Family Friendly Things To Do in Parker Colorado

Honey Festival O’Brien Park Parker CO

June 14, 2022 By Chrissy

honey festival honey bees parker colorado august

Find something sweet at the Annual Honey Festival!

Honey Festival Sunday, August 7, 2022, 9-1

The annual Town of Parker Honey Festival is buzzing its way back for another BEE-utiful event. Bring your family and enjoy this free community event while learning about the benefits of the honeybee.

Bee a Guest

See hives and how bees make honey
Learn from local beekeepers
Learn how bees and other insects help your garden grow
Create honeybee crafts
Try on a beekeeper’s suit
Sample honey
Enter a drawing to win bee-friendly plants
Enter a drawing to win a beekeeping starter kit
Take home oodles of beekeeping materials to build your own hive and harvest honey like a pro!

Bee Events in the Gazebo

9:30 – 9:50 a.m. How to become a beekeeper
10:00 – 10:00 a.m. Storytime
10:30 – 10:50 a.m. Native Bees
11:00 – 11:10 a.m. Storytime
11:30 – 11:50 a.m. Pollinators
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Jeapor”bee”

Bee Friendly Exhibitors

Wander the festival grounds and talk to local beekeepers selling local honey and other products from the hive. Beekeepers are always eager to share their knowledge and passion for their craft. Natural Grocers will be on hand to educate you on the healthy properties of natural honey. Tagawa Gardens will be there with bee-friendly plants to raffle. Taste delicious treats made with honey by the Parker Arts Chef. Pick up a free honey stick and learn about Parker’s Cultural and Scientific Commission. Find health and beauty products made with honey and beeswax. Learn about the vital role of honey bees and other pollinators in the production of our food. Check out the local beekeeping club, the Southeast Beekeepers, and find out how to join this group if you aspire to be a beekeeper. More than 20 exhibitors and vendors are expected to participate in the Honey Festival.

Bee Involved!

Your organization or business can participate in the Honey Festival. We are looking for event vendors to provide information, products, and services. Vendors include but are not limited to beekeeping clubs and organizations, environmental and gardening resources, beekeeping and harvesting products, honey products, beekeeping demonstrations and hands-on activities, and various supporting agencies.

Contact

For questions or additional information please contact Lindsay Bagby, Event Coordinator – Town of Parker Cultural Department, at 303.805.3379 or lbagby@parkeronline.org.

Apply

To participate in the Honey Festival as an exhibitor or vendor, please submit an online Exhibitor & Vendor Application.

A $20 exhibitor & vendor application is required if accepted. Fees are payable via check made to the Town of Parker or by credit card via the online application process.

Parker Loves Bees!
Parker joined the ranks of Colorado municipalities to allow and promote urban beekeeping with the adoption of a new Town ordinance on Oct. 11, 2015. Click here to learn more about the Town of Parker beekeeping ordinance.

This event coincides with the ever-popular Parker Farmers Market which runs from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Click here to learn more about bee-friendly plants

About the Annual Honey Festival

The Parker Cultural Department and Cultural and Scientific Commission present this annual Honey Festival in celebration of the Honey Bee and all the benefits it brings to the community. The event is designed to heighten awareness and appreciation while providing educational information and resources regarding the Honey Bee, honey products and beekeeping, and the global importance of all pollinating insects. This free event allows guests of all ages to speak with local beekeepers, organizations and vendors to learn the process of beekeeping and harvesting honey; in addition to receiving educational material and honey recipes, purchasing bee-friendly plants, test a bee keeper’s suite, and see live working hives.

Events & Shopping at Southlands

June 10, 2022 By Chrissy

SOUTHLANDS WINE WALK

THURSDAY, JUNE 2nd | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Wine, entertainment, sidewalk sales, and more!

Tickets: $15 in advance | $25 day of

Purchase your tickets here

*Must be 21+

*Valid ID required at check-in

Parker Wine Walks Info

Southlands Shopping Center is launching its roster of community-focused summer events starting this month through September. The wide variety of events is meant to appeal to every member of the family.

“At Southlands, we are known as the area’s popular gathering space for family-friendly events throughout the year. They are a great complement to the center’s vibrant line-up of retail – both national and local, numerous dining options and a wide variety of service-oriented businesses,” said Martin Liles, General Manager.

