Keep the Good Times Rolling

Riding bikes is a way of life in Denver, so it pays to keep your machine in good condition.

Sunday, July 19, 1:30-3:30, BikeDenver is hosting the "Nuts and Bolts of Bike Maintenance" on the west side of the Denver Public Library.

After your tune-up, you can ride on down to City Park for another in the series of City Park Jazz. Up this week: The Wendy Fopeano Group. Glinka, Dvorak & Tchaikovasky, good times.

If Classical is more your style, the Colorado Symphany Orchestra is playing Thursday, July 23 in Cheesman Park.

National Parks Fee-Free Weekend

The good people running our national gov'ment have decided we all need a break and are offering

Fee Free Weekends.

This weekend, July 18 & 19, more than 100 national parks will waive the entrance fee. Colorado Parks include Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds, Great Sand Dunes, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Admittedly, none of these are actually in Denver, but it's good to hit the road once in a while. Next Fee Free Weekend is August 15 & 16, so be spontaneous and hit the road, or plan ahead for next time. Either way, you'll get your money's worth. Thanks to loyal reader "Chase" for the tip.

I'm off to the Evergreen SummerFest Arts Festival with gal-pal "Linda" because I just can't get enough outdoor art shows. The difference between me and all those other fine artists is that I look at the work and nod my head thinking "I could do that"; but they do, and I don't. Hmmm. The show is Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm at Buchanan Park. It's NOT Free; you've been warned. Admission is $2. Give up a latte and get some real culture, already.

And Monday, July 20 is a free day at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Coming soon: First weekend in August, more free stuff than you can imagine!

Nothing says FUN like Family Reunion!

Yes, FunFans, it's summertime. Time for friends and relatives to come knocking at your door, looking for a cool mountain breeze. And who can blame them? It's beautiful this time of year in Colorado. I'm very excited about a visit from Uncle Bud and Aunt Diane. Diane is in the white hat, Uncle Bud is peeking out behind cousin Jessie on the far right. Hey, there's dad and mom on the left, me, Bubba Sam, sister-like Karen and girly Christina round the table. Anyhow, I'm going to spend my weekend spit shining the place in anticipation. Sounds boring, but I actually like cleaning my house, and it's FREE.

For the rest of y'all there's a little more social fun on the horizon.

Tattered Cover Film Series is showing The Theif of Bagdad at 7pm on Saturday at the Starz Film Center. (Free, but limited tickets).

City Park Jazz offers Purnell Steel and the Jazz Machine on Sunday, 6pm.

Are we having Fun yet?

Summer is officially on. Hope it's not too late to give you the scoop on fun free stuff coming up this weekend.

Friday, July 10, the Colorado Honor Band plays Skyline park at 1:15, just in time to swing the lunch crowd.

If you're still downtown and want more music, Rock Bottom Brewery is hosting The Rowdy ShadeHouse Funk Band at 5pm and Chris Daniels and the Kings at 7pm.

Saturday, July 11, our fabulous city offers another free movie in the park. This time at dusk, also at Skyline, 16th and Arapahoe downtown: Spiderman. Guaranteed to be a swinging good time.

And Monday, July 13 is a free day at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature.

Declare a "Family Personal Day", get the kids out of school and go have some fun.

On a personal note, some FREE things in Denver aren't so fun.

"Hey, who gave me this headcold?"

Cherry Creek Arts Fest ...

Free Fun on the Fourth of July

More Fun on the Fourth

More fun, free stuff to do this weekend!

Although a picnic isn't technically free, it can be darn cheap if you share with family and friends. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is free and it's priceless (remember, winter is only 6 short months away). Here's a list of city parks to explore. I promise there's one near you. Toss down and blanket and soak up some sun.

I'd be remiss if I didn't note that the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is also playing Red Rocks for free on July 5th. Parking costs $10 per car, so everybody pile in the family wagon.

Or, if you want to stay closer to town, check out the City Park Jazz series. Sunday, July 5th, Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine will be making smooth sounds for free. 6-8pm rain or shine.

Denver Santa Fe Arts District has first Friday Art Walk. There's a free bus to help you cover the scene. Denver Museum of Minitures, Dolls & Toys is free the first Sunday of the month (July 5th). Denver Ashram offers free yoga and mediation on Sundays to help you chill out after your rocking weekend.

Heads up: usually the Denver Art Museum is free for Colorado residents the first Saturday of every month, but the good folks there are taking a little R&R for themselves (they deserve it) so the DAM is closed July 4th. Likewise, next free day at Denver Botanic Gardens isn't until July 20 (no worries, I'll remind you), so hang out in Cheesman Park instead. Kids parade at 10am on the 4th.

It's the Fourth of July - America's Holiday

July 4th might be my favorite American holiday. It's summer and the living is easy. You don't have to drive to grandma's unless you want to, and there's no shopping pressure. BBQ, beer and fireworks. My kind of party. A LOTS for free fun.

