Afternoon delight
Starbucks is making late summer afternoons a little cooler with its popular “Treat Receipt” promo. Through Aug. 30, make a purchase in the morning, bring the receipt back to any participating location the same day after 2 p.m. and get a Grande cold beverage (including Frappuccinos) for $2.50. Budget-conscious customers can buy a cookie straw for 95 cents or banana for $1 in the morning to keep costs at a minimum. Our suggestion: If you’re buying more than one item, pay for each one separately. Then, you’ll have more promo receipts to share with friends and family later in the day.
Into the woods
Denver’s Bass Pro Shops (7970 Northfield Blvd., Denver) invites kids to polish their outdoor skills for free during its Next Generation Weekend on Aug. 27 and 28. Each day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., youngsters can try out the Daisy BB shooting range and archery challenge. The first 50 kids to compete in both the archery and shooting challenges each day receive a free orange safety vest. The first 100 kids who complete a punch card each day receive a free drawstring backpack. Plus, there will be lots of craft projects for more hands-on fun.
Cultural affair
Take a trip around the world without leaving the city limits. The Denver Sister Cities Worldwide Festival is on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tivoli Center (900 Auraria Pkwy.) on the Metropolitan State University campus. The free festival features food, art, food and the cultures of Denver’s 12 sister and friendship cities: Axum, Ethiopia; Chennal, India; Brest, France; Karmiel, Israel; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Akureyri, Iceland; Kunming, China; Nairobi, Kenya; Potenza, Italy; Takayama, Japan, Ulaanbaatar, Mongola; and Ramat HaNegev, Israel. Enjoy dance groups, singers, crafts and so much more. The cultural affair continues from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a free concert featuring world music.
Art of the deal
There’s a good reason the Affordable Arts Festival is called the “Black Friday” of art sales. Every piece of art is priced at $100 or less. Bargain hunters line up early for the outdoor event on Aug. 28 at Arapahoe Community College (5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton). More than 150 Colorado and national artists sell their works in a variety of mediums, from watercolors and photographs to sculpture and jewelry. Don’t let the low prices fool you. This is fine art, not junk. Gates open at 9 a.m., but many art aficionados line up earlier to nab the best deals. Admission is $5, with children 12 and under free, and proceeds go to the ACC Scholarship program.
Sub plot
Subway always makes for a quick and inexpensive lunch option, even moreso with its latest special. For $3.50, get the 6-inch “Sub of the Day” at participating locations. Here’s the weekly line-up: Sunday, Meatball Marinara; Monday, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki; Tuesday, Oven-Roasted Chicken; Wednesday, Turkey Breast; Thursday, Italian BMT; Friday, Tuna; and Saturday, Black Forest Ham. For an even better deal, buy the footlong version for $6 on each respective day. There is an additional charge for extras, including double-meat. The offer is for a limited time. Want a free sub? Sign up for its weekly text offers for a free 6-inch sub with drink purchase. Text OFFERS to 782929.
Every Saturday, Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez at compile “Cheap Checklist” to help smart shoppers find freebies, discounts and deals. Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 10 to 14 days in advance.
