Aurora’s 135th birthday party
The city of Aurora turns 135 this year, and is hosting a free Family Fun Birthday Party on May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aurora History Museum (15051 E. Alameda Parkway). There will be lots of party games, cake, face painting, crafts and more. As an added gift to the community, museum admission is complimentary during the party. Look on for details.
Crisp & Green – National Fitness Day
Getting fit usually means eating healthier — including lots of salads! To celebrate National Fitness Day, Crisp & Green is offering a green giveaway for one hour on May 2. The chain is offering a free entrée during its “Power Hour” from 3 to 4 p.m. Choose from a salad, grain bowl or wrap. No purchase necessary. The offer is only for Crisp & Green Rewards members. To qualify for the giveaway, members must download the C&G app and scan their rewards QR code at checkout. Get there early to secure a spot in line. There are five locations in Colorado: Boulder, Denver (2), Fort Collins and Lakewood.
Free Comic Book Day
Pow! Zap! Free! Comic book fans can swoop into local comic book shops around Denver for super fun on Free Comic Book Day on May 2. For more than 20 years, the action-packed day is the biggest event in the comic book industry — a single day when stores around the world give away comic books for free to all. It is an opportunity for newbies to ignite a new hobby or true fans to add to their growing collection. Activities and giveaways vary by shop. Many local stores are participating, including All C’s Collectibles Marketplace, Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles, Mile High Comics, Coffee Cat Comics, Amazing Fantasy Comics, Danny The Comic Shop, Hero Headquarters and more.
Denver Botanic Gardens plant sale
Grab your garden gloves and dig in to the highly anticipated annual spring plant sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St.) on May 8 and 9, with tens of thousands of plants available. In addition to 15 plant categories, the sale includes gardening supplies and gifts. Plus, the Gardens’ expert horticulturists will be on hand to answer any gardening questions. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own wagons and carts or even recycled boxes to transport plants. The sale runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission to the sale and gardens is free, but reservations are required. Credit/debit cards and checks are the only forms of payment accepted.
Lowe’s spring flowers giveaway
Spring over to Lowe’s for a flowery giveaway. Spring cleaning is all about sprucing up your home. And Lowe’s offers all of the supplies and equipment needed to get a fresh start for the season. The home improvement store is giving customers another reason to stop by the day before Mother’s Day. On May 9, Lowe’s is giving the first 150 customers at every location free spring flowers, starting at 10 a.m. No purchase necessary. The giveaway is only available for MyLowe’s Rewards members. Members must show proof of membership to participate in the giveaway. Look for the giveaway station at each location, usually near the front of the store. Get there early to ensure you get the freebie. There are 29 locations in Colorado.
Moms & Mimosas
Take the family on a Mother’s Day shopping spree. Head to the Outlets at Castle Rock for Moms & Mimosas on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ticketed event includes two free mimosas, brunch treats, access to a VIP suite, a $10 Outlets gift card, exclusive shopping coupons for top name brand stores, photo ops and more. Enjoy all of this for $15 (of which $10 goes to The Help and Hope Center of Castle Rock). This year, all participants must be 12 years or older.
Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass
This summer, Planet Fitness is making exercising more affordable for families with teens. The fitness center is bringing back its High School Summer Pass program, inviting teens ages 14 to 19 to work out for free at one of its many clubs — including 25 in the Denver metro area. The program runs from June 1 to Aug. 31. Teens under the age of 18 must sign-up with a parent or guardian. However, once they’re completely registered, teens can work out solo. Participants can only work out at the Planet Fitness location where they signed up. Families can start the registration process online or in-club starting on May 18.
Children’s Museum’s Joy Park free Fridays
Explore 60,000 square feet of outdoor adventure space for free at Children’s Museum’s Joy Park and Adventure Forest at its Denver Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr. Thanks to a collaboration with Denver Parks & Recreation, the family-friendly attraction is keeping the exhibit open after hours from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (or sunset) on select Fridays throughout the summer, starting May 22. Kids can rope swing over obstacles, conquer glass and log bridges, shoot down a 70-foot-long slide and discover panoramic views of Denver 90 feet in the air. Climbers must be 5 years old or 44 inches tall and be able to climb independently. The Joy Park water features will also be turned on for even more adventurous fun. (Except for the restrooms, the inside of the Children’s Museum will be closed.) Mark your calendar for the remaining free after-hours dates: June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 25.
Denver City Park Day
Spend a hot summer day in the city. The annual Denver City Park Day is back with a theme that takes the event all the way back to its first days with a free Victorian-themed Ice Cream Social on May 29. From 5 to 8 p.m., stop by the City Park Pavilion (1700 York St.) in Denver for free ice cream, live music, face painting and more. Feel free to dress is your finest Victorian era attire (encouraged) or just come as you are. The ice cream is from MyKings and live music is by the Denver Municipal Band. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend.
Jeffco Library Book Sale
It’s an ocean of deals at the Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale, sponsored by Friends of the Jefferson County Public Library. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 29 and 30, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 31. Held in the massive exhibit hall of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (15200 W. Sixth Ave.) in Golden, the sale boasts more than 90,000 books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, games and more. Prices range from $1 to $3.50 on most items. Rare and collectible items cost a little more, but are still a deal. Admission is $5 for adults. (SNAP recipients and attendees 18 and younger get in for free.) For bargain bibliophiles, Sunday is “Bag Day,” when you fit as many items as you can fit into a grocery-size bag for $12. Those who want to cherry pick the deals before the crowds can enter early at 8 a.m. on Friday for $10.
Ballet in the Park
Experience ballet on a budge. The Boulder Ballet’s annual Ballet in the Park presents outdoor dance performances from a family-friendly repertoire at the Boulder Bandshell (1212 Canyon Blvd.) on May 30 and 31. The mixed repertoire program features many short works showcasing the expansive range of ballet and the artistic works that have been performed throughout the season. The Saturday performance is at 7 p.m. The Sunday performance is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 (including fees). Seating is general admission.
Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez are freelance writers. Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 14 to 21 days in advance.
