Had an awesome first experience at Great Divide in Lone Tree. Doubled up and hit the one in Castle Rock for the Broncos game on Sunday, and then the Lone Tree location for our DougCo Social Dinner Club last night. Of course, I got preoccupied and didn't take any videos or photos…next time, but I think it was our largest group yet with 70+ attendees and probably 50ish showing up to the party after dinner. If you haven't been to one of these yet, we're testing out Castle Pines and North Castle Rock in two weeks (10/14). More here (use code PINES for $5 off).
Past weekend was an absolute blur with all the fall fests going on, including the one we'll cover today. I know I wouldn't shut up about it, but the Highland Games were even better this year than they were last year…and it seems like people are taking notice and the crowd was significantly larger than I remember. Per usual, I spent more time camping out with the animals than the other humans…I met Thistle, whose owner/mom happens to be a part of the crew.
Pig Races, a Candy Cannon and Goats in Franktown
If you're looking for something fun to do with the family that'll keep your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews, or whatever kids are in your life entertained for a while, this is your spot. There's a basically endless number of things you can do at Lone Creek Farms. It's crazy. I went this past Sunday afternoon to experience it after watching from the sidelines last year.
They've got everything from an old Main Street with a saloon (beer, wine and cider), a candy store, a jail and an old piano, to a pumpkin patch, rat rollers, a candy cannon, giant slides, hay wagon rides, cow barrel trains and a mine cart ride at the Matchless Mine. And pig races. Not something I've ever seen before, but kind of hilarious to watch. The pigs take off and somebody runs behind them ringing a bell, while a guy explains the whole thing with some truly bad dad jokes about pigs. They ran a heat with the potbellies, one with the other pigs (I'm not entirely sure what kind they were), and then one with everybody together. When the little guys aren't racing, they're all just cuddled up on top of one another. Very cute. Beyond them you've got goats who are hilarious and climb over everything, ducks flapping around the pond, and there are horses, sheep, donkeys, cows, a turkey and a peacock.
Probably the most exciting thing of the day, though, is the Candy Cannon. They blast it off, candy showers down, and it's a mad rush by kids and, embarrassingly enough, parents getting very intense about it. It doesn't last long, but it's exciting.
No mutton bustin' since it doesn't start until Oct 17, and I didn't make it out for the new light show, so I'm not sure yet what that all entails. Here's the full visit with photos.
Good to know:
Open Thursday to Sunday through Nov 1, plus Wednesday, Oct 14 only for Douglas County Fall Break (10am to 5pm)
Thursdays 10am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday 10am to 9pm
$27.95 ages 4 and up, 3 and under free, $25.95 military and seniors, $23.95 Thursdays
Season pass is $55.95. Going more than twice before Nov 1? It makes sense.
Some attractions are add-ons on top of your ticket (bungee, apple cannon, paintball, escape rooms), and they're closed Thursdays
New this year: Harvest Glow Lights, a walking light show Friday to Sunday nights starting this Friday, Oct 2, included with admission
Mutton bustin' Saturdays and Sundays, Oct 17 through Nov 1, ages 4 to 7 and under 50 pounds
Pumpkins are extra, $6 to $16. Bring your own food if you want, and parking is free
3879 N State Highway 83, Franktown. No left turns into the farm, so come in from the southbound side of 83
Wednesday, October 14. North Castle Rock and Castle Pines.
Dinner Club is the one where you show up at 6:30pm and sit down with five neighbors you've never met. We do the matching and book the restaurant, and it gets revealed the morning of. You order off the menu and pay for your own food and drinks. After dinner, every table heads to the after-party, and this time we're trying out a new bar.
Grab a seat here and use code PINES for $5 off.
Help Wanted
Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.
If you're hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.
