Tonight. Golden is nicely situated for a chili cookoff: The Coors factory means ice-cold beer is always at the ready to soothe scorched taste buds. Tonight, the “Knock Your Boots Off” chili cookoff will challenge professionals and amateurs alike to whip up their best recipe — and share it with everyone. It’s part of Golden’s First Friday Block Party, and all are welcome to sample the competing chilis. This is Homecoming weekend for the Colorado School of Mines too, and this is just the kickoff. Even if they don’t like chili, kids will enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides and trips on the “Chipmunk Express” train. 5-8 p.m. tonight. The party will be in the parking lot behind Foss Building Wine and Spirits, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Tickets to taste chili are $10. Kids ages 10 and younger are free.
Saturday. Denver’s future superheroes will want to keep tuning in to “tRUNks,” Buntport Theater Company’s live series for kids. The “tRUNks” were once normal citizens. Now they’re crime-fighting heroes: The Volt, The Cute, The Germ and Scott (he’s a parrot). Every other Saturday, Buntport stages an all-new, all-original “episode” of the show for kids and their families. The series runs through April 4. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St.; 720-946-1388. Tickets are $4-$6, depending on what you roll on the dice at the door. Wear a superhero costume to get a discount. Bring cash — Buntport doesn’t take credit cards.
Saturday. Hear some of Colorado’s top children’s authors read from their books at the downtown Barnes and Noble on Saturday. Each writer is a finalist for a 2008 Colorado Book Award in the children’s category, and they’re only days away from the Oct. 8 awards ceremony. T.A. Barron and Steve Jenkins, both of Boulder, will read “The Day the Stones Walked” and “Living Color.” Representing Highlands Ranch is Claudia Cangilla McAdam and her book, “Maria’s Mysterious Mission.” Stop in for a mid-day story break. 11 a.m. Saturday. Barnes and Noble, 500 16th St.; 303-825-9166. Free.
Today. Send in the clowns — and elephants and acrobats and daredevils of all stripes. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus pulled into town Thursday for an extended stay at the Denver Coliseum. This year’s show, “Over the Top,” is just what it sounds like: Death-defying antics, stalking tigers and stomping elephants. And before each show, ticketholders can visit with some of those animal performers at an Animal Open House, starting an hour-and-a-half before the performance. 7:30 p.m. tonight. The circus runs through Oct. 13, with shows at 7:30 every night and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The circus takes two days off Oct. 6-7. Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St.; 720-865-4220. Tickets are $15-$82 and are available at .
Saturday-Sunday. Get a taste of fall at the Lakewood Cider Days Festival this weekend. The 33rd annual celebration of all things autumn includes live entertainment, hay rides, arts and crafts, shopping and, of course, apples aplenty. Bring your own, and use a press to make fresh apple cider, or just buy a gallon to take home. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lakewood’s Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow St.; 303-987-7850. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 3 to 12.
