Gaming towns heat up in July with fun events
By Rosemary Fetter
Summer means special fun for visitors to Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Check out the following events scheduled for late June and July.
BLACK HAWK
HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER AND STATEWIDE BAN
Independence Day Celebration and Colorado’s Largest Fireworks Display
July 4, celebrate Independence Day all weekend with live music from the Boom Town Band, gaming and other Fourth of July festivities in the city’s numerous casinos. A 30-40 minute fireworks display beginning at dusk will feature pyrotechnics from around the world, including aerial fireworks showcased at Disney World and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition. Revelers can even expect several newly designed fireworks to premiere in Black Hawk, including blooming flowers, silver crowns and special animated shells that “dance” across the sky. Check www.cityofblackhawk.com for updates.
Annual Peak to Peak Duck Race
July 28, Mardi Gras Casino Patio, Black Hawk. Casino sponsors each receive a “fleet” of five large ducks to decorate as they choose, the wilder the better. Everyone in the race votes for the Best Dressed Fleet trophy. The race includes trophies for the Sponsors Race and the Quack trophy. Peak to Peak Race benefits the Peak to Peak Rotary. See page 14 for entry form.
CENTRAL CITY
Lunch and a Song at the Historic Teller House
July 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, Lunch and a 30-minute performance by a Bonfils-Stanton Foundation artist to whet your opera appetite at the relaxed Teller House, 120 Eureka St. Tickets at www.centralcityopera.org.
Central City Opera 2012 Festival
July 7, Opening Night for La Boheme. Performances this summer include: Oklahoma (through Aug. 10), La Boheme (July 7 – Aug. 12), Turn of the Screw (July 14 – Aug. 4.) Tickets at www.centralcityopera.org, call 303-292-6500 or 303-292-6500. Free Pre-performance Preview: Join a member of the artistic staff for a free, short opera preview at 1:50 or 7:15 p.m. prior to each performance at the Williams Stables across Eureka Street from the Opera House).
CCO Central City Days
July 14, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Take your choice of all-day historic adventures, performances, parties and festival with an all-inclusive $25 pass, Central City Opera subscribers, $20.
• Short Works: Performances of Saints and Sinners I and II in Williams Stable Theater across from the Opera House Stables. Attend one or both 45-minute performances in Central’s most unusual theater
• Mountain biking through ghost towns & graveyards: Three scenic self-guided mountain bike loops including the Nevadaville Loop tour with historic break and refreshment spots. Free parking/continuous shuttle service provided with pass, courtesy of the City of Central)
• Guided historic walking tours: Religion and the Red Light District, The Characters of Central City, and Coeur D’Alene Mine tours depart hourly from the Teller House, courtesy of Gilpin County Historical Society. Special guest tour guide Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel will lead a Downhill from There walking tour of Central’s infamous watering holes, including the tale of the Face on the Barroom Floor, the Gold Coin and Dostal Alley. Tour departs from the McFarlane House at 2:15 p.m. (Space limited to the first 25 pass-holders to RSVP at 720-227-5363)
• Geocache history treks: Scavenge the streets and hillsides of Central City’s past for a chance to win fabulous end-of-day prizes
• Front Porch Storyteller’s Lemonade Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sit and rest a spell on the bucolic grounds of the historic McFarlane House as storytellers bring intriguing Coloradans back to life . Special guest storyteller Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel will spin some sweet yarns from 1:30 to 2:00 pm. Complimentary teas, lemonades and waters; BYO picnic/bag lunch)
• Twilight Party: 5 – 7 p.m. Al fresco celebration on the grounds of the historic McFarlane House featuring live music by The Mile Markers, plus beers of Oskar Blues Brewery, local food and wine (All-inclusive with pass purchase; 21 and older)
• Artist’s Pavilion in the Opera Gardens: Presented by the Gilpin County Arts Association
• Guided “drop in” tours of St. James Methodist Church: Oldest continuously-operating church in Colorado, 123 Eureka St. 303-582-5882.
• 50% off museum admissions: Includes Gilpin County Historical Museum and the Thomas House, courtesy of the Gilpin County Historical Society
• Discount Tickets on The Turn of the Screw: July 14, 8 p.m. performance. Advance purchase only, based on availability.
Jazz Brunch Historic Teller House
July 21, 11:45 a.m. Pop up for a finger-snappin’ great time, featuring fine food and hot jazz. Approximately 2 hours. Info at www.centralcityopera.org.
‘The Medium’
July 28 and Aug. 4, 6 p.m., Williams Stables. An hour-long dramatic opera by Gian Carlo Menotti about a fake psychic whose surprise encounter with the unknown leads to murder and mayhem.
CRIPPLE CREEK AND VICTOR
Donkey Derby Days
June 23 – 24, Bennett Avenue. Parade and donkey race inspired by the town’s resident donkey herd. Games, live entertainment, heritage competitions and other fun family activities. www.visitcripplecreek.com.
Cripple Creek Roughstock Rodeo and Demolition Derby
June 29 – July 1, Teller County Fair Grounds, 501 W. Golden Teller County Road 1, Cripple Creek. Eight events include bareback riding, bull riding and steer wrestling. Contests and giveaways. July 1 Demolition Derby with cars, trucks and minis. www.visitcripplecreek.com.
‘Once Upon a Time in the Old West Art Show
Through July 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Cripple Creek Cripple Creek Heritage Center 9283 South Highway 67. Featuring Western art, including Native American, Cowboy, and Wildlife pieces. Call 877-858-4653 or 719-689-3315.
Fourth of July Celebration
Massive fireworks display choreographed to music, against the beautiful backdrop of surrounding mountains. Firehouse BBQ, beer garden, live entertainment will start at noon in the City Parking Lot, and the fireworks show will start at dark. City parking lot, 300 block of Bennett Avenue, across from City Hall. Visit www.visitcripplecreek.com.