Saddle Up
Top Events This Week
Fri 10/2 - Restaurant Week kicks off in downtown Castle Rock, Downtown Castle Rock - through Sun 10/11 - Free
Fri 10/2 - Martin Gilmore at The Groove, The Groove at Lyric/Lone Tree - 5pm–8pm - Free
Fri 10/2 - Guerilla Fanfare in the Prost biergarten, Prost Brewing/Highlands Ranch - 6pm–8pm - Free
Sat 10/3 - Fall Fest at Alidade Brewing, Alidade Brewing/Castle Rock - 12pm–6pm - Free
Sat 10/3 - Ghostbusters in Concert, PACE Center/Parker - 7:30pm–9:45pm - $74–$79
Sun 10/4 - City of Lone Tree Fall Festival, Schweiger Ranch/Lone Tree - 11am–3pm - Free (wagon rides sold out, standby only)
Music & Concerts
The Stagecoach Saloon (Franktown) - Hot Boots Band at The Stagecoach Saloon - Fri 10/2, 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
Wide Awake Eatery (Castle Rock) - Dinner and Dueling Pianos - Fri 10/2, 6pm–9pm - $28.52
Pines Bar and Grill (Castle Pines) - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - Fri 10/2, 6pm–9pm - Free
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Parker - Live Music with Mark May at Lone Tree Brewing Parker - Fri 10/2, 6pm–9pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Glitter in the Air: P!NK Tribute at The Studio - Fri 10/2, 7:30pm–10:30pm - $20+
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Untethered at Takoda Tavern - Fri 10/2, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Kyle O'Brien, Live at the Altar - Fri 10/2, 8pm–10pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon (Sedalia) - BadCo at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 10/3, 7pm–10:30pm - Free
Prost Brewing Company (Highlands Ranch) - Live Music with Atomic Jones at Prost Highlands Ranch - Sat 10/3, 4pm–7pm - Free
Studio@Mainstreet (Parker) - Radio Revolution at The Studio - Sat 10/3, 7pm–10:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge (Castle Rock) - Saturday Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - Sat 10/3, 7pm - Free
PACE Center (Parker) - Skyline Chorus & Quartets International Send Off - Sun 10/4, 4pm–6pm - $15–$20
Tailgate Tavern & Grill (Parker) - Avery Kyle Entertainment at Tailgate Tavern - Wed 10/7, 7pm–11pm - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Max - Sat 10/3, 9pm–12am - Free
Takoda Tavern (Parker) - Six Foot Joe & the Red Hot Rhinos at Takoda Tavern - Sat 10/3, 7:30pm–11:30pm - Free
Food & Drink
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Thu 10/1, Fri 10/2 and Sat 10/3, 1pm–3pm - $74.95
Parker Garage - Silver Oak Wine Pairing Dinner at Parker Garage - Thu 10/1, 6:30pm–9pm - $125 per person (plus tax and gratuity)
Sterling Ranch CAB - Sterling Ranch Chili Cook-Off - Fri 10/2, 6:30pm–8pm - Free ($5 chili contest entry)
Arts & Culture
Castle Rock Museum - Ghostly Stories and Tragic Tales Walking Tour - Thu 10/1 and Wed 10/7, 7pm–8pm - Free
Castle Rock Museum - Cedar Hill Cemetery Walking Tour - Sat 10/3, 4pm–5pm - Free
Lone Tree Brewing Company - Parker - Crescent Moon Fall Wreath Workshop at Lone Tree Brewing Parker - Tue 10/6, 6:30pm–8:30pm - $49.87
Southridge Recreation Center (Highlands Ranch) - Mountainfilm on Tour - Wed 10/7, 6:30pm–8:30pm
The Schoolhouse (Parker) - Parker Arts Lecture: The Power of Growing Older - Wed 10/7, 12pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia) - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch - Wed 10/7, 8:30am–12:30pm - $39
Family
Gilly's Pumpkin Patch (Castle Rock) - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch 2026 - Fri & Sat only through 10/10, 10am–dark - $5 individual / $20 family
AdventHealth Castle Rock - Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies Gathering at AdventHealth Castle Rock - Fri 10/2, 10am–12pm - Free
The Schoolhouse (Parker) - Family Discovery Series: ZOOMobile - Sat 10/3, 10am–11am - $12
Backcountry Base Camp (Highlands Ranch) - Fall Family Fun Day at Backcountry Base Camp - Sat 10/3, 11am–3pm - $15 per vehicle
PACE Center (Parker) - The Snowy Day & Other Stories - Tue 10/6, 6:30pm–8pm - $29
Outdoors
Miller Park (Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Trail Festival and liveBIG Family Adventure Run - Sat 10/3, 6am–3:30pm - $33.42–$113.76 (online registration closed 9/28; race day +$15, except the Family Run)
HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area (Highlands Ranch) - Wildcat Mountain Trail Races - Sat 10/3, 8am–12pm - $10–$75
O'Brien Park (Parker) - Pages in the Park, Free Reading Party - Sat 10/3, 10:30am–12pm - Free
Tallman Meadow Park (Parker) - Step Up. Speak Out. 5K - Sun 10/4, 7:30am–12pm - Free–$35
Backcountry Wilderness Area - Grigs Road Pavilion (Highlands Ranch) - Elk Bugling Hike - Tue 10/6, 5pm–7:30pm - $12–$15
105 West Brewing Company (Castle Rock) - Trails N' Ales Mountain Bike Ride at 105 West - Wed 10/7, 6pm–7pm - Free
