If you're looking for something easy, inexpensive and accessible to do this summer, why not consider some local options? Many of the cities within the metro area offer myriad festivals and activities. Exhibit A: Golden.
Golden's biggest, more definitive summer festival is Buffalo Bill Days, taking place this year from July 27 to 31. The city sees thousands of visitors for the five-day celebration, which includes a golf tournament at nearby Fossil Trace, a duck race, a kiddie train, live music and myriad vendors and merchants. The even has its origins going back to the 1940s, when Buffalo Bill was commemorated with a mass horseback ride up to his grave. In the 1960s, the annual event was retooled and expanded to promote Golden. The focus of Buffalo Bill Days is usually the elaborate parade, which features an equine emphasis and takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30. On July 31 parents can marvel at the amusement of their children during the Muttin Bustin' event, which is open to children between 5 and 7 and fewer than 60 pounds. Buffalo Bill Days includes its own classic car show, on July 31, which is open to vehicles pre-1971. There's no charge, but proof of insurance must be presented. The show is augmented by the "Orphan" car show, which is open to vehicles whose manufacturers no longer exist, e.g. DeLorean, Hudson, Kaiser, Fraser, Studebaker, et al.
Nationally recognized by "Sunset" magazine as one of the best arts festivals in the country, the Golden Fine Arts Festival occurs this summer Aug. 21 to 22 along Washington Ave. The festival - which is set amid the breathtaking backdrop of the foothills and Clear Creek in the summer - hosts up to 150 artists selling their wares, which include such varied media as ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture. The Activities Tent gives kids an opportunity to make their own arts and crafts, and learn about history of traditional art. The festival also features live music on five stages, this year sporting such diverse acts as Rojos Calientes, The Road Hazards, Julia Bryan Band, and Chris Thompson and Coral Creek. Although the festival features artists from different parts of the country, there is a strong focus (up to 80 percent) on Colorado artists.
Golden likes its cars, and in addition to the Buffalo Bill Days shows, the Wild West Auto Roundup on June 11 brings thousands of visitors into the town to patronize the shops that organize the show and to peruse the 200 cars on display, from muscle cars to hot rods to race cars to original stock cars. A contest featuring 14 categories also allows visitors to vote. The cruise can sometimes go into the nighttime hours, giving children and adults entertainment options aplenty along Washington - sample one of the main street's many outdoor patios as the cars go by!
There are also various ongoing activities during the summer in Golden. Heritage Square, 18301 W. Colfax Ave., provides an alternative to the mega amusement park, with shopping and entertainment options for the whole family. Also try The Splash water park at the Fossil Trace golf course. If the kids cotton to dinosaurs, Golden is home to Dinosaur Ridge, so named because of the hundreds of prehistoric fossils discovered there - weekends the museum offers multiple activities, including walking tours. If simply kicking back some evenings is more your speed, consider the Movies and Music in the Park, a free event at Parfet Park in which families, for free, can bring a picnic and listen to a live band and watch a movie afterward.
Golden's biggest, more definitive summer festival is Buffalo Bill Days, taking place this year from July 27 to 31. The city sees thousands of visitors for the five-day celebration, which includes a golf tournament at nearby Fossil Trace, a duck race, a kiddie train, live music and myriad vendors and merchants. The even has its origins going back to the 1940s, when Buffalo Bill was commemorated with a mass horseback ride up to his grave. In the 1960s, the annual event was retooled and expanded to promote Golden. The focus of Buffalo Bill Days is usually the elaborate parade, which features an equine emphasis and takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30. On July 31 parents can marvel at the amusement of their children during the Muttin Bustin' event, which is open to children between 5 and 7 and fewer than 60 pounds. Buffalo Bill Days includes its own classic car show, on July 31, which is open to vehicles pre-1971. There's no charge, but proof of insurance must be presented. The show is augmented by the "Orphan" car show, which is open to vehicles whose manufacturers no longer exist, e.g. DeLorean, Hudson, Kaiser, Fraser, Studebaker, et al.
Nationally recognized by "Sunset" magazine as one of the best arts festivals in the country, the Golden Fine Arts Festival occurs this summer Aug. 21 to 22 along Washington Ave. The festival - which is set amid the breathtaking backdrop of the foothills and Clear Creek in the summer - hosts up to 150 artists selling their wares, which include such varied media as ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture. The Activities Tent gives kids an opportunity to make their own arts and crafts, and learn about history of traditional art. The festival also features live music on five stages, this year sporting such diverse acts as Rojos Calientes, The Road Hazards, Julia Bryan Band, and Chris Thompson and Coral Creek. Although the festival features artists from different parts of the country, there is a strong focus (up to 80 percent) on Colorado artists.
Golden likes its cars, and in addition to the Buffalo Bill Days shows, the Wild West Auto Roundup on June 11 brings thousands of visitors into the town to patronize the shops that organize the show and to peruse the 200 cars on display, from muscle cars to hot rods to race cars to original stock cars. A contest featuring 14 categories also allows visitors to vote. The cruise can sometimes go into the nighttime hours, giving children and adults entertainment options aplenty along Washington - sample one of the main street's many outdoor patios as the cars go by!
There are also various ongoing activities during the summer in Golden. Heritage Square, 18301 W. Colfax Ave., provides an alternative to the mega amusement park, with shopping and entertainment options for the whole family. Also try The Splash water park at the Fossil Trace golf course. If the kids cotton to dinosaurs, Golden is home to Dinosaur Ridge, so named because of the hundreds of prehistoric fossils discovered there - weekends the museum offers multiple activities, including walking tours. If simply kicking back some evenings is more your speed, consider the Movies and Music in the Park, a free event at Parfet Park in which families, for free, can bring a picnic and listen to a live band and watch a movie afterward.
About the Author:
Discovering unique things to do in Colorado really isn't hard! Take a look at the great calendar of events this summer in Golden, CO. Found just outside of Denver, Golden offers unique dining and great events throughout the summer. Visit us soon!
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