Weekend things to do around Denver and beyond

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Watching the sunset over the mountains accompanied by music from top headliners. It's the long-awaited opening weekend of the 8,000-seat Ford Amphitheater in north Colorado Springs, 95 Spectrum Loop. Leading off, three nights by One Republic and then The Beach Boys, Lauren Daigle, Walker Hayes, Primus, For King and Country, Pentatonix and so many more. Many parking options available, except in adjoining neighborhoods, and there are convenient shuttles. For concerts and tickets: fordamphitheater.live.

THURSDAY

A taco lover's delight, the Top Taco Festival with competition samples from 50 restaurants and taquerias vying for creative, traditional, vegetarian, Asada BBQ showdown — topped off with tequila cocktails. 10th annual event in Westminster City Park, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd., 6-10 p.m., $89+. denver.toptaco.com

FRIDAY-AUG. 18

Year 96 for Littleton's Western Welcome Week action packed with festivities starting Friday. Thirty events in 10 days. The city's invitation is to come enjoy this year's theme “Celebrate the Arts.” Art shows, pancake breakfast, drone show, concerts, stick horse stampede, duck race, car show, fishing derby, BBQ, and indeed, a grand parade on Aug. 17. westernwelcomeweek.org and on Facebook. Sunday's Pancake Stampede 5K at Hudson Gardens at 8 a.m., $10+, before the Littleton pancake breakfast. hudsongardens.org/event/pancake-stampede-5k

SUNDAY

A popular day for baseball: the 20th annual Colorado Rockies Faith Day as the Rockies take on the Atlanta Braves at 1:10 p.m. followed by a Dove Award winner in concert. Grammy winner Zach Williams headlines the post-game music. For groups of 20 or more call, 303-ROCKIES. Tickets $19-$80 mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/themes/faith-day

THURSDAY-AUG. 25

These are those dream-a-lot days to visit the newest homes in the area at the 2024 Denver Parade of Homes, with prices from $205,000 to $2.19 million. Custom homes by 27 builders throughout Metro Denver down to Castle Rock. Six "Dream Homes" cost more than $1.3 million each. The featured community, Sterling Ranch, has a neighborhood with homes by seven builders. A free tour offered by HBA of Metro Denver, noon to 5 p.m., Thursdays to Sundays. Self-guided tour map, paradeofhomesdenver.com

SATURDAY

A celebration of the arts, the RiNo Summer Art Market is a fun afternoon of creative family activities in River North Art District, 1900 35th St. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Screen print your own market tote bag, participate in a cyanotype print workshop. Story time for the kids, English at noon, Spanish at 12:30 p.m. Live music by local musicians, local art, food and beer. rinoartdistrict.org/do/art-market-aug2024

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Watch for reports from the Alexander Mountain fire for updated information that could affect the status of Loveland's traditional Sculpture in the Park weekend, the 40th annual. Scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday; juried works chosen join the 178 breathtaking Benson Garden permanent sculptures in the outdoors show. sculptureinthepark.org

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Buena Vista's Contin-Tail Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show, drawing crowds for 40 years, offers a full weekend with more than "100 gem, mineral, fossil, fossil, handmade jewelry, lapidary artists and rock dealers." 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds. Dealers from around the country. The Contin-Tail name combines Continental Divide & Tailgate. bvrockshow.com.

SATURDAY

Pups have their own day downtown in honor of National Dog Month. They can Bark Around the Block at the Dairy Block and The Maven, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, 1800 Wazee. Doggies can pose for their caricatures, get a pup cup treat from Denver Milk Market, have brunch treats at Kachina Cantina and other fun things. dairyblock.com/events/celebrate-national-dog-month

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Show your cornhole skills, listen to music, sip a cold one and sample a competition of Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned BBQ at Alamosa's Cole Park. A Bloody Mary showdown, too. It's Beat the Heat BBQ & Brews time. slvbeattheheat.com

SATURDAY

Vintage aircraft will be taking off and landing and it will be possible to be up close to some of them during SilverWest AirFest. Festival music and vendors as well. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Butler Field, SilverWest Aiport, Westcliffe; visitwetmountainvalley.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Curated works by national artists fill Cherry Creek North's Fillmore Plaza for the second Smash Fine Art Festival of the summer, Saturday and Sunday. Stroll the festival to the sounds of live acoustic music. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. cherrycreeknorth.com/things-to-do/ccn-signature-events/cherry-creek-north-in-bloom/smash-fine-arts-festival

SATURDAY

Boulder Taco Fest is a wild combination of, yes, tacos, but add to that tequila, piñatas, music, a 5K, lucha libre wrestling and costume contests. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1001 Arapahoe Ave. bouldertacofest.com

SUNDAY

A busy day Sunday at Stanley Market Place in Aurora with the Stanley Summer Music Series, local produce, activities for the kiddos, splash pads, vendors, cocktails and food. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on the lawn. stanleymarketplace.com/stanley-events.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

The Boulder County Fair, an oldie but goodie since 1869 with a strong history of farming and ranching, 4-H and animals, is this weekend at the fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Concerts by Colorado bands. Rodeo and Demo Derby. Schedule at bouldercountyfair.org