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Valentine’s Day is over, but there are still plenty of sweet deals around town – including a chance to try snowboarding at Ruby Hill with free, city-provided equipment.
Keep reading for eight of the best free events this weekend.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard, Overland Golf Course, South Platte River Drive
Although the Ruby Hill Terrain Park has been free since it opened in 2007, for the first time this year, Denver Parks and Recreation is offering free gear to the public – snowboards, boots and helmets – on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city is also hosting a special celebration at the terrain park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, with games, music, food and a youth rail jam competition. Find out more here.
History Colorado: Black Heritage Trail
Saturday, February 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m., online
History Colorado has received a grant to create a Black Heritage Trail phone application that explores the history of African Americans from pioneer days to today.;the trail will also include some physical destinations where visitors can learn about Colorado’s history. At this special virtual session of the Colorado Geneological Society, Dexter Nelson of History Colorado will talk about the project. Register here.
Shop Small, Support Big
Saturday, February 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
The Stanley Marketplace takes its small businesses seriously – enough to throw a
Shop Small, Support Big market when no holiday is immediately on the way. A variety of vendors will sell everything from boutique goods to handmade items at the Saturday market. In the meantime, some permanent Stanley businesses are offering special deals throughout February to celebrate the urban mall’s fifth anniversary, including half-price admission to the new Selfie@Stanley attraction. Spend the day! Learn more here.
Rocky Mountain Record Show
Saturday, February 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (early-bird option at 9 a.m.)
RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe Street
The Rocky Mountain Record Show returns to RedLine, where it debuted in August. Fans will be returning, too, since they discovered that RMRS rates as a vinyl flipper’s Valhalla, with a lineup of DJs spinning wax all day and food trucks parked outside. Admission is free beginning at 11 a.m., but there is a $20 option for early-bird shopping starting at 9 a.m. How hungry are you? Those tix sell out fast. Register in advance and find more info here.
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Saturday, February 19, 12:30 p.m.
Fountain Valley YMCA, 326 West Alabama Avenue, Fountain
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film, in partnership with Fountain City Council rep Detra Duncan, present three free screenings in honor of Black History Month. The first is the documentary Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise. That will be followed by Subjects of Desire (6:30 p.m. February 23 in Colorado Springs), and Olympic Pride, American Prejudice (1 p.m. February 26 in Fountain). Get all the details here.
Black Experience in Art
Saturday, February 19, 3 p.m.
Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder
The Dairy’s Black Experience In Art celebrations wrap up with a funky, ’70s-era vibe and a party demanding the right gear: platforms, dashikis, big bell bottoms and Afros out to here. DJ SouLLorain will be spinning the best soul and blues – a mix of music from Stax Records, Motown, Philly and Beale Street in Memphis- so come ready to show off your Soul Train moves, then sneak off for a guided tour through the current exhibit Walk With Me, a display of photographs by Dr. Ernest C. Withers, a documentarian of mid-century Black culture and civil rights demonstrations. The event is free; find details here.
Side Stories
Side Stories 2022: Love Stories
Through February 20, 6 to 10 p.m.
RiNo Art District
Have a lovely time in the RiNo Art District, where this year’s edition of Side Stories is all about love. Five local artists have created works that will be projected on exterior walls. It’s free to look, and local businesses are offering deals; find out more here.
Know of a great free event around Denver? We’ll be updating this list through the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.