Shoutout to all the dads out there. Hope you did something fun to celebrate those in your life or were lucky enough to be celebrated!
Beyond Father's Day celebrations, my week was packed. I went to Jazz in the Park on Wednesday with Our Parallel Journeys, which was a lot of fun. And I had no idea that we had beavers in Festival Park until then. I didn't believe it when I overheard someone talking about them, but sure enough, when I ran down to the water there were two of them pushing a log downstream to the dam they were constructing. Posted a video of them on Facebook here.
The weekend was full of great events. I kicked Saturday off over at Griddled for the second day of their grand opening. I tried the Lemon Blueberry crêpe, which was very tasty. As a reminder, you've got until the 26th to get your free dessert crêpe when you purchase any panini or crêpe (see details attached).
Once I was carbed up and ready to go, I headed over to the Car Show. I had been there the night before, but wanted to go see the rest of the cars. I think this one is going up on my vision board.
Following that, I headed over to Alidade's one-year anniversary for a few hours, which was a great time. Awesome to see some of you there. I had already eaten so I skipped lunch while I was there, but heard that Colorado Chile Company's elk tots were very good, so I need to make sure I get them at some point. Alidade is also hosting Hideaway Bar & Grill's benefit event for their owners and staff following the fires they fell victim to last month. The event is this Saturday from 3pm to 6pm. Details here.
Well, the summer events don't slow down here, so we'll get you prepped and ready to go for 4th of July in today's newsletter.
4th of July in Castle Rock
Well, the 4th falls on a Saturday this year, so you get the whole weekend out of it. And the Town is going big, which makes sense given it is the country's 250th birthday and Colorado's 150th. (I'm still confused as to what the word they're using on the Town's website to describe the celebration — sesquisemiquincentennial — actually means. And I definitely can't ask anyone because there's no way I'm going to be able to pronounce it, but it seems to describe celebrating the 250th and 150th birthdays at the same time. Don't quote me.)
The party at Festival Park
It runs 5:30pm to 9:30pm and is free. Food trucks, face painting, and live music the whole time, with the Denver Dolls at 5:30pm, the Castle Rock Band at 6:45pm, and Thunder Roads closing it out at 8pm. They are also giving away 250/150 stuff all night, like light-up star wands, so let the kids load up before dark.
The Pie Bake-Off
The Town's Pie Bake-Off is back, and I am tempted to enter. It is $30 to compete, two categories (fruit and non-fruit), and only 15 spots each. If you are just there to eat, the first 100 people to the tent get a free slice. To spice things up…if 100 of you tell me to do it, I will register and bake a pie in the competition.
Should I sign up for the Pie Bake-Off?
The fireworks
Things wrap with a show around 9:30pm. You will hear a three-shot salute, then about 20 minutes of it, launched from Miller's Landing off Plum Creek Parkway, just east of Philip S. Miller Park. You can catch it from up to three miles out: downtown, Metzler Ranch Park, Miller Park, Rock Park, and parts of Red Hawk. Don't park on the main roads, and if you are watching from a neighborhood, mind the driveways. If the weather turns, it bumps to Sunday the 5th.
Want to earn the pie? The Rock-It Run
If you want to start the day off with some movement, the Rock-It Run takes over the Fairgrounds: half marathon at 6:30am, 5K at 8am, and a free kids 1K right after. Every runner gets a free smoked brat from Smokin' Zo's and a free beer or spirits drink, plus there is an expo, live music, and a concert when it is over. It all goes to Run to Change Lives, which raises money for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD. We are a media sponsor this year, and they gave us a code: use CRC250 for 15% off. They also need a few more volunteers. You'll walk away with a free shirt, food, and a free entry to a future race.
Live in The Meadows?
The Meadows runs its own free celebration at Bison Park from 11am to 1pm. It opens with a patriotic parade at 11:15am, Uncle Sam out front and the kids decking out their bikes, wagons, and strollers, then food, music, and inflatables after. Show up a few minutes early if you want in the parade line.
Planning your own celebration?
There are no fire restrictions right now in town or the county, since they lifted them in early June after the rain. That can change quickly if it dries out, so check CRgov.com/Fireworks the week of. Two TNT stands open in town on June 25, one at 5940 Promenade Parkway by the Outlets and one at 441 S. Perry Street. Stick to the ground-based stuff — nothing that flies or blows up. You can only set them off on the 4th between 8am and 10pm, and you have to be 16 to buy. Keep a bucket of water close. Every year the legal stuff still starts fires.