Outlined below are the summer events with corresponding dates:

Farmer’s Market: From mid-May through October 1, the Southlands Farmer’s Market offers visitors local produce, pastas, baked goods, and more every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Town Square.

Summer Concert Series: One of the center’s most popular events is Sounds of Southlands Summer Concert Series featuring well-known area bands every Thursday from June 16 – August 4 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.

New! Southlands Sunset Markets: At this new summer event held on Wednesdays, shoppers can purchase items from local artisans, crafters and jewelers while enjoying a glass of wine, beer or dine al fresco at one of Town Square’s many restaurants. Southlands Sunset Markets start June 15 from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Just North of Parker you will find a fabulous outdoor shopping experience at Southlands.

Southlands is not only a shopping center but serves as a town center for Aurora with events of all kinds for all ages and interests. From the Sounds of Southlands Concert series in the summer to the many holiday events around the ice skating rink “The Pond” all winter.

Southlands Shopping Center is launching its summer event series including its popular Farmer’s Markets and Sound of Southlands concert series, Movies on the Square, and their Annual Wine Walks. Southlands paused or reworked many of its events and is looking forward to the return of community-focused events this summer.

For the comfort of their guests, Southlands will limit seating capacity for concerts and movies and is charging $5 per group per event. All proceeds will be donated to the Cherry Creek School District Foundation and the Aurora Public Schools Foundation.

“Our commitment to the community is one of our pillars here at Southlands,” said Martin Liles, General Manager. “As we look forward to the return of in-person events, our commitment to the community is stronger than ever. That is one of the reasons we’ve partnered with Cherry Creek and Aurora School Foundations for our summer series. Our dedication to helping family and friends create long-lasting memories is a priority, while also serving our community.”
Martin Liles, General Manager.

Jill Henden, Executive Director of CCSF said “We are proud to be a community partner of Southlands Shopping Center and because of partnerships, we are able to continue to support K-12 education in our community. These $5 donations add up, and directly impact the next generation of educators and student communities. Our educator initiative grants are crucial to our district’s success and are awarded to classroom teachers that use innovative and creative instructional approaches.”

Outlined below are the summer events with corresponding dates:

Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday until September 25, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., the Farmer’s Market offers guests various products from local artisans along with foods including seasonal produce, western slope fruit, cured meats, homemade pasta, baked goods, and more.

Summer Concert Series: The Sounds of Southlands Summer Concert Series at Town Square features the city’s most talented musicians every Thursday from July 8 to Aug. 12, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.. Tickets on sale 10 days before each show. The cost is $5. This donation directly benefits the Cherry Creek School Foundation and Aurora Public Schools Foundation.

Jill Ruiter, Executive Director of the APS Foundation said, “We are grateful to Southlands as a community partner, and plan to use the donations to leverage resources for innovative programs and help students prepare for their future. Community partners like Southlands help us further our mission and our commitment to our students.”

Summer Concert Series:

MOVIES ON THE SQUARE at SOUTHLANDS

Movies on the Square: Every Wednesday from July 21-Aug. 11, Southlands will host movie nights for the local community to attend at the Town Square. Each movie requires a $5 donation benefiting APSF and CCSF. The movie nights will offer three family-friendly movies, and one date night movie (PG 13+).

Tickets will go on sale nine (9) days before each movie here.

Southlands Center for Denver Foodies

savory spice shop drizzle and dip stores at southlands aurora colorado

For Denver Foodies you’ll find stores to purchase items to cook, bake, grill and create and a large variety of restaurants to indulge your culinary taste buds.

When you visit the Savory Spice Shop both your taste buds and your ole factory will be wide away when you walk in. The staff there is very helpful and if you let them know what you are looking for or the kinds of foods you like to make, they will direct you to fabulous taste sensations. At their partner store Drizzle ‘n’ Dip say hello to flavored vinegar and olive oil. Sample your favorite flavors or try some new ones at this store. You can combine oil and vinegar to create your dream salad dressing, meat marinade or bread dip, snag some recipe cards or ask for ideas.

