Food, Festivals and Fun for the Kids!
June 15, 2017
Kids (and their parents) will find no shortage of fun near the lakeside community of Southshore this weekend! Eat a smorgasbord of authentic Greek food, take a summer safari or laugh yourself silly at the most popular comedy moms on the internet. The fun things to do are all up to you!
TODAY/TONIGHT! Thursday, June 15
CIVIC CENTER EATS
Delicious food, fresh air, gorgeous views, live music and a great cause – the Civic Center Park’s revitalization efforts. The largest metro-Denver gathering of gourmet food trucks shows off the culinary and entrepreneurial to downtown employees, residents, and visitors. Enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch, listen to live music and connect with the community — and the trucks are back next Tuesday and Wednesday!
Civic Center Park, Colfax and Broadway, Denver
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-861-4633
CUB CLUB EVENT: GREEN THUMBS
The experts from Nick’s Garden will bring armfuls of flowers to the Denver International Schoolhouse and teach Cub Club members about the importance of pollinator plants@ Kids will plant snapdragons and zinnias (to take home!) and learn about the role of bumble bees and butterflies, followed by a story time, hearing the book Airplanes in the Garden read. RSVP here and don’t forget your Cub Club membership card, or sign up to enroll your kids!
Southlands Mall, 6295 S. Main St., Ste. B113, Aurora
4:00-5:00 p.m.
SUMMER SAFARI CAMP
This summer, campers will puzzle out some of our planet’s most exciting challenges! How can we ensure each animal gets what it needs? How do you track the nearly invisible? What role will YOU play once you’ve uncovered the secret connections that hold our world together? Kids connect with animals through zoo exploration, up-close animal experiences, engineering challenges, nature play, and special camp-only zoo opportunities. The camps run weekly and have a variety of activities for different ages – pre-kindergarten through eighth grade – with varying tuition rates.
The Denver Zoo
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $160 (half-day)-$370 (full-day)
Phone: 720-337-1400
WORLD CINEMA NIGHT
Are you a cine-maniac? Join fellow film fans for an exploration of movie gems, both new and old, from around the world. Showing this month, the 1983 flamenco-infused production of Carmen, all about the backstage events at the rehearsals of Bizet’s 1875 opera. You’ll be enthralled by the sultry female cigarette factory worker and the choreographer who falls madly in love with her. The movie is rated R and lasts 102 minutes.
Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Cir., Centennial
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-542-7279
Friday, June 16
NIGHT AT THE AQUARIUM
It’s Summer Family Night at the aquarium, with mystic mermaid shows, marine animal interaction and shows, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and much more. Kids’ meals (ages 10 and under) are $3.99 at the restaurant, and discounted admissions are given with restaurant receipts.
Denver Aquarium, 700 Water St., Denver
5:00-9:00 p.m.
Costs: $3.99-$13
KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
It’ll be the last Kids’ Night Out again at the Wheatlands Clubhouse this weekend as The Lakehouse wraps up its renovations. Kids can enjoy dinner and the Disney movie: Finding Dory. The 2016 animated film features Dory, a super forgetful fish, who can only remember that she was separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find her mom and dad. For ages “potty-trained” to 10 years old.
Wheatlands Clubhouse, 6601 S. Wheatlands Pkwy, Aurora, CO
6:00-10:00 p.m.
$15 for one child; $10 each additional child
Phone: 720-870-2221
Friday-Sunday, June 16-19
2017 GREEK FESTIVAL
It’s a weekend of food, fanfare and fun at the Greek Festival where the spanakopita, souvlakia and gyros will melt in your mouth and leave you craving dessert!
Don’t miss the baklava, honey balls, creamy custards and butter cookies, or the entertainment! With Greek dancers, an orthodox choir and traditional Greek musicians performing throughout the weekend, there’s also a Greek boutique featuring vendors from around the country. The festival is traditional, authentic and loads of fun!
Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E. Alameda Ave., Denver
Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3-$64
AND…THEY’RE OFF!
If you loved watching Almost Dreaming win the Kentucky Derby, get yourself over to a live horse race at Arapahoe Park. With races Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all ages are welcome – kids included — but you must be 18 years old to place a bet. Dads get in free on Father’s Day, and can load up at the annual Father’s Day food buffet — buy one buffet meal and dad eats for free!
Arapahoe Park Mile High Racing, 10750 E. Iliff Ave., in Aurora
Admission: $1-$5
FREE WILL VS. PREDESTINATION?
