Saturday-Sunday. Belmar will look more like Bologna during the neighborhood’s fifth annual Festival Italiano this weekend. Food and wine, of course, are the cornerstones of the celebration, with several chef demonstrations and wine seminars scheduled on both days. Non-foodies will find plenty to do, too, from basic Italian-language lessons to pizza acrobatics to live music and dancing. Kid-friendly activities abound, with one big, messy highlight: Starting at noon both days, kids can stomp the grapes for “Little Feet Merlot” every two hours. Proceeds from pre-orders of the wine will go to charity. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. West Alaska Drive and South Teller Street, Lakewood. Free.
Today-Sunday. Horse lovers, head to the high country this weekend for the southwest-Colorado edition of the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in Ignacio. It’s an equine extravaganza, featuring all sorts of shopping and seminars on safety, horsemanship, training and more. New this year is the Extreme Cowboy Race, a speedy obstacle course that tests horse and rider alike. Heats begin today; finals are on Sunday. 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Sky Ute Event Center, 200 E. Colorado 151, Ignacio. Day passes are $12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. Three-day passes are $30. For more information and to purchase passes in advance, visit .
Tonight-Sunday. Everyone’s favorite sad-sack schoolkid, Charlie Brown, gets a self-esteem boost in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” opening tonight at the Englewood Civic Center. Originally a Broadway musical, the show follows Charlie through a typical day in his life: Snoopy’s antics, Lucy’s outbursts, the stubborn kite and a crush on The Little Red-Haired Girl. The play also runs Sept. 26-28. 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Hampden Hall at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway; 303-762-2300. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.
Tonight. Welcome back fall at the Mother-and- Son Masquerade Ball in Highlands Ranch tonight at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion. Guests can hide their identities with a free mask while they dance the night away. Admission includes hors d’oeuvres and a commemorative photo to take home. 6:30-8:30 p.m. today. Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9900 Ranch Road. Admission is $25 for Highlands Ranch Community Association members, $33 for nonmembers. Call 303-791-2500 for more information.
Tonight. Future footballers are invited to show off their skills at the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick contest in Lafayette tonight. Boys and girls ages 8 to 15 compete against others in their age group to move on to a regional competition. The finals, in January, are held at an NFL playoff game. Bring your kid’s birth certificate — this is serious business — but leave the cleats at home. At ., a link to the Punt, Pass and Kick page will take you to downloadable registration forms, complete rules and quick drills kids can do to practice for the contest. 6 p.m. today. LaMont Does Park, 500 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette. Free.
