Saturday-Sunday. Colorful, ferocious-looking dragon boats are an improbable sight in the middle of Colorado, but they’re becoming a summer staple at Sloan’s Lake. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival marks its eighth year this summer with an expanded schedule of boat races and family activities. This year, the festival features official regional qualifying races for the American Dragon Boat Association — that means the action is serious. The boat races will engage corporate, youth and mixed-adult teams in friendly competition, too.
And there’s plenty to do between races: Browse the marketplace, sample a variety of Asian cuisines and check out cultural demonstrations. The Dragonland area is meant for kids, with educational activities and crafts. Park for free at Invesco Field and catch a free shuttle to the festival. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sloan’s Lake Park, at the corner of West 23rd Avenue and Stuart Street. Admission is free. Visit for a full schedule of events.
Tuesday. With a new album in stores and a tour stop in Boulder Tuesday, Kidz Bop continues its mission to bring pop music to the littlest of fans. The 14th edition of the hit album series features youngsters singing age-appropriate versions of Top-40 tunes. Songs by Rihanna, Leona Lewis and Sean Kingston all get the Kidz Bop treatment on the latest album. Expect a similar set list at the Boulder show, complete with sparkly costumes and a cheerful attitude. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., 303-786-7030. Reserved seats are $29.50, general admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3 to 12. To order advance tickets, call or buy online at .
Tonight-Sunday. For the next few weekends, Dorothy and her pals the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow follow the Yellow Brick Road through Evergreen. The Evergreen Players present L. Frank Baum’s musical version of “The Wizard of Oz’ through Aug. 10 at Center/Stage.
A live orchestra accompanies the action, and the audience is welcome to sing along. 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Center/ Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen; 303-674-4002. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for students and seniors age 60 and older, and $8 for kids 12 and under. Visit . to purchase advance tickets. Call 303-674-4934 for more information.
Tonight-Saturday. Bear Creek Lake Park celebrated 25 years in Lakewood this week, and the fun’s not over yet. Catch the last two days of festivities: The Grin and Bear It Adventure Race is a family-friendly version of the Bearable Adventure Race. Adults and kids team up to cross water, run 2 to 3 miles and bike about 6 miles in the relatively easy competition. Then, on Saturday, Wendy Woo closes out the birthday party with a concert on the lawn of the park’s swim beach. Race begins at 6 p.m. tonight. Wendy Woo plays at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Bear Creek Lake Park, C-470 and Morrison Road; 303-697-6159. Admission to the park is free on Friday. Race registration is $20 per team. Admission to the Wendy Woo concert is $5 per car or free for BCLP pass holders. Visit . for more information and to download a race registration form.