The owners “suffered” in Jamaica for weeks working to perfect their Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and they promised this would bring me back to the islands so I had to have it. Chocolate Dark Balsamic Vinegar? Yes, please! Ideas offered from Denver Foodies and the owners were things like Mascarpone Stuffed Cherries, drizzled on strawberries, over ice cream or cheesecake, (particularly if you boiled it down a little into a syrup) drizzled over grilled Palisade peaches, on spinach strawberry salad or one friend says she thought she would just drink it straight! There are all sorts of gift ideas and packaging too.

For a quick bite check out Tokyo Joe’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, On The Border, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Phở 97 or McAlister’s Deli.

wine experience cafe southlands aurora co

Date Night or Happy Hour is the perfect time to try one of these eateries

We stopped by the Wine Experience Cafe and plan to return to enjoy one (or 2) of the dozens of flights of wine and flights of cheese. Perfect for ladies’ night!

Monsoon Indian Restaurant
Mt. Fuji Sushi & Hibachi
Old Chicago
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Pie Five Pizza CO
Platea Latin Eatery & Cantina
Red Lobster
Ted’s Montana Grill
Wine Experience Café
Bar Louie

There are two spots to grab some coffee, the new Legends coffee shop which is a fantastic local spot where they make their own syrups. Order the Lavender Lemonade for a new liquid obsession.

legends coffee shop Southlands aurora co

One of the few actual bookstores remaining, Southlands Barnes & Noble store is a fabulous place to not only grab that cup of Starbucks and sit down to rest during your shopping spree, but it also has the largest selection of Adult Coloring Books you’ll find in Colorado. If you are an artsy type you will also want to visit Color Me Mine, a create your own pottery shop, or The Paint Cellar where you create one-of-a-kind art.

For local Fashionistas, you have a huge variety of shops to explore for yourself or that special person on your list.

Southlands Women’s Clothing Shopping Spots

American Eagle Outfitters
Chico’s
Dressbarn
Eddie Bauer
Francesca’s Collections
H&M
Lane Bryant
Mainstream Boutique
My Best Friend’s Closet
New York & Company
Tillys
Victoria’s Secret
White House | Black Market

Clothes for Teens

American Eagle Outfitters
Francesca’s Collections
H&M
Hot Topic
Justice
Tillys
Zumiez

For the Guys

American Eagle Outfitters
Eddie Bauer
H&M
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Men’s Wearhouse
Tillys

For Kids Clothing

Gymboree
H&M
Honeybee Baby Boutique
Justice
My Kid’s Closet
The Children’s Place
Tillys

There are plenty of places for fast food and for kids to enjoy eating as well including:

Buffalo Wild Wings – Now Open
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Chili’s
Chipotle
Noodles & Co.
KFC/Long John Silver’sCold Stone Creamery
Del Taco
Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory
Qdoba
Village Inn
Subway
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Which Wich

If you are looking for something to do, Southlands can help you there too.

The AMC theater at Southlands was the first of its kind in the Southeast end of Denver to have luxurious reclining seats and a full menu plus bar. Simply reserve your seats in advance, no waiting in line no worrying about getting to sit with your group. The only downside is you might take a little nap during the movies because the chairs are so comfortable.

Every Saturday 8-1 you can enjoy the Southlands Farmer’s Market. It starts Mother’s Day weekend and ends at the end of September each year. The last market in 2017 is September 24th.

Shop more than 40 local vendors in Town Square for organic and pesticide-free produce, fresh dairy products, delicious baked goods, homemade salsa, and tortillas as well as gourmet pasta, fresh seafood, natural soaps, handmade goods and of course at this time of year Palisade peaches (Remember to get that Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar we talked about above)

Trick or Treat Trail on Southlands Main Street

This Halloween event includes Bouncy Castles, Carnival Games, Face Painting, & Balloon Animals and of course CANDY!

* FREE Trick-or-Treat sack when you donate non-perishable food items to benefit SHARE Project (while supplies last)

Christmas Shopping at Southlands

Christmas at Southlands Shopping Center Aurora Colorado

The Winter holidays at Southlands are magical, Saturday, November 19th bring the family and enjoy the Holiday Home Town Parade where the kiddos get to see Santa for the first time followed up by the magnificent tree lighting ceremony. It’s just not Christmas until you get to see the giant tree adorned with all blue lights.

