Castle Rock Crew #025

Well, I’ve been writing this newsletter for the past six months, which makes it the most consistent thing in my life — ever (besides my mother’s love, of course). What started as a simple way to keep up with what’s going on in Castle Rock has turned into something a lot bigger. Somehow, we’ve grown this community to over 5,000 people (and counting), and now I want to hear directly from you.

I think I know what you like (anything involving wine and/or dogs) and what you probably skip (my rambling intros), but I’d love your input to help shape what comes next. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just signed up last week — if you’ve got 60 seconds, I’d be so grateful if you took this very short survey:

Take the Survey Here

Here are a few other ways to get involved:

• 📸 Follow us on IG: @castlerockcrew + @dougcodrop

• 🙌 Big shout-out to Ally, who’s been crushing it behind the scenes with starting up our social presence

• ✉️ Subscribe to DougCo Drop (our county-wide version): https://dougco-drop.beehiiv.com/subscribe

• 🧠 Have a local biz or nonprofit we should cover? Hit reply or DM me anytime

• 💼 Interested in advertising? We’ve got a few summer spots left — just reach out if you’re curious

We’ve got some great events that support our troops and our first responders coming up here shortly.

VetFest 2025: Food, Music, Beer… and a Whole Lot of Heart

If you’re looking for a feel-good, festival-style weekend in Castle Rock, mark your calendar for Saturday, June 28 — the 8th Annual VetFest is taking over Festival Park from 10:45am to 5pm.

Hosted by the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation, VetFest is completely free to attend and 100% centered on our local veterans. Expect live music all day, local food trucks (hello, Hottie Rob’s and Woodhill Small Batch BBQ), cold drinks from 105 West, Iron Mule, Mystic Mountain, and Rubber Ducky, and tons of kid-friendly activities. It’s family-friendly and absolutely veteran-friendly.

The lineup is stacked:

• 🎶 Live performances from We Are Sugarfoot, Sarah P & the Dirty Logger, and Brent Hindrix

• 🎤 National Anthem by Danny Rogers followed by a Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard

• 🐾 A ConnorsK9-PAWS presentation honoring service dogs and their new veteran partners

• 🧒 A full Kids’ Corner with gaming trucks, face painting, crafts, balloon twisting, and more

• 🍻 “Sober Not Dead” tent if all the brew options are not your thing

If you’ve got a loved one who served, bring their photo for the Hometown Hero Wall, stop by the Veterans VIP Corner, or just hang with the crowd and raise a glass to those who’ve sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy daily.

💰 Bonus points: proceeds support the Veterans Assistance Grant program, which gave out over $68,000 last year to local vets facing hardship. All funds stay right here in Douglas County.

📍 Festival Park, 300 Second Street, Castle Rock
🗓 Saturday, June 28
⏰ 10:45am–5:00pm

More info: dcvmf.org/vetfest 

A Quick Note…

Just one week after VetFest, the ROCK-IT RUN hits the streets on July 4th — and it also supports our local heroes. Different organization, same heart. If you're looking for a way to turn your patriotic vibes into action, go to both. Drink a beer for them on June 28, run (or walk!) for them on July 4. It’s a back-to-back celebration of community, courage, and Castle Rock at its best.

Ready to ROCK-IT This 4th of July?

Let’s celebrate America the best way we know how — by sweating profusely in the name of a good cause before 9am. The ROCK-IT RUN is back on the morning of Friday, July 4th, and whether you’re a seasoned runner, a “fast walker,” or someone who just wants the T-shirt and free bagels, this one’s for you.

There’s a 5k and Half Marathon for those of you who actually enjoy suffering. If you’re really feeling ambitious (or maybe you just lost a bet), you can go for the Half and compete for age-group awards. The rest of us will be vibing with the crowd, walking the 5k, and pretending we trained for this.

But here’s the thing: this event isn’t just about running. It’s about doing good. Proceeds from the race benefit It’s a Calling Foundation, an incredible organization supporting the mental health of first responders, military families, and frontline medical personnel.

The race is organized by Run to Change Lives, the same local nonprofit behind the ShamROCK Stampede and Castle Rock’s legendary Turkey ROCK Trot. Founders Jason and Gina Anguiano have turned running for a cause into a local tradition, and their events keep growing year after year — this one included.

And, yes — you get stuff. All registrants score a medal (or charm for kids), a race T-shirt, snacks, and one free adult beverage (because you earned it before noon). There’ll also be music, vendors, community booths, and a kid’s dash if your littles want to join the fun.

So, how can you get involved?

• REGISTER to run/walk

• VOLUNTEER for setup, check-in, or water stations (Jason still needs help!)

• DONATE directly to support the mission, even if you’re not racing

  
  📍 Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock, CO 80104
  🗓 Friday, July 4th
  ⏰ Start times:

• 6:00am – Back to Health Expo

• 6:30am – Half Marathon (can do a relay and run with up to 3 people)

• 7:00am – Patriotic Pets Parade

• 8:00am – 5k

• 8:45am – FREE 1k Little Rock-Its Run

• 9:00am – Awards Ceremony

• 9:30am – Let Freedom Rock Headliner

• 11:00am – Event ends

Come for the patriotism, stay for the community. I’ll be out of town so don’t worry about looking for me passed out halfway through the course!

Reach out if you’re interested in sponsoring the newsletter. [email protected]

If you love colors, you’ll love these! Check out Tyson’s brindle coat and Seven’s tricolor coat!

Sports:

• Nuggets - oh, what could’ve been if we had just taken advantage of a couple of those opportunities against OKC…

• Rockies - notched two wins over the Nationals and a win over the Diamondbacks this past week. Their record is now 18-60 after going a very respectable 5-5 in their last ten outings. Let’s keep the momentum going so we can stop the worst team in history conversations.

