RMNP Astronomy Fest
Friday-Saturday. Lots of people will be seeing stars — weather permitting — when Rocky Mountain National Park hosts a free, nighttime astronomy festival on Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3, on both sides of the park.
On the east side, there will be interactive daytime activities and solar viewing opportunities at the Fall River Visitor Center, which is located just outside the park entrance, so park entry reservations are not required. At night, when timed-entry reservations are not required to enter the park, guest speaker presentations will be held at the Beaver Meadows visitor center. Telescope viewing will be offered at the Upper Beaver Meadows parking area beginning at 8:30 p.m.
On the west side of the park, evening presentations will be held at the Kawuneeche visitor center, and telescope viewing will be offered beginning at 9 p.m. at the Grand Lake Library. Free and all-ages. Locations are in and around Grand Lake and Estes Park; see for details. — John Meyer
Water to whiskey at Stranahan’s
Sunday. The state’s 148th birthday celebration, also known as Colorado Day, falls on a Thursday (Aug. 1) this year, but many of us will still be celebrating this weekend. That includes Colorado-born Stranahan’s Whiskey Distillery, which hosts a party and river cleanup on Sunday, Aug. 4. Taking place from noon to 6 p.m., there will be live music, food trucks, $5 distillery tours, and “surprise giveaways,” organizers said.
Before that, however, volunteers will gather at 9:30 a.m. to pick up trash along the nearby South Platter River, and a portion of proceeds from the patio party go to nonprofit partner the Greenway Foundation, Stranahan’s said. Volunteers were encouraged to sign up by July 31, but organizers said to check back in before the event (in case slots open up). Cleanup crew members get a free breakfast, a distillery tour “with rare pours” and a cocktail or dram during the patio party when they register.
Events take place at 200 S. Kalamath St. in Denver. Register and learn more at . — John Wenzel
The “definitive” Colorado Day party
Saturday. History Colorado throws its own Colorado Day party on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the History Colorado Center in Denver, as well as at the Center for Colorado Women’s History.
The “definitive birthday party for Colorado” is free and all-ages, with living history and cultural demos from Colorado Inter-Tribal Dancers, Youth Mariachi Program, Chinese Lion dancers, along with face painting and sidewalk chalk stations, gold panning with the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a Colorado Proud produce booth featuring a green chile roaster with Pueblo green chiles, museum artifacts, and activity booths.
History Colorado’s museums across the state are also taking part with free admission; see for more. RSVPs are encouraged at . Denver events take place from 10 a.m.-to 5 p.m. at 1200 Broadway. — John Wenzel
Colorado Scottish Festival turns 60
Saturday-Sunday. Get a taste of Scotland as the Colorado Scottish Festival returns for its 60th event this weekend at Denver Polo Club. The family-friendly, “diamond jubilee” event features Scottish athletics, bagpipe and dance competitions, whisky tastings, clans/genealogy, living history, re-enactments, Scottish and Irish music, Celtic merchandise, beer and food, children’s activities, dogs, cars and more, organizers said.
Tickets are $20 per adult, per day, or $35 for a weekend pass. Kids tickets are $10; seniors and active military are $15; parking is $5. The festival runs 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at 6359 Airport Road in Sedalia. Visit for more. — John Wenzel