First up: Fireworks

Thursday and Friday, July 3 and July 4, after the Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field. Tickets to the game cost money, but you can usually get a good look and plenty of noise from the ground (and bars) around the field.

Friday, July 4 following Outlaws Lacrosse game at Invesco Field at Mile High. Again, the Lacrosse costs a few bucks, but the fireworks can be seen all around the stadium.

Here's a complete list of fireworks in Colorado from our friends at Channel 7.

Also this weekend:

18th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The CCAF is one of the best art shows on calendar. Always hot and sometimes rains, but I wouldn't miss it. Located in the Cherry Creek North Business District, July 3rd, 4th and 5th. For a complete list of artists and events, check out CherryArts.org.

Friday, July 3, at 7 p.m. in City Park, the Colorado Symphany Orchestra is playing all your American favorites for free.

See you under the stars!

Free Music on 16th Street Mall

Hey FunFans, Wendy Woo is at Rock Bottom on the 16th Street Mall this Friday night. Always a good time. Click on the Special Offerings/Music at the Bottom for a complete schedule.

Show Your Pride - Have Some Fun!

Without question, this week's number one free fun has to be PrideFest. June 27 & 28, downtown Civic Center Park and surrounds. This is, according to FunFans, "the best people watching"and "the most fun" event on Denver's social calendar. "Denver’s PrideFest is a celebration of community, heritage, family and culture that sees more than 250,000 people from Colorado and surrounding areas come out to enjoy a parade, rally, music, entertainment, food and much more."

Headliner is Deborah ("don't call me Debbie") Gibson. You might remember her from the 80's. And if you're stuck in the 80's, you'll love friend Steve Spears' blog Stuck in the 80's. (It's Free!)

So be there! Wear your Rainbow with PRIDE!

More fun on the cheap

Hi FunFans. Here's a few more fun, free things to do coming up:

The Denver Central Library has free films. Coming up are Little Dieter Needs to Fly - Tuesday, June 23, 6-9pm: an extrordinary documentary about Dieter Dengler, a Navy pilot shot down and imprisoned by Pathet Lao, themes of dream, punishment and redemption. Maybe not so much for the kids. Also: Wheel of Time - Tuesday, June 30, 6-9pm. A documentary about Tibetan Buddhism.

On the lighter side, also at the Central Library: Playing Dog. Saturday, June 20, 1:30-3:30, this workshop features instruction on making toys for the family dog. Better than free: materials provided!

Denver Parks and Rec offers FREE movies at city parks all summer. This weekend, one of my all time favorites, The Princess Bride (PG), at dusk, Cheesman Park. Bring the family, spread out a blanket, enjoy the show. Better than free: FREE popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy.

Free Candy!

My friend Robyn and I were out to take advantage of a "buy one - get one FREE at Qdoba" coupon, which I scored at this weekend's Westwood Music Fest, when whatdoyouknow.. Here's me getting a FREE SoyJoy bar on the 16th Street Mall. Robyn got one, too!

I love this town.

Treat Dad like a King - for FREE!

C'mon, it's FATHER'S DAY

Since I work for the Denver Newspaper Agency, my #1 source for free, fun stuff to do in Denver is the Denver Post.

Whatever else you do, remember Sunday, June 20 is Father's Day.Treat dad like a king this weekend! Here's some ideas:

First and Foremost: It's Juneteenth! Sat., June 20, 9am to 6pm in the Historic Five Points District. Parade at 9am from Manual High School to 24th and Welton, live entertainment, vendors and children's pavilions. FREE.

How about the Dandelion Festival? Saturday, June 20, 11am -4pm. Create a container garden, take a mini yoga class, do a little shopping, all Free! (except the shopping). Moondance Botanicals, Corner of 6th and Corona.


The Library: always a good time for free: Saturday, June 20, 2-3pm. Doc Murdock's Magical Delights. Magician, comedian and ventriloquist Doc Murdock will astound you with tricks, puzzles and humor! This program will please, baffle and entertain the curious of all ages.

Good Times in Parker! ParkerFest! every Sunday from 8:00am-2:00pm through October 11th. Activities will cover 3 blocks in the Old Town Parker; a free family festival of prepared foods, produce, flowers, arts, crafts and more.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. There's so much to do here, I'll have get some rest and get back with ya! Stay tuned for an action packed weekend!

Welcome to Mile High Fun

I want to share my love of Denver and all the fun, free (or nearly free) things there are to do in the Mile High City. Just about every weekend in the summer, we close the streets for some good old fashioned fun. We have parades and fairs and concerts and movies and most of them are free.

The picture is me in Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods isn't actually in Denver (it's near Colorado Springs, south down I-25 about an hour) but it is a national park, free and open to the public. Just one of the beautiful natural settings an easy drive from downtown. So stick around. There's plenty of fun to be had Colorado.