Alright, per usual, overdid it this past weekend with all the fall fests and other events, but it was well worth it and I'm going to miss this weekend's events so had to stock up. Gilly's Pumpkin Patch and the Highland Games were definitely the highlights. Gilly's runs two more Fridays and Saturdays if you want something nice and local. Here's a good spot for photos out there. More info on our experience here.
Highland Games — gone, but make sure you save the date for next year: Sep 25-26. My highlight was giving treats to the Irish Wolfhound “puppies” that are massive even at four months (the dad was a lean 160 with 10 more pounds of muscle to add) and the Westies. I got to meet Crew member Ann's Westie named Thistle, who was a little tuckered out from all the day's happenings (and the heat).
And if all of that wasn't eventful enough, I put myself through the emotional rollercoaster that was the Broncos game with 11 others at the DougCo Social Broncos Meetup at Great Divide. Thanks, Ivonne, for sharing this with me and always reminding me that “we still have time.”
FYI — sounds like the final trail, Rustler's Ridge, is finished out at Lost Canyon, so I'll be hitting that and the recently completed Golden Eagle as soon as I can. Will report back.
FYIx2 — Border Burger Sports Bar is slated to open up this Wednesday at 11am where Trifecta used to be (three story restaurant and bar by the Outlets).
October in Castle Rock
Last week we covered a lot of the fall fests going on now and in October. And as promised, here's some more for the rest of October, which starts with food and ends full spooky.
Restaurant Week — Downtown Castle Rock · Fri Oct 2 to Sun Oct 11
23 downtown restaurants each make one special item that isn't on their normal menu
The specials get posted on Downtown Castle Rock's social media once October starts, so they should drop this week
The lineup: Scileppi's at the Old Stone Church, Wild Blue Yonder, Castle Cafe, Bien Y Tu, Playa Bowls, Block & Bottle, B's Craft Deli & Market, Z'Abbracci, Angie's, BAGL, Union Bistro, Arayes, Sinners & Saints, Stack'd, Dos Santos, Wide Awake Eatery, Port of Subs, Courtyard Social, Castleview Cafe, The Compas, Homegrown Tap & Dough, The Office Co. and B&B Cafe
Last year I was sidelined with a cold and missed the whole thing, but this year I'm hoping to actually partake. I'd tell you where I'm going, but I've got to wait and see what everyone's dropping!
Also early in the month
Castle Rock Trail Festival — Sat Oct 3 at Miller Park, back for its seventh year. 5K to 50K on the Ridgeline trails, plus the liveBIG Family Adventure Run at 10:30am. Online registration closed 9/28, but you can still sign up race day for $15 more (the Family Run excluded)
Pumpkin patches and fall fests (Gilly's, Lone Creek Farms out in Franktown, Fall Fest at Alidade, PumpkinFest at The Grange, Happy Dog Ranch) were all in last week's issue. Catch up here
Fall Festival featuring Creepy Crawlies Around the Rock — Festival Park · Sun Oct 18 · 10am to 3pm · free
Dozens of food and craft vendors from the folks behind the Festival Park Farmers Market: roasted chilies, fall produce and locally grown pumpkins
Pumpkin decorating, fall crafts, outdoor games and a photo booth for the kids
Douglas Land Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance bring some of Castle Rock's creepiest creatures: snakes, toads and other invertebrates
The Halloween rundown
For the little ones
Boo Bash at The Little Gym — Sat Oct 10, 2 to 4pm. $10 per kid early bird, $15 at the door, RSVP. Costumes, a scavenger hunt, crafts and local vendors
Pumpkins in the Pool at SafeSplash — Sat Oct 17, 2 to 5pm, 658 Genoa Way. Free with an RSVP: swimming, crafts, snacks and face painting. Anyone 12 and under needs an adult in the pool with them
Fangtastic Festival — Fri Oct 30, 11am to 2pm at Festival Park, free. A daytime trick-or-treat set up for little ones not in school yet and homeschool families
Baby's First Halloween at The Little Gym — Sat Oct 31, 9 to 10am, free, for babies 13 months and under
For everyone else
Spooktacular — Sat Oct 17, 1 to 4pm at Miller Park, free. A trick-or-treat trail, the Millhouse Manor scavenger hunt, a Pumpkin Picasso station, face painting and food trucks. Costumes encouraged, not required
Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales — walking tours of downtown from the Castle Rock Museum. 7pm on Oct 1, 7, 8, 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29, plus 1pm on Oct 17 and 31. Free, but reservations are required: 303-814-3164
Big Jack's Great Hide-and-Seek Adventure — all month at the Outlets. Pick up a map, find his 12 missing Hobbit friends hiding in the stores, and earn a prize
Dads of Castle Rock Trunk or Treat — Sat Oct 24, 5 to 8pm at Douglas County High School. Decorated trunks, food trucks, bounce houses and, new this year, a petting zoo. They're still taking trunk decorators if you want to host one
That Eighties Band Halloween Party — Sat Oct 31, 7 to 10:30pm at Wide Open Saloon in Sedalia. Ticketed, with a costume contest and prizes for best individual and best couples costume
Sinners & Saints — nothing announced yet, but last year they threw their annual Halloween Dance Party on the 31st, with DJs and a costume contest. We'll share it if it's on again
Meet Lyra
Lyra is about 3.5 years old and has been waiting on a home since April. She was found as a pregnant stray in Texas, had six puppies at a shelter there, and then she and the pups came up to Front Range German Shepherd Rescue.
