Weekender

It's the weekend, and in spite of any planned outdoor activities, I know I am not the only one praying for cool, calm, (dare we hope even damp,) weather for the front range this weekend, as we hold our collective breath with eyes on the fire outside of Boulder and creeping ever-closer towards the city limits. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes, as well as those evacuated, and to the men and women fighting the fire and trying to keep people, pets, and property safe during this scary time.  If you are headed into Boulder and beyond this weekend, please remember to heed all notices and requests from authorized personnel so that they can do their jobs.

There are some fun and free/frugal activities around town this weekend:

9/10 - on the not-so-free side of things, I would be remiss to NOT mention that today marks the beginning of the Denver Beer Fest, celebrating all things beer.  Goodness knows we LOVE our beer around here  - local organizers are calling us "the Napa Valley of Beer."  Cute.  Anyway, get all the info you could ever want here, and go celebrate the goodness that is beer and our state's extensive knowledge of it (before the GABF rolls into town in all its sold out, over-crowded madness!)
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9/10 - Things are getting weird at the Museum of Contemporary Art this and every Friday to come, as MCA begins Black Sheep Fridays.  The event kicks off at 5pm, and there will be happy hour specials and music in the cafe, surprise guests, and the galleries will be open until 10pm.  Get more details here, or check MCA's website for info and directions.
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9/11-9/12- Belmar hosts its annual Festival Italiano this Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 7pm each day. The festival features all kinds of free entertainment for the whole family (think cooking demos for you, and grape stomping for the little ones, among lots of other great entertainment!)  You can get a complete schedule of events and map of the festival here.  There will be lots of vendors and food, so you may want to bring a few bucks in case the urge to manga overtakes you.  :)
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9/11- Lowes Build and Grow clinic has a project this Saturday that is SO CUTE, I kind of want to stand on my knees and see if I can pass as a kiddo so I can make one.  It is a puppy head-shaped leash hanger!  Clinics are at 10am at various Lowes locations, so go here to find one and register your tike.
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9/11- The 8th annual Sunnyside Music Fest is Saturday from 10am - 8pm in Chaffee Park, the music is free, and a portion of proceeds from vendor sales goes to benefit different selected charities each year. There is lots of music on two different stages (one IN the beer garden, HOLLA!!) so go here to check the full schedule and get more information on this North West Denver fave.
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9/11- It's the 21st Annual Friendship Powwow & American Indian Cultural Celebration this Saturday from 10am - 5pm at Acoma Plaza at the Denver Museum of Art! There are free activities and demonstrations, the grand entry of the pow-wow dancers at noon, AND general admission to the Museum's non-ticketed events is free on Saturday as well. Get more info here and go enjoy a DAM fine event (you know I am going to do it every time.)
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9/11- From 10am- 2 pm Rocky Mountain PBS's Kids Fun Fest offers loads of free activities for the little ones at RMPBS's studios in the Golden Triangle. Characters from your kids' favorite PBS shows will be on hand to say hello, there will be stories and activities and all manner of fabulously fun things to crawl/jump/play on!!  Get directions and details here.
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9/11-9/12 - in honor of the opening weekend of the corn maze at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield location, they are hosting a free Local Food festival this weekend, co-hosted by the lovely ladies of the Junior League of Denver.  The festival is free, tickets to the corn maze are at cost - go here for all the info about the 2nd year of this festival!
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9/10-9/12 - Need yet another festival option?  You got it!!  Arvada hosts its Harvest Festival this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with lots to see and do all weekend long. There will be a Kids Zone with free activities for junior, free tours of the Olde Arvada Flour Mill, music, vendors, bingo (woo hoo,) a Parade on Saturday, and so much more! Family fun for everyone - get a rundown of the activities here.
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Every Weekend:

Fridays - Same old Friday night Happy Hour got ya down? Looking for a healthy way to unwind and get your weekend started? YOU GOT IT! Thanks to Luluemon stores (like our location in Cherry Creek) who offer free Friday evening yoga events each week! Here is the info for this week's class. (oh look, there IS wine and chat afterwards. In yoga AND in life, balance is important.) There are locations in Boulder and Lone Tree as well, see the website for details.
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Fridays -Friday Night Live at Tony's Market Bistro is a fabulous way to enjoy some VERY reasonably priced drinks along with live music from 6p.m.-9p.m. Friday evening, and their rotating list of happy hour bites is always a step above your normal bar nosh! See here for current info.
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Fridays - In Boulder, but chained to that desk until quittin' time? Well get the weekend going with F.A.C. at the Millennium Harvest House this afternoon! Live music starts at 5:30 and the atmosphere is 100% family friendly (even your well behaved pooch can join in the fun!). Get all the info here, and get ready to soak up some sun and enjoy some music in Harvest House's gardens this summer!
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Saturdays- Amendment XXI in LoHi does free wine tastings every Saturday from 3pm-7pm. You can go here to get directions and subscribe to their mailing list so you can get info on upcoming tasting selections.
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Sundays- The Denver Cruisers have expanded their schedule of bike rides this summer to include not only their themed Wednesday rides, but also Sunday Funday Rides. These are not themed, just a chance for a relaxing bike ride with other folks who love bikes on Sunday afternoons. The rides start at 2pm at the Great Divide Tap Room (22 and Arapahoe) - find more info here.

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Farmer's Markets:
Denver Urban Homesteading's Market -Saturdays 9am-2pm. (The DUH farmer's market is also open Wed, Thur, Fri 1-6, too!)
Cherry Creek Farmers' Market - Saturdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Wednesdays 9a.m.-1p.m.)
Boulder County Farmers' Market - Saturdays 8a.m.-2p.m.
Southwest Plaza - Saturdays 8a.m.-2p.m.
Southlands - Saturdays 8a.m. - 1p.m.
Old South Pearl - Sundays from 9a.m.-1p.m
Highlands Ranch - Sundays 10a.m.-2p.m.
City Park Esplanade Farmers' Market - Sundays 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m.
Stapleton Farmers' Market - Sundays 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Orchard Town Center (Broomfield) Market - Sundays 10a.m.-3p.m.

Still searching for the perfect fun and frugal weekend activities?
Try these sites:
Denver365 Free Events page
Tattered Cover Bookstore Events
Denver Public Library Events

Be sure to leave any Hot Tips that you have for activities this weekend in the comments section, and as always, if you have an upcoming event you would like listed in The Weekender (or any other tips for DiD,) email the details to :Keri@ItsTheAltitudeDenver.com