• Rapids - there was no match this past week so we still have a record of 6-8-4 and 22 points. We’ll face the worst team in the league in the LA Galaxy tomorrow and New England on Saturday.

The Bulletin

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire you’re looking to make, or just want to say hi to 5,100 friends?

Mod Mountain Boutique: grab your perfect outfit for the 4^th at Mod Mountain Boutique this week! From USA tees & hats to everything red, white, and blue, we’ve got you covered for your upcoming holiday festivities! Check them out here.

3D Performance: Castle Rock’s premier sports performance gym, founded and run by two former Division I athletes who know exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level. We specialize in helping aspiring athletes unlock their full potential—especially when it comes to explosive power and increasing vertical jump. Whether your goals are vertical, speed, strength, or overall athleticism, our training is built to deliver real results. Come in for a free performance assessment to see where you stand—and how far you can go. Your peak starts here.  

Reach out for a spot on the bulletin!

Events:

Castle Rock Chamber is having their annual Sip & Savor on June 28th at 5:00pm - it is a new and improved “Wine Fest” with a New Theme, New Location, and New Date and Time. Come sip & savor some of the finest vino and bourbon. This Grand Tasting event offers unlimited tastings from dozens of varieties of wines and bourbons. Enjoy your samplings with edible delights from several food vendors…all while listening to great live music. - deets 

Tuesday, 6/24:

The Office Co. | Bar & Kitchen (everyday) - Happy Hour - 2:00pm-7:00pm

Courtyard Social (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm-5:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - 50 Cent Wings - 3:00pm-10:00pm

Bucketlist Tavern (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 3:00pm-6:00pm

I.C. Brewhouse - Trivia - 6:30pm

Honnibrook - Trivia Night: Music Musical - 7:00pm-8:30pm

Wild Blue Yonder - JEOPARDY! Bar League Trivia - 7:00pm-9:00pm

Elizabeth Brews - Trivia - 7:00pm

Wednesday, 6/25:

Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - 6:30pm-8:00pm - deets

Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm-9:00pm

Thursday, 6/26:

RNK Running - CHOG - 6:00pm - deets

Crowfoot Valley Coffee - Trivia - 6:00pm

Bucket List Tavern - Cornhole - 6:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Country Dance Night w/ Dance Instructor - 6:00-7:30pm+

Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:00pm-12:00am

Friday, 6/27:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show - 6:00pm - tix

Amphitheater at Miller Park - Zumba with Heather - 8:00am-9:00am

Outlets - Family Fun Fridays - 12:00pm-2:00pm

Running Creek Park - Friday Night Markets with Blinker Fluid - 5:00pm-9:00pm

Sinners & Saints - Live at the Altar: Songbirds - 8:00pm-10:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Brian Brooks’ Sundown Rising - 7:00pm-10:30pm

Saturday, 6/28:

Festival Park - VetFest - 11:00am-5:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Raise the Roof for a Cause - 11:00am-2:00pm

Courtyard on Perry St. - Walking Tour of Downtown Castle Rock - 10:30am-11:30am

Fairgrounds - Original Castle Rock Farmers Market - 8:00am-12:00pm

Outlets - Rock the Mountain Live Music! Jay Casmirri - 3:00pm-6:00pm

Amphitheater at Miller Park - Sip & Savor - 5:00pm-8:00pm - deets

Fairgounds - Hālau Kalama’s 17th Annual Lei Day - 7:00pm - deets

105 West Brewing - Live Music! The Mike Mauer Band - 6:30pm-9:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - Live Music! Off Ramp - 7:00pm-10:30pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:00pm-12:00am

Sinners & Saints - Dance to the “Max” DJ Dance Party - 9:00pm-11:30pm

Sunday, 6/29:

Lost Coffee - Lost Runners Run Club - 8:00am

Amphitheater at Miller Park - Yoga in the Park - 8:30am-9:30am

Festival Park - Farmers Market - 9:00am-2:00pm

105 West Brewing - Live Music! David Chappa - 2:30pm-5:30pm

Outlets - Rock the Mountain Live Music! Jax Jordening - 3:00pm-6:00pm

Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Leonard E. Barrett Jr. Combo - 6:30pm - details

Monday, 6/30:

Festival Park - Yoga in the Park - 6:30pm-7:30pm

Gluttony and Graze and Arayes - Family Day where kids eat practically free - 11:00am-8:00pm

Bucket List Tavern - Kids eat free (w/ purchase) - open to close every Monday

Heads up on events that are further out:

Get your tix for the Summer Concert Series if you haven’t already. First one is Sugar Ray on June 21st!

Check out the Summer Fitness Events

Outlets - Rock the Mountain - Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day - 3:00pm-6:00pm

Outlets - Family Fun Fridays - Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day - 12:00pm-2:00pm

Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - Wednesdays in June from 6:30pm-8:00pm

Colorado Renaissance Festival - June 14th-August 3rd - details

Sinners & Saints - Barrel Buddies - July 2nd - 6:30pm-10:00pm - tix

Outlets - 4th of July Weekend - July 4th-6th

Bison Park - 4th of July Celebration - 11:00am-1:00pm

Festival Park - First Fridays: Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts - July 4th - 3:00pm-9:00pm

Amphitheater at Miller Park - Animals Around the Rock Series - July 8th - 6:00pm-7:30pm

Mercantile Park - Music in The Meadows: The Radio - July 10th - 6:30pm-8:30pm

East Plum Creek Trail - Pedal the Moon - July 12th - 6:30pm-10:00pm

Lost Canyon Ranch - Twilight on the Trails Gala - July 12th - 6:00pm-9:30pm - tix

⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.

Let us know of any events, locations, establishments, or businesses that you would like us to highlight in coming editions. [email protected]

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