She's on the smaller side for a female German Shepherd and, per her foster, as sweet as they come. She's housetrained and crate trained, loves long walks and hikes, and is always on the lookout for deer and turkeys. The one must-have: a playful male dog in the house. She'd be too anxious as an only dog.
Sports
Broncos — Down 16-0 at the half Sunday night, we came all the way back to beat the Rams (30-26). Talanoa Hufanga had two fourth-quarter picks, including a 66-yard pick-six, and Bo Nix dove in from a yard out with 47 seconds left for the win. Per the team, it's the first time in franchise history the Broncos have overcome double-digit second-half deficits in back-to-back weeks. That puts us 2-1. We head @ San Francisco Sun, Oct 4 at 2:25pm. Chiefs are doing what the Chiefs do and are 3-0, the Raiders are playing out of their minds thanks to Kirko Chains and are 3-0, while the Chargers are “Chargering” and are 0-3 with a very tough schedule coming up.
Nuggets — Camp time, and you can hear the collective sigh of relief from here. At media day Monday, Jokić put the contract talk to bed: “I'm going to sign next year,” he said, then deadpanned, “if they want me.” Exhale, Nuggets Nation. We also signed Cam Whitmore to a two-way contract last Tuesday, and the preseason opens vs Utah Sun, Oct 4.
Avalanche — T.J. Hughes made the most of his shot: a hat trick in the preseason win over the Jets (5-2), and Jared Bednar confirmed Sunday that he's made the opening-night roster. We closed out the preseason with a loss in Utah (2-0). Now it counts: we host the Kings Wed, Sep 30 and the Blues Sat, Oct 3.
Rockies — That's a wrap. We dropped the finale at the White Sox on Sunday (4-2) to finish 58-104, 5th in the NL West. We narrowly “beat out” the Angels for the worst record (they were 62-100)…
Rapids — Lost at the LA Galaxy on Saturday (3-2). We're 11-13-3 with 36 points through 27 matches, 7th in the West. No match this week. Next up, we host San Jose Sat, Oct 10 at 7:30pm.
Summit FC — Lost at Kansas City on Saturday (4-1). We're 9-9-8 with 35 points through 26 matches, 10th in the NWSL. We head @ Chicago Stars Sun, Oct 4 at 2pm.
Sabercats Football — the Sabercats fell to Valor Christian at home (49-0) and are 3-2. They head to Fountain-Fort Carson on Friday, October 2nd at 7pm. Check out their schedule.
Huskies Football — the Huskies rolled at Highlands Ranch (47-14) to stay perfect at 5-0. They travel to Smoky Hill on Thursday, October 1st at 7pm. Check out their schedule.
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Noteworthy
Mayor Gray's last State of the Town is Thursday (and there are goats)
After eight years as Castle Rock's first elected at-large mayor, Jason Gray gives his final State of the Town this Thursday, Oct 1, and the Town is billing it as the G.O.A.T.: the Greatest Overview of All Things Castle Rock. Yes, there will be actual goats to meet and pet before he takes the stage.
It's free and family-friendly, starting at 6pm at Cantril School, 312 Cantril St, and the presentation runs about 40 minutes: updates on public safety, parks and rec, roadwork, water and development, plus a look at 2027 and beyond.
Parking at Cantril is limited, so the Town is asking folks to park at the Encore garage at Perry and South and ride the free Town Trolley, which runs from 5:15 to 7pm.
Castle Rock Jobs
Looking for more? Every open job we track across the county lives at dougcosocial.com/jobs.
Best of Douglas County
Don't forget to get your vote in. You can always change it or add more as you try new places.
Tons of categories. Best burger, best green chile, best cinnamon roll, etc. Takes a minute or two. No wrong answers.
