Knit
A yarn dance
Bags by CAB Yarn Shoppe in Larimer Square and the Knit Knack Yarn Shop in Arvada are among the nearly two dozen local yarn stores participating in the first Yarn Along the Rockies Yarn Crawl, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Sept. 16. Registered participants receive their “personal passports” and collect official stamps when they visit stores and register for prizes donated by vendors. Special deals and promotions are offered at each location, and there’s a drawing for that store’s grand-prize basket. Visit the website for details.
Delizioso
Mamma mia!
The ninth annual Festival Italiano gets underway in Belmar on Saturday and Sunday with Italian food, wine, art and culture, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. There’s also continuous live music on two stages, fashion shows, wine tastings, grape stomping for kids, a bocce tournament, chef demonstrations and more. Traditional Italian flag throwers have been flown in from Italy and will perform throughout the weekend. A portion of the proceeds benefit Project Angel Heart. Admission is free. Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, 303-742-1520,
Go
Harvest time
Garden tours, works by local artists, hors d’oeuvres and live music happen at “Harvest: A Community Art Show and Gala” presented by Denver Urban Gardens and Art Farm, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. DUG operates more than 120 community gardens in the metro area; Art Farm organizes and promotes local art exhibits. Free; donations accepted. West Washington Park Community Garden, 201 Grant St.,
Tour
Elk dot com
Cameras and questions are welcome as the Rocky Mountain Nature Association Elk Expeditions: Educational Adventures by Bus begins Friday. Registered guests travel through Rocky Mountain National Park as a professional naturalist guide explains the fall rut season of bugling, herding and more of the elk mating ritual. Tours are offered 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Oct. 20. Call 970-586-3262 or visit for details.
Navigate
Left or right?
Hard to believe, but it’s time for the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s annual Corn Maze, opening Friday. Fruits and vegetables is the theme of the new 8-acre maze illuminated by two 15-foot-tall bridges. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 28. Admission varies. Special activities include a haunted maze for teens and adults and “Trick or Treat in the Trail” for tots. A McDonald’s Mini-Maze is free. More a-maze-ing details at the website. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton,
