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Posted 09.02.2009

A&E best bets: Taste of Colorado, balloons, bugs & hot chili

It's a Labor Day weekend packed with food, fun and fantastic music

By Lisa Ryckman

Labor Day weekend

Satisfy your inner gourmet on at the Taste of Colorado in Civic Center Park in downtown Denver beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Go for the great eats but stay for the carnival rides and music, including Grand Funk Railroad, Poco and the Robert Cray Band. Admission is free, but tickets must be used for food, drinks and rides.

Things are looking up at the 33rd annual Colorado Balloon Classic, the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain region. More than 100 balloons will lift off from Memorial Park in Colorado Springs on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Best of all - it's free!

Head for the hills and hit the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival. Sure, there's jazz - but that's not all. This year's schedule includes the likes of Michael Franti, Black-eyed Peas, the Allman Brothers and Elvis Costello.

Embrace the moment at the Celebration Metaphysical Fair at the Denver Merchandise Mart Expo. Featuring workshops, readings, aura photos and seminars on chakras, Native American astrology and healing meditation. Admission is $5 per day or $13 for all three days.

The Colorado State Fair ends with a blast from the past: hear Foreigner at 8 p.m. on Monday. Other events: a parade and crowning of the Fiesta Queen on Sunday. The colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo are open 10 a.m. - 12 midnight every day, and admission is $8.

Just Saturday

Head into the wilds of Cherry Creek State Park for a Summer Bug Safari on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. The Butterfly Pavilion hosts an up-close and personal look at live insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies at the Campground Amphitheater. For more information, call 303-690-1166 or email cherry.creek.interp@state.co.us. It's a free event but you need a park pass.

It's your last chance to take a free ride on the horse-drawn Evergreen Towne Trolley from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hop aboard along Main Street in downtown Evergreen and enjoy discounts from Evergreen merchants.

Just Sunday

Have a (foot)ball for a cause: the Western Alternative Sports Association hosts the 2nd Annual Buffalo/Ram Tailgate Jam at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Register by Friday for tickets at these prices - $30 for adults and - $15 for kids 14 and under - and come out for special CU and CSU cheering sections, a tailgate-style meal, prizes and more. All proceeds benefit the Lorenzen Cancer Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Just Monday

The 12th annual Chili Inferno Cook-off at the Boulder Creek Hometown Fair features chili that'll singe your eyebrows. It's between Central Park and Boulder Public Library beginning at 11 a.m.

Take the kids out to the ball park: the Rockies host the Cincinnati Reds at 1 p.m. at Coors Field. Pay $4 for a Rockpile seat and have plenty left over for beer and peanuts.

Lisa Ryckman is the online editor at cobizmag.com.

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