Want to keep the fun going? Sunday Funday
If one day is not enough, the Denver Polo Club throws a 4th of July tailgate out in Sedalia on Sunday, July 5, from 10am to 3pm. Bring a picnic, deck out your spot for the Best Tailgate contest, and take in polo matches, the Westernaires, and a divot stomp. Spots are limited and start at $49.87.
And the 250/150 party doesn't stop on the 4th. There is a Poundcake Pop-Up at Festival Park on Thursday, July 9, and the big Colorado Day Festival on Saturday, August 1. More on both soon.
Pet Adoptions
Need a workout partner for the summer? This bundle of energy, Belle, is ready to hold you accountable.
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Sports
Broncos — We are deep in the quiet stretch of the offseason after minicamp wrapped up ahead of the summer break. Two notes out of Dove Valley: Bo Nix is on track for training camp and said the second ankle surgery he had this spring was just to clean up bone spurs, and the team excused linebacker Jonathon Cooper from minicamp following his two arrests over the past month, with his situation still playing out.
Nuggets — The NBA Draft is here — Round 1 goes Tuesday night and Round 2 Wednesday — and we hold the No. 26 pick in the first round and No. 49 in the second. Free agency opens July 1.
Avalanche — A busy offseason already. We traded Ross Colton to Nashville to free up cap space. The big one on deck: Sakic says a Cale Makar extension is coming this summer, in his words, "Cale is going to finish his career here." The NHL Draft is this week and free agency opens July 1.
Rockies — We sit 31-48, last in the NL West, but Monday night was a fun one: down 2-0 to the Red Sox heading to the bottom of the ninth, we scored three to walk it off 3-2. It capped a solid stretch — we went 3-2 last week, splitting the back end at the Cubs and taking two of three from the Pirates at home. Saturday's 2-1 win over Paul Skenes was a wild one from start to finish: Jake McCarthy led off the bottom of the first with an inside-the-park home run off Skenes, Tomoyuki Sugano outdueled him on the mound, and the game ended on one of the rarest calls in baseball: with the Pirates trying to tie it in the ninth, Jake Mangum grounded to third baseman Kyle Karros and runner Billy Cook was called for interference. Game over. We host the Red Sox again Tuesday and Wednesday, then head to Minnesota to face the Twins Friday through Sunday.
Rapids — No match for us — MLS is paused for the World Cup and we are back in July. The tournament is the story anyway, and the USMNT is rolling: after beating Paraguay 4-1, we beat Australia 2-0 on Friday to clinch a spot in the Round of 32. We close group play against Türkiye on Thursday at 8pm.
Summit FC — Also idle. Summit FC has not played since late May and sits 9th in the NWSL. They are back in action later this summer.
Want your business in front of 5,500 locals? Reach out if you're interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
Noteworthy: Cherokee Castle turns 100
Cherokee Ranch & Castle is crashing the America 250 / Colorado 150 party with a birthday of its own: the castle just turned 100. The ranch marked it with a gala on June 20, Waterloo: The Centennial Gala, that stacked all three milestones into one night.
If you have never dug into the history, the castle was built between 1924 and 1926 by Denver real estate man Charles Alfred Johnson, who modeled it on a 15th-century Scottish castle right down to the stone (it went by Charlford back then). Cattlewoman and art collector Mildred "Tweet" Kimball bought it in 1954, renamed the ranch Cherokee, and set up the foundation that still runs it today.
If you have not been up there in a while, summer is the time. They run castle tours, concerts, tastings, and guided hikes through the season. Details at cherokeeranch.org.
