ticket ($1,250 all-access pass). La Foret Conference and Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Colorado Springs, creepawaycamp.com. JULY July 2: Stars and Stripes Forever: Symphony of the Rockies will perform a patriotic lineup during this event featuring a drone light show, great food and craft beer. Thursday, July 2, 7 to 10 p.m., $43.14 ($14.78 for children ages 2 to 12). Breckenridge Brewery Farm House, 2990 Brewery Lane, Littleton, breckbrew.com. July 2-12: Breckenridge Wildfl ower Week: Experience peak blooms during this inaugural fest featuring plein air painting, guided hikes, creative workshops and nature education. Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 12, free and ticketed events. Multiple locations, Breckenridge, gobreck.com. July 3: Big Belmar Bash: A community celebration fi lled with music, food, family-friendly activities and a drone show fi nale. Friday, July 3, 5 to 9:30 p.m., free. The Plaza at Belmar, 439 South Upham Street, Lakewood, belmarcolorado.com. July 3: Red, White and Rock: Dance to ‘80s and ‘90s hits, sip on themed cocktails and cap off the evening with spectacular fi reworks. Friday, July 3, 5 to 9:30 p.m., $29.04 ($17.06 for children ages 3 to 12). Hudson Gardens and Event Center, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, hudsongardens.org. July 3-5: Cherry Creek Arts Festival: This 35th annual event will feature hundreds of artists from around the world, live performances and interactive all-ages experiences. Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free. Second Avenue from Clayton to Adams streets, cherryarts.org. July 4: Park Hill Parade: Floats, marching bands and costumed performers will participate in Denver’s largest Independence Day parade. Saturday, July 4, 1:30 p.m., free. 23rd Avenue from Dexter to Krameria streets, parkhillparade.com. July 4: 4thFEST: A family-friendly festival will precede two World Rugby Nations Cup games and the largest public fi reworks show in the state. Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m., free ($32-291.55 for rugby tickets). Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, c3gov.com. July 4-5: Broadmoor Traditions Fine Art Festival: Artists line a grassy courtyard during this polished outdoor show set against the historic Trianon mansion. Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free. The Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Avenue, Colorado Springs, coloradoartshows.com. July 4-19: Green Box Arts Festival: This year’s schedule includes visual art premieres, major performing arts events, classes, conversations and other experiences. Saturday, July 4 through Sunday, July 19, free and ticketed events. Multiple locations, Green Mountain Falls, greenboxarts.org. July 6-11: Rooftop Rodeo: Watch top contestants compete in the nation’s highest altitude rodeo. Monday, July 6 through Sat- urday, July 11, gates open nightly at 5 p.m., $29.48-$42.58 ($20.74 for children ages 3 to 12). 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, rooftoprodeo.com. July 9: Taste of Arvada: Sample more than fi fty restaurants, craft breweries, distilleries and coffee shops from across the metro area. Thursday, July 9, 6 to 8 p.m. (5 p.m. VIP entry), $41.50-$62.10 ($20.91 for children ages 3 to 12). Apex Center, 13150 West 72nd Avenue, Arvada, arvadachamber. org. July 9: Coming In Hot: Starring the nationally touring comedy show Moms Unhinged, this fundraiser for Boulder Valley Health Center focuses on menopause awareness, reproductive health access and community connection. Thursday, July 9, 7 to 9 p.m., $107.50-$507.50. Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, bouldervalleyhealth.org. July 10-12: Denver French Fest: A Bastille Day celebration featuring culinary experiences, market vendors, music and other elements of French culture. Friday, July 10, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free. Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore Street, denverfrenchfest.com. July 10-12: Colorado Black Arts Festival: This fortieth annual event celebrating Black culture will feature multiple performance stages and more than a hundred vendors, visual artists and community groups. Friday, July 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free. City Park West, colbaf.org. July 10-19: Crested Butte Wildfl ower Festival: Discover more than a hundred wildfl ower-inspired workshops, from art and culinary classes to guided hikes and Jeep adventures. Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 19, free and ticketed events. Multiple locations, Crested Butte, crestedbuttewild- fl owerfestival.org. July 11: Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival: Cheers to live music, mountain views and craft brews at this tasting event that coincides with the town’s fi rst annual Wildfl ower Week. Saturday, July 11, noon to 5 p.m. (11:45 a.m. VIP entry), $50- $125. Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, 620 Village Road, Breckenridge, summer.breckenridgebeerfestival.com. July 11: Colorado Brewers Rendezvous: The Arkansas River and dramatic Collegiate Peaks backdrop this highly anticipated craft beer festival. Saturday, July 11, 1 to 5 p.m. (noon VIP entry), $70.29-$139.56. Riverside Park, 170 East Sackett Avenue, Salida, coloradobeer.org. July 11: PickleMatch Block Party: All abilities are welcome at this social gathering featuring open play by level, a fast-paced challenge court, lawn games, music and giveaways. Saturday, July 11, 4 to 7 p.m., $17. Gates Tennis Center, 3300 East Bayaud Avenue, picklematch.co. July 11-12: Art in the Park: Browse nearly 150 booths at Northwest Colorado’s largest arts festival. Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. West Lincoln Park, 55 12th Street, Steamboat Springs, steamboatcreates.org. July 11-12: Winter Park Alpine ArtAffair: More than sixty worldwide artists will join this event featuring live music, local eats and interactive activities. Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free. Rendezvous Event Center, 78821 US-40, Winter Park, alpineartaffair.org. July 11-12: Silverthorne Fine Art Festival: A juried festival taking place in one the state’s newest certifi ed creative districts. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. Outlets at Silverthorne Plaza, 227 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne, mountainartfestivals.com.
