At 9 a.m. this morning at Colorado Gators in Mosca, GatorFest X will commence, and we all know what that means: It's the tenth anniversary of the biggest, baddest alligator rodeo in the state.
What exactly is planned at this enterprise seventeen miles north of Alamosa? Live music and alligator fajitas, barrel racing for children six and under (who will carry a pint-sized gator as they weave through the barrels) and canoe racing for children seven and older. There will also be a turtle roundup and photo opportunities with some of the biggest and smallest residents of Colorado Gators.
Graduates of the gator farm's wrestling classes will compete with its employees to see who can wrangle the biggest of 65 alligators. (That's ten tons of reptilian flesh to be subdued.) Lynne Young, the owner of Colorado Gators, predicts a weekend of "good, clean family fun" lasting until 7 p.m. this evening and continuing all day tomorrow. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages six to twelve; those under six or over eighty get in free. For more information, call 1-719-378-2612 or visit www.gatorfarm.com. -- Amber Taufen
Catch a Wave
THURS, 8/4
You don't have to swim with the fishes to have a Wet & Wild Gay Day at Water World, but you will have to swim with guerrillas, squids and bears. Today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Water World, 1850 West 89th Avenue, Denver's Guerrilla Queer Bar will be joined by two other groups, SQUID Swim Team and the Front Range Bears, to host what they claim is the biggest, wettest queer event of the year.
"In the past, we've each held our own day," says a GQB spokesman identified only as Billy Trix. "So with three groups, this should be a very diverse crowd. That's what Guerrilla Queer Bar is all about -- to get you out of your normal little safety box."
And after a long day of water sports, you can dance yourself dry at the after-party, starting at 9 p.m. at Tracks, 3500 Walnut Street.
Gay Day tickets are $24 in advance at Heaven Sent Me (116 South Broadway, 303-733-9000) or $26.95 at the gate. Free temporary tattoos will also be on hand (or leg, or chest) to help you identify your sister squids and brother bears and, later, to score you a free drink at Tracks. For information, go to www.gaydaysdenver.com. -- Debra A. Myers
Dog Days
Wembley wags the tail end of its season.
SAT, 8/6
For many animals, a chill in the air triggers an innate pilgrimage to balmier, more southern locales. While early August along the Front Range won't awaken old man winter, the high-speed canines who occupy Wembley Park, at 6200 Dahlia Street in Commerce City, are currently preparing for their annual trip south to Colorado Springs. Today's twin bill of 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. post times marks the conclusion of the 66-year-old track's summer season. Admission is still just a buck, and with free parking, the night basically pays for itself -- that is, unless the pari-mutuel windows lighten your wallet. Those aching for future action might find the Springs' Post Time Greyhound Park a bit far, but don't fret: Wembley will continue this fall with its off-track simulcast betting before welcoming back the pups in early November.
For information, call 303-288-1591 or visit www.wembleyco.com. -- Cub Buenning