Castle Rock Jobs
Events
We put together a weekly rundown highlighting a few of the top events happening around Castle Rock and the surrounding area. Here's what's on this week:
Tuesday, 6/23:
Sinners & Saints - Craft & Cocktails: Moody, Magical Mini Terrarium Night - 6:00pm–9:00pm - $33.85
Pines Bar and Grill - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Line Dancing with Joyce at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–9:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia ($0.85 Wings) - 7:00pm–8:00pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Classic Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm
Wednesday, 6/24:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine of Verona - 6:00pm - $72
Festival Park - Bike to Work Day at Festival Park - 7:00am–9:00am
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 8:00am–1:00pm - $39
Wide Open Saloon - Bike Night feat. Brian Hornbuckle at Wide Open Saloon - 5:00pm–9:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6:00pm–8:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Mountain Bike Ride at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–7:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Karaoke Night - 6:00pm–9:00pm
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Game Night: Daggerheart at Honnibrook - 6:00pm–9:00pm
Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - 6:30pm–8:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Wednesday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Fireworks Paint Party at Wild Blue Yonder - 6:30pm–8:30pm - $40
Thursday, 6/25:
Crowfoot Valley Coffee - Trivia - 6:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Thursday Trivia by Myxed Music at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:00pm–8:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night - 6:00pm–9:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–8:30pm
RNK Running and Walking - Chog (Chill Jog) with RNK Running - 6:00pm–7:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing at Wide Open Saloon - 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Poker - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Sinners & Saints - Western Line Dancing Night with Gracee - 7:00pm–10:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Karaoke with Jammin Joes at The Stagecoach Saloon - 8:00pm–11:00pm
Friday, 6/26:
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - RMV Freedom Festival 2026 (Friday) - 10:00am–10:00pm - $95+
Wide Awake Eatery - Jennifer Lane Piano at Wide Awake Eatery - 5:30pm–9:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: The Marshall Tucker Band with Ben Chapman - 6:00pm–10:00pm - $35+
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and The Hay Pullers - 6:30pm–10:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Whiskey Road - 7:00pm–10:30pm
COFF33 - Battle of the Brushes - 7:00pm–9:00pm - $23.18
Sinners & Saints - Rented Tuxedo - Live at the Altar - 8:00pm–10:00pm
Saturday, 6/27:
Rock Solid Fitness & Wellness Club - Castle Pines - Rock Solid x Sports Research - 8:00am–10:00am
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 8:30am - $39.50
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - RMV Freedom Festival 2026 (Saturday) - 10:00am–11:00pm - $125+
Castle Rock Museum - Walking Tour of Downtown Castle Rock - 10:30am–11:30am
105 West Brewing Company - Books & Brews: Teeny Tiny Bookshop Pop-Up at 105 West - 12:00pm–4:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Show at Wide Open Saloon - 2:00pm–5:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Blue Moon Band at Outlets - 3:00pm–6:00pm
Alidade Brewing - From the Ashes: Hideaway Bar & Grill Benefit - 3:00pm–6:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Castle Rock Chamber Sip & Savor - 5:00pm–8:00pm - $50-$90
Wide Open Saloon - Sparta Presents: SCL 110 Fight Night at Wide Open Saloon - 6:00pm–11:00pm - $55-$125
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - 6:00pm–9:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - 80's Summer Party feat. Knucklehorn at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Mead and Magic at Honnibrook - 7:00pm–9:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Aces and Eights Live at Wide Open Saloon - 8:00pm–11:00pm
Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Marvin - 9:00pm–11:59pm
Sunday, 6/28:
Lost Coffee - Lost Runners Run Club with RNK Running - 8:00am–9:30am
Festival Park - Castle Rock Ducky Derby - 9:00am–3:00pm - $10-$20
Festival Park - Festival Park Farmers Market - 9:00am–2:00pm
Bar Hummingbird - Castle Rock - Bubbles & Beats Sunday Brunch at Bar Hummingbird - 11:00am–3:00pm
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Rock - DCL Presents: Mary R. Lanni — Using Nursery Rhymes with Today's Kids - 2:00pm–3:30pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Sip & Spin Sundays at Wide Awake Eatery - 2:00pm–5:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jack Yoder at 105 West Brewing - 2:30pm–5:30pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Joseph Gacioch at Outlets - 3:00pm–6:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - 6:00pm–9:00pm
Elk Ridge Park - Castle Pines Summer Concert Series — That Eighties Band - 6:00pm–8:30pm
Monday, 6/29:
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Run Club at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–7:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition at Alidade Brewing - 6:00pm–8:00pm - $50
The Whiskey Lodge - Monday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Hike: Cherokee Setting of the Sun and Rising of the Full Moon - 7:15pm - $40
Heads up on events that are further out:
Sinners & Saints - Summer Connections: Speed Dating Night at Sinners & Saints (Ages 38-50) - Wed 7/1, 6:30pm–8:30pm - $28.52
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Groove 'N Motion (Powered by The Rocky Mountain Horns) - Fri 7/10 - $86.45
Festival Park - Pedal the Moon - Sat 7/11, 6:30pm–10:00pm - $16-$20
KB Ranch - Bovine and Crime: The Summer Farm Tour - Sat 7/11, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $80
Sudden Fiction Books - Book Club with K.J. Ramsey (Women of the West Author Series) - Sun 7/12, 6:00pm–8:30pm - $7.18
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Tunes for Trails: That Eighties Band - Thu 7/16, 6:30pm–9:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: Jackson Dean with Tigirlily Gold - Sat 7/18, 6:00pm–10:30pm - $35+
Worth the drive: other Douglas County events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below.
⚠️ 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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