Colorado State Fair
Audio By Carbonatix
If you can’t find something worthwhile to do this Labor Day weekend, you’re not trying. The Taste of Colorado returns to Civic Center Park, while the Denver Chalk Art Festival moves to the Golden Triangle; those events top our list of ten free things to do around town. And after First Friday, the arty parties continue in our latest Art Attack.
Now keep reading for six events worth the price of admission:
150th Colorado State Fair
Through Monday, September 5
Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo
Happy 150th! The Colorado State Fair is back, and the sesquicentennial celebration is filled with special events and attractions, including a 150-ton Colorado State Fair sand sculpture by Sandscapes, the creation of the World’s Largest Slopper, the USA Mullet Championship, History Colorado’s Power of Horses exhibit, and a commemorative firework display to end celebrations on Labor Day. All the usual exhibits and activities will be on hand, along with an endless string of entertainers, including Walker Hayes, Randy Rogers Band presented by Big R/DeWalt, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Stone Temple Pilots and Firefall. There are plenty of free attractions included with the price of admission; find out about deals and discounts here.
Nan Desu Kan
Through Sunday, September 4
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora
Welcome to the Rocky Mountain region’s largest and longest-running anime and Japanese cultural convention, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. You’ll find cosplayers, gamers and shoppers, as well as screenings of new and classic anime, workshops, competitions, an auction and lots of special guests. Tickets range from $35-$45 for a single day to $65 for the weekend; find out more here.
Liz Taylor comes unhinged in Identikit, this weekend at the Sie FilmCenter.
AVCO Embassy Pictures
here.
RMBS 53rd Anniversary Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition
Sunday, September 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street
The Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society is holding its 53rd annual Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition, with displays and live demonstrations; RMBS artist of the year Dan Wiederrecht will also be on hand. Admission is free with admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens; get those details here.
Pixar Putt
Sunday, September 4, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; daily through November
Rally Hotel, McGregor Square, 1600 20th Street
Pixar Putt, a national sensation, makes mini-golf just that much more fun for families by dressing up the course with characters and scenes from a raft of Pixar favorites, including the Toy Story gang, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Coco and more. Putt-putt your heart out at the Rally at McGregor Square through the end of November, and don’t worry about the weather – it’s indoors. The course opened Saturday and the fun continues daily through November 27; hours are Mondays through Fridays, 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.Tickets are $31 to $33 online only here.
Sans Souci Festival of Dance
Sunday, September 4; 6:45 to 9 p.m.
Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway
Sans Souci Festival of Dance celebrates its nineteenth festival with an opening night at the Museum of Boulder, complete with a VIP red carpet photo area, virtual-reality dance films and video installations. The main event begins at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of the season’s top-scoring dance films from around the world. See the full schedule and get tickets, $30 per night, here.
Do you know of a great event in Denver? We’ll be updating this list through the weekend; send information to editorial@westword.com.