Things to Do in Colorado Springs This Weekend: August 3-5, 2012

As we head into the weekend, Garden of the Gods Club has a few ideas for how to spend those long-awaited days off.  Read on to get the scoop on events and activities that are scheduled for this weekend in the Colorado Springs area.

Sample hundreds of wines!

• 4th Annual Ruff! Life Benefit Wine Tasting — Friday, 6 pm to 9 pm, Norris Penrose Events Center.  National Mill Dog Rescue hopes to end the plight of mill dogs and the cruelty and suffering they endure. Events like Ruff! Life Benefit Wine Tasting provide the much-needed funds to support the organization’s mission.  Enjoy samples of hundreds of wines, a silent/live auction, a pooch parade, hors d’oeuvres, and ive music. Tickets $55 per person at the door.
• First Friday Art Walk– Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm, downtown Colorado Springs.  Jason Bennett will be playing his own brand of earthy acoustic music at Gallery 113 for their artwalk on Friday, August 3rd, from 5-8 pm. Jason has written, recorded, and produced 8 CDs of warm, acoustic music. His music has been featured on radio stations all around the world and has aired on national television. He is also the executive producer for the award-winning “Positively Pikes Peak – The Pikes Peak Region Sings Bob Dylan.” Jason will be playing solo with his acoustic guitar and harmonica.

Enjoy a cold one at Saturday’s Craft Lager & Small Batch Festival in Manitou Springs.

• Craft Lager and Small Batch Festival — Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm, Memorial Park in Manitou Springs.  If you enjoy “a cold one” once in a while, consider heading to Manitou this Saturday to check out this beer festival in the park.The Craft Lager & Small Batch Festival is an outdoor, one-day, multi-session event that continues to grow each year. You’ll enjoy great music, food, and beer. Over the years, 18,000 people from all over the United States and Canada have included the Festival in their summer plans.  This year, you’ll not only taste the finest lagers from all over the country, but you will also find micro-distillery sampling, gluten-free food and beer, and even a “free beer for a year” contest.  Tickets $30-40 ($15 for designated driver).
• Everybody Welcome Mountain Festival– Saturday, 12 pm to 8 pm, America the Beautiful Park.  Check out this free family event featuring diverse performers, artisans, craftsman, activities, experiences, food, and fun! This event will include special recognition of our Waldo Canyon heroes from both stages all day long and authentic Japanese cultural activities, interactive dance, and song, culminating in a FujiKaen Taiko Drumming performance.
  

  Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (photo from cspm.org)

• Colorado Day: Celebrate What Makes Colorado Great! — Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.  Visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for a celebration of the day Colorado became a state! This program is family-friendly, FREE, and open to the public. There will be live music, crafts, activities, a fun bus, and local food trucks outside. Inside, the staff will offer tours every half hour (highlighting BRAND-NEW exhibits) and invite guests to connect to the Museum through hands-on activities.  Please RSVP by calling 719-385-5990.
• Acacia Summer Park Series — Saturday, 6-8 pm, Acacia Park (downtown Colorado Springs).  Take advantage of a free outdoor concert by folk band The Haunted Windchimes.
• Taste of Old Colorado Food & Art Stroll — Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm, Old Colorado City.  Stroll Colorado Ave. and enjoy food and wine samples from 20 of the area’s restaurants.  Art produced by local military heroes will be available for purchase.  Tickets $20 per person.