We released our 2012 Summer Guide in June, including hundreds of events and opportunities to escape both in the city and in the great outdoors. Each Thursday, we'll roll out the best things to do this week, making it easier for you to plan your summer. Among this week's listings are Fourth of July celebrations galore and the Greeley Stampede. For a full guide of things to do in and around Denver, consult westword.com/calendar.
This week in the Denver area:
5th Annual Prospect Artists Studio Tour: Witness the creative processes of Prospect Artists Association through the lens of their disheveled working studios. June 30-July 1, 12-6 p.m., free, Prospect Artists Association, Longmont, 720-340-4020, www.prospectartistsassn.com.
Arapahoe Basin Trail Race: A two-division trail run starting at almost 11,000 feet above sea level. Followed by live music and a celebratory barbecue. Sun., July 1, 10:30 a.m., 970-513-5742. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, 28194 US Highway 6, Dillon, www.arapahoebasin.com.
Aspen Ideas Festival: Lectures, presentations, debates, and panel discussions designed to present ideas that matter, through July 3, Colo. 82, Aspen, www.aifestival.org.
Atomic Fireballs: June 30-July 1. Royal Gorge Bridge Park, 4218 Fremont County Road 3A, Caon City, 888-333-5597, www.royalgorgebridge.com.
Blues From the Top 10: Line-up includes Dana Fuchs, Samantha Fish Band, Shaun Murphy, Ryan McGarvey, and others. June 29-July 1, 970-726-4221, www.playwinterpark.com. Winter Park Resort, Exit 232 from I-70 onto 40, Winter Park, www.winterparkresort.com.
Carnival of Care: Live music, bouncy castles, face painting, vending, art activities, and more family-oriented fun. Sat., June 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free, Sloans Lake Park, 1700 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, 303-625-3976, www.sloanslakecommunitychurch.com.
A Celebration of Freedom: Featuring the United States Air Force Band. Mon., July 2, Hideaway Park, 50 Vasquez Rd., Winter Park, 970-726-4221, www.playwinterpark.com.
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers: Sat., June 30, 7 p.m., $17-$45, 303-825-GOAL, www.coloradorapids.com. Dicks Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, www.dickssportinggoodspark.com.
Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Wed., July 4, 7:30 p.m., $17-$45, 303-825-GOAL, www.coloradorapids.com. Dicks Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, www.dickssportinggoodspark.com.
Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres: Fri., June 29, 6:10 p.m.; Sat., June 30, 5:15 p.m.; Sun., July 1, 1:10 p.m., $12, Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Denver, 303-292-0200, colorado.rockies.mlb.com.
Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals: Thu., June 28, 1:10 p.m., $7.95, Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Denver, 303-292-0200, colorado.rockies.mlb.com.
Coolest Car Show: An annual showcase of hot rods, classic cars and antique vehicles. Wed., July 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hwy. 36, Estes Park, 800-443-7837, www.estes-park.com.
Crested Butte Music Festival: Lineup includes Samuel Ramey, David Grisman, The Hot Club of Detroit, Cirque du Symphony, and others. July 4-Aug. 12, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte, 800-545-4505, www.crestedbuttechamber.com.
Find more things to do June 28-July 4 on the next page.
Cripple Creek's Fourth of July Celebration: Fireworks, parades, and more held as part of a town Independence Day tradition dating back to 1900. Wed., July 4, www.visitcripplecreek.com, Cripple Creek, www.cripple-creek.co.us.
Denver Outlaws Fireworks Game: Major-league lacrosse, featuring Outlaws vs. Machine, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Wed., July 4, 7 p.m., $15-$45, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver, 303-433-7466, denveroutlaws.com.
Fourth of July in Englewood: Fireworks, vending, live music, bungee jumping, and more. Wed., July 4, free, Belleview Park, W. Belleview Ave. at S. Inca Drive, Englewood, 303-762-2300, www.englewoodrec.org.
Fourth of July Weekend Celebration: A western-style Independence Day festival complete with parades, evening rodeos, community concerts and fireworks. June 30-July 1, www.steamboat-chamber.com, Steamboat Springs.
Friscos Fantastic Fourth of July: A patriotic celebration with a parade down Main Street, kids fishing derby and a concert in the park. Wed., July 4, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Frisco, www.townoffrisco.com.
The Geezers: July 3-5. Royal Gorge Bridge Park, 4218 Fremont County Road 3A, Caon City, 888-333-5597, www.royalgorgebridge.com.