Events
Tuesday, 9/29:
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia - 7pm–9pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Trivia Night - 6pm–8pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia - 7pm - Free
Goldie Links Permanent Jewelry - Ladies Night Out! - 6pm–8pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour - 10am–11:30am (daily through Sat 10/3) - $21–$24
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds - 5pm–7:30pm (also Thu 10/1) - $44
Wednesday, 9/30:
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6pm–8pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Weekly Bingo - 6:30pm–9pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Karaoke Night - 6pm–9pm - Free
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Game Night: Daggerheart - 6pm–9pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Mountain Bike Ride - 6pm–7pm - Free
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Sea Turtles or Ladybugs Paint & Sip with Emma Paints - 6pm–9pm - $60.54
Festival Park - A Rally of Hope 2026 (Rescheduled) - 5:30pm–7:30pm - Free
Philip S. Miller Building - Courageous Conversations: Well-being of Our Youth - 6pm–7:30pm - Free
Thursday, 10/1:
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night - 6pm–8:30pm - Free
Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6pm–8pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing - 6pm–10pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Western Line Dancing Night - 7pm–9pm - Free
Lone Creek Farms (Franktown) - Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival - Thu 10am–5pm, Fri–Sun 10am–9pm, through 11/1 - $23.95–$27.95
Cantril School Building - 2026 State of the Town - 6pm–7pm - Free
New Hope Presbyterian Church - Castle Rock Jigsaw Jam: Teams Speed Puzzling - 6pm–8:30pm - $12.50 per person
Castle Rock Museum - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour - 7pm–8pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 1pm–3pm (also Fri 10/2 + Sat 10/3) - $74.95
Friday, 10/2:
Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - Fri 10/2 + Sat 10/3, 10am–dark - $5 a person / $20 a family
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Murder Mystery: Ultimate 80's Party - 6pm–9:15pm - $84.95
Wide Awake Eatery - Dinner and Dueling Pianos - 6pm–9pm - $28.52
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band - 6pm–9pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon - Hot Boots Band - 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - 7pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Kyle O'Brien — Live at the Altar - 8pm–10pm - Free
AdventHealth Castle Rock - Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies Gathering - 10am–12pm - Free
Saturday, 10/3:
Barnside Pumpkins (Sedalia) - Barnside Pumpkins - Sat 10/3 + Sun 10/4, 10am–5pm - Free admission
Alidade Brewing - Fall Fest at Alidade Brewing - 12pm–6pm - Free
Miller Park - Castle Rock Trail Festival and liveBIG Family Adventure Run - 6am–3:30pm - online sign-up closed; race-day registration is $15 more than the $33.42–$113.76 online prices (Family Run excluded)
Rock Solid Fitness & Wellness Club - Free Pilates Class: Meet Coach Morgan - 7:30am - Free
Elevation Golf Club - Elevation Golf Club Anniversary Open House - Sat 10/3 + Sun 10/4, 12pm–2pm - Free
Castle Rock Museum - Cedar Hill Cemetery Walking Tour - 4pm–5pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - BadCo - 7pm–10:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music - 7pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon - Karaoke with Jammin Joes - 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Castle Rock Farmers Market - 8am–12:30pm - Free
Sunday, 10/4:
Festival Park - Festival Park Farmers Market - 9am–2pm - Free
Teaology Tea Cafe - All Things Spiritual at Teaology - 10am–12pm - Free
The Emporium - Little Legends Market at The Emporium - 10am–1pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Runway for a Reason - 1pm–4pm - $49–$100
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - 6pm - Free
Monday, 10/5:
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Run Club - 6pm–7pm - Free
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events.
Heads up on events that are further out:
Spur of the Moment (Larkspur) - The Closers Return with Larkspur's Own Bobby Swift - Fri 10/9, 6pm–9pm - Free
The Grange - PumpkinFest at The Grange - Sat 10/10, 12pm–3pm - Free
Miller Park Amphitheater - Glow Dance Party - Therapeutic Recreation Fundraiser - Sat 10/10, 7pm–9:30pm - $10 ages 5 to 14, $20 ages 15 and up
The Emporium - Cocktails & Cauldrons — An After-Hours Event at The Emporium - Thu 10/15, 6pm–8pm - $20
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - Fri 10/16, 6pm - $86.80
Indian Creek Campground (Sedalia) - 13th Annual Indian Creek Trail Runs - Sat 10/17, 5-mile to 50-mile races - $64.60–$181.20
Festival Park - Castle Rock Fall Festival featuring Creepy Crawlies Around the Rock - Sun 10/18, 10am–3pm - Free
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.
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