One of the best parts about Southlands is the ease of getting in and out of the stores where you need to shop for holiday gifts, unlike the traditional mall experience where you have to park miles away and navigate the crowds at the mall. At Southlands you are surrounded by cheerful decor, lots of great stores both national and locally owned and there are lots of ways to get in and out of the parking lot.

The fun starts over again in the Spring with Easter Events for everyone!

Southlands Shopping Center is located at the Corner of Smoky Hill Road and Main St just East of 470.

Summer Concerts Series in Parker & Castle Rock Colorado

June 3, 2022 By Chrissy

Celebrate Summer with Free Concerts in the Park 2022

Discovery Park 2022 Summer Concerts

Have you been to Discovery Park yet? Ice Skating in the winter and free concerts this summer.

TICKETS: FREE

Warm, sunny days are ahead, and so is our FREE concert series at Discovery Park! Get your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and beach blankets, and get ready to enjoy the sounds of summer.

Before your visit, complete Town of Parker Park Rules and Regulations may be reviewed here.

June 16 – Richie Law

Join us on June 16 at Discovery Park for Colorado Country Music star Richie Law! A previous American Idol contestant who has since shared the stage with top country artists, Darius Rucker, Jewel, Sawyer Brown, Josh Turner and many more, Richie Law is a downhome country boy with a big voice and a big heart.

June 23 – Mannequin the Band

Get ready to get up on your feet and stay there all night long when Mannequin the Band takes the Discovery Park stage June 23 in our free summer concert series. Known for their vocal ability and showmanship, these world-class musicians fill the stage with exciting music, choreography and dancefloor-packing arrangements spanning decades to the current hits of today.

June 30 – Shameless

Introducing Colorado’s Country Music sensation! Parker Arts is excited to welcome Shameless, featuring Ken Earl, to the Discovery Park stage June 30 as part of our free summer concert series!

July 7 – Petty Nicks Experience

What if Stevie Nicks joined Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers? Find out July 7 at our free Discovery Parker Summer Concert Series. Combining the very best of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with the solo work of Stevie Nicks and some Fleetwood Mac, The Petty Nicks Experience is a real rock-and-roll high of amazing vocal performances, hit after hit!

July 14 – After Midnight

Time to swing! Conquering dizzying charts by the likes of Benny Goodman, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and more, the infectious music of After Midnight is guaranteed to get you dancing, swinging, and smiling! Join us for Colorado’s Premier Swing Band – the only sextet featured in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame – July 14 at Discovery Park.

July 21 – Trouble in the Heartland

Trouble in the Heartland has been bringing the ragged swagger of the Jersey Shore to the Front Range since 2012. Revisit the hits of Bruce’s 70’s and 80’s glory days with this Colorado-based Bruce Springsteen tribute band, July 21 at Discovery Park.

July 28 – Union Gray

Mixing flavors from the red dirt of Oklahoma down to the heart of Texas and back up to Nashville, Union Gray brings their fun, grass roots, rockin’ County style to the Discovery Park Amphitheater. Join us July 28 for this free summer concert.

See Park Rules and Regulations.

Join your neighbors in the summer sun as Parker Arts presents the Discovery Park Summer Concert Series. That’s right! FREE summer concerts have returned in the Discovery Park amphitheater! This state-of-the-art venue features an open-space design, monumental art pieces, an interactive water fountain for the kids, and more! Feel free to bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and beach blankets to enjoy the open green space and soak in the sounds of summer!

This space is open to patrons of all ages. Food trucks will be on-site during the concerts. Due to its open-space design, no alcoholic beverages are allowed. For more information on Discovery Park Summer Concert Series general rules and policies please click here

The concerts in O’Brien Park and the PACE Patio Concerts have been replaced by the Discovery Park events.

Summer Jam Concerts in Castle Rock Colorado

Savor the sounds of summer 2022

Celebrate a perfect summer night in Castle Rock with great music, warm temperatures and time under the stars. Nestled in the beautiful setting of Philip S. Miller Park, the Amphitheater has become one of Colorado’s most sought-after live-music venues. Don’t miss the Town’s Summer Concert Series at the Amphitheater.

The concert series brings amazing events to Castle Rock on select weekends June through September. Enjoy live music from nationally known bands, along with craft beer and cocktails under the stars. The intimate setting, family-friendly environment and amazing acoustics make for a great musical experience. These ticketed music events have become a signature part of summers in Castle Rock.