Grand Park Run for Independence: An annual 5-mile walk/run/roll/bike event following the Fraser River Trail from Winter Park Resort to Grand Park in Fraser. Proceeds benefit the Scott Hughes Foundation and Childrens Hospital. Sat., June 30, Winter Park Resort, exit 232 from I-70 onto 40, Winter Park, 970-726-4221, www.playwinterpark.com.
Greeley Stampede: Featuring Justin Moore, Luke Bryan, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Skillet and others. Through July 4, 970-356-7787, www.greeleystampede.org. Greeley, Weld County, Greeley, www.greeleygov.com.
Illustrating Union Yoga Tour: A day of free yoga instruction with simultaneous beginning, intermediate, advanced and prenatal classes. Sat., June 30, 9-11 a.m., free, The Wildlife Experience Museum, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, 720-488-3344, www.thewildlifeexperience.org.
Independence Eve Celebration: Featuring a free performance by the Colorado Symphony. Tue., July 3, 8 p.m., Free, www.coloradosymphony.org. Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-892-1112, www.denvergov.org.
July 4th at Elitch Gardens: A fireworks display, live entertainment, new rides, and other festivities held in honor of Independence Day. Wed., July 4, Free with park admission, 303-572-4522. Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, www.elitchgardens.com.
Lakewood on Parade: A community parade and festival paying homage to U.S. troops at home and overseas, complete with vending, activities for kids, live entertainment and fireworks. Tue., July 3, 3-10 p.m., Lakewood, 6th & Simms, Golden, 800-240-2595, www.lakewoodonparade.org.
Find more things to do June 28-July 4 on the next page.
Lance Guterson 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks: An Independence Day offering carnival games, face painting, a community picnic, live music, and fireworks. Wed., July 4, Fraser Valley Sports Complex, 220 CR 514, Fraser, 970-726-4221, www.playwinterpark.com.
Mountain Air Music Series: Weekly family-friendly concerts with onsite kids activities and vending. Lineup includes Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, The Pimps of Joytime, OBrien Part of 7 with Tim & Mollie OBrien, and Chuck Prophet. Thursdays. Continues through June 28, Free. Ouray, U.S. Highway 550, Ouray, 800-228-1876, www.ouraycolorado.com.
Noises Off: Farcical comedy and backstage antics involving sardines. June 28-29, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 1, 2 p.m.; Fri., July 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 15, 2 p.m.; Fri., July 20, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 22, 2 p.m.; Fri., July 27, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 29, 2 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 5, 2 p.m., $10, 303-492-0554, www.coloradoshakes.org. University Theatre Building, CU-Boulder campus, Boulder, www.colorado.edu/TheatreDance/.
Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration: An Independence Day celebration featuring traditional games, horse-drawn wagon rides, food, and more. Wed., July 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $7 GA; $7 youth; free for kids under 6 and military, 720-865-0815. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver, www.fourmilepark.org.
Old Town Parker Wine Walks: Monthly wine walks through the streets of Old Town Parker; admission includes a wine glass, wrist band good for ten samples and a goody bag. Get tickets at the corner of Mainstreet and Pikes Peak Dr. or online in advance. Fri., June 29, 5-9 p.m.; Fri., July 27, 5-9 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 31, 5-9 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 28, 5-9 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 28, 5-9 p.m., $10, 21 and up. Parker Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker, 303-805-3275, www.parkeronline.org.
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration: An Independence Day celebration comprised of traditional festivities, including an old-fashioned parade, a bicycle rodeo, fireworks, and more. Wed., July 4, www.aspenchamber.org. Aspen, Colo. 82, Aspen.
Red, White and Blues: Live music, snow cones, face painting, and more. Wed., July 4, www.tmvoa.org. Telluride, 145, Telluride, 888-783-0257, www.visittelluride.com.
Red, White n Brews: Featuring Brooks-i, Honeyhoney, Will Hoge, Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue. Yamaguchi Park. Wed., July 4, $10-$30, redwhitenbrews.com. Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, Pagosa Springs.
Stills Music Collection: Colorado Symphony resident conductor Scott ONeil discusses the contents of Stills personal record collection. Thu., June 28, 6:30 p.m., $10 GA; $3 youth; free for kids under 5. Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St., Denver, 720-354-4880, www.clyffordstillmuseum.org.
Telluride Plein-Air: A celebration of the art of open-air painting. June 28-July 4, www.sheridanoperahouse.com. Telluride, 145, Telluride, 888-783-0257, www.visittelluride.com.
Waynes World: With School of Rock National All-Stars. Mon., July 2, 6:45 p.m., $12, Film on the Rocks, www.denverfilm.org. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, 720-865-2494, www.redrocksonline.com.