Sisyphus the Musical is an entertaining portrayal of the paradox between human free will and predestination Sisyphus must accept his role as leader, teach the citizens of Corinth to embrace free will and their humanity despite the wrath of the gods. Don’t miss the final performances this weekend.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$24
Phone: 303-739-1970
IT’S ONLY A PLAY
It’s the opening night of a new play and everyone is anxiously waiting to see if the show succeeds or fails. It’s Only a Play, by Terrance McNally, zeroes in on the playwright’s endangered career as he shares his angst with the new producer, a loopy diva, the gifted director, a scathing drama critic and a naïve coat-check attendant. For audiences aged 17 and older due to graphic language.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat./Mon, 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$30
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, June 17
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE!
For kids ages 8 to 17, the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum offers free flights so kids can experience the thrill of flying.
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
12:00-5:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-360-5360 x105
FINANCIAL LITERACY
If you’re drowning in debt there’s a way to break the debt cycle. Learn how avoid financial pitfalls, take steps to reduce debt, find strategies to improve your credit report and score and understand both the benefits and the costs of credit. The seminar is free and open to the public.
Fitzsimons Credit Union, 2201 N. Fitzsimons Pkwy, Aurora
6:00-7:00 p.m.
HISTORIC JUNETEENTH WEEKEND
The Juneteenth Music Festival, which annually commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., will feature a concert with Slick Rick, an American/British rapper who has collaborated with Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah and Outkast. A parade will kick off the weekend celebration at the Manual High School parking lot at 9:00 a.m., with a variety of activities to follow, including a job fair, youth event and the evening concert.
Five Points Neighborhood, 26th St. and Welton St., Denver
6:30 p.m.
CENTURY BIKE RIDE
The eighth annual Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride offers four urban routes of 100 miles, 50 miles and 25 miles for local cycling enthusiasts. Based on the notion that cycling is not just a sport but a way of life, the founders of the Denver Century Ride developed routes that allow cyclists to discover street cycling in Denver as a fun and enjoyable experience. Stick around for the post-ride celebration with food, beer, and live entertainment at the street party at the Shops of Northfield Stapleton!
Shops at Northfield Stapleton, 8340 Northfield Blvd., Denver
6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $30-$96
Monday/Wednesday, June 19/21
WATER AEROBICS
Total Body Aqua Fitness is a fun aerobic water workout and a great way to improve muscle strength, endurance and flexibility without over-stressing your joints. This class is for all levels and ages and less monotonous than swimming (sorry Katie Ledecky!). The workout uses an endless variety of movements that will feel good to your muscles and joints every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at The Lakehouse. Aerobicizers are encouraged to wear water shoes and bring a water bottle to hydrate!
The Lakehouse Pool, 1600 Joliet St., Aurora
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Phone: 720-870-2221
Wednesday, June 21
SUMMER IN THE CITY
The city of Aurora invites you to get the kids outside this summer at the Summer in the City event. The newly expanded happening is just for kids and offers free healthy snacks, inflatables, board and field games, an opportunity to try golf and/or watch a gymnastics team perform. Come to the park and discover all the programs that the city offers during this busy season in the sun.
Spencer Garrett Park, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
KIDTOPIA
Kidtopia Animal Day is a children’s event for ages 3 to 10 with special guests from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Nature’s Educators, Aurora Animal Shelter, Wild Life Sanctuary and Miniature Pony Rides. With complimentary face painting, bounce houses and more, your kids won’t want to miss the animals at the mall!
Southlands Shopping Center/Town Square, Aurora, CO
5:30-7:30 p.m.
COMEDY MOMS ON TOUR
Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley have been performing, teaching, and writing comedy internationally for a combined 40 years, and their hilarious #IMomSoHard YouTube videos have earned them celebrity status among moms throughout the country. These two LA-based mothers laugh (and make you laugh about) about all of the craziness that comes with motherhood. From snot and stretchmarks to sleepless nights with sick kids, Kristin and Jen know firsthand that parenting is a hard job and they invite you to join them in taking it all a little less seriously during their U.S. tour.
Paramount Theater, 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35.75-$45.75
Phone: 303-623-0106
Kids Love Southshore!
Kids love Aurora’s premier master-planned community, which offers lakeside living plus easy access to recreation and entertainment! Tour the new models from Richmond American Homes, and the latest designs from Century Communities in The Hills at Southshore. It’s life at the lake priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.