Markets
Parker Senior Center - Annual Craft Fair and Holiday Market at the Parker Senior Center - Fri 10/2 and Sat 10/3, 9am–3pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Farmers Market - Sat 10/3, 8am–12:30pm - Free
The Emporium (Castle Rock) - Little Legends Market at The Emporium - Sun 10/4, 10am–1pm - Free
Highlands Ranch Town Center - Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market - Sun 10/4, 10am–2pm - Free
Downtown Parker - Parker Farmers Market - Sun 10/4, 8am–1pm - Free
Looking Glass Community Park (Parker) - Looking Glass Community Market - Sun 10/4, 9am–1pm - Free
Festival Park (Castle Rock) - Festival Park Farmers Market - Sun 10/4, 9am–2pm - Free
Providence Park (Sterling Ranch) - Sterling Ranch Farmers Market - Wed 10/7, 3pm–7pm - Free
Abloom (Highlands Ranch) - Abloom Holiday Kickoff - Wed 10/7, 4pm–6pm - Free
Festivals & Fairs
Prospect Park (Sterling Ranch) - Sterling Ranch Fall Festival - Sat 10/3, 4pm–6pm - Free
Schweiger Ranch (Lone Tree) - City of Lone Tree's Oktoberfest at Schweiger Ranch - Sat 10/3, 2:30pm–6:30pm - Free
Community
Cantril School Building (Castle Rock) - 2026 State of the Town - Thu 10/1, 6pm–7pm - Free
Elevation Golf Club (Castle Rock) - Elevation Golf Club Anniversary Open House - Sat 10/3 and Sun 10/4, 12pm–2pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Castle Rock) - Runway for a Reason - Sun 10/4, 1pm–4pm - $49–$100
Sunday Salmon (Castle Rock) - Sunday Salmon Community Dinner - Sun 10/4, 5pm - Free
Monk & Mongoose - High Note (Lone Tree) - Coffee with a Cop at Monk & Mongoose - Wed 10/7, 10am–12pm - Free
Sinners & Saints (Castle Rock) - Make & Mingle at Sinners & Saints - Tue 10/6, 5pm–7pm - Free
The Par Club (Castle Rock) - Ladies Night Out at The Par Club - Wed 10/7, 5pm - Free
There's live music somewhere in the county most nights of the week. The standing list lives at dougcosocial.com/live-music.
Trivia, bingo and game nights, sorted by day: dougcosocial.com/trivia.
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events
Hometown Headlines
The county adopted a water plan through 2050
TLDR: On Monday, Sept. 28, county commissioners adopted the 2050 Douglas County Comprehensive Water Plan, a countywide framework for lining up growth, land use and long-term water reliability. It came out of the county's Water Commission, an 11-member advisory board set up in November 2023, working with local water providers. About 60 percent of the county's water supply comes from renewable sources right now, and providers are aiming for at least 70 to 85 percent. Commissioner Abe Laydon's take: "if we're not planning, we're failing."
The county's free rideshare is expanding to Sterling Ranch and Roxborough
TLDR: County commissioners voted 2-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 22 to expand Link On Demand into Sterling Ranch and Roxborough by the end of 2026, and 2-0 to have staff build Castle Pines Village, Franktown, Surrey Ridge and more of the Parker area into the proposed 2027 budget. It's an app-based rideshare that's free to ride, and it already covers Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Rock and parts of Parker, with more than 130,000 rides so far in 2026 and an 18-minute average wait. The county says the expansion doesn't raise its existing $6 million-a-year cost.
Highlands Ranch redrew its board districts
TLDR: The Highlands Ranch Metro District board approved an updated map of its seven director districts at Tuesday night's meeting, to account for population and development changes. It doesn't change how you vote (you still get a ballot for every seat), but it does change who can run, since a candidate has to live in or own property in the district tied to that seat. Current board members aren't affected.
Quinnie's Cookies is coming back as Joy Batch
TLDR: Owner Sarah Carlson rebranded Quinnie's Cookies as Joy Batch Cookies & Coffee, and it's opening a storefront at 9315 Dorchester St, Unit 109, in Highlands Ranch Town Center with cookies, coffee and gifts. Grand opening is Friday, Oct. 9, 9am to 6pm, and the Castle Pines Chamber is holding a ribbon cutting there Tuesday, Oct. 20, 4 to 5pm.
Thirsty Lion is coming to Park Meadows
TLDR: Thirsty Lion Gastropub lists a Lone Tree location at 8335 Park Meadows Center Dr. with a banner that reads "Opening Late 2026!" It'll be their second Colorado restaurant after Denver's Union Station: a scratch kitchen with craft cocktails and beer, weekend brunch, and happy hour 3 to 6pm every day. No date or hours yet.
7 Brew has an opening date in Castle Pines
TLDR: 7 Brew's own location page for 570 Castle Pines Parkway is still marked Coming Soon, and it now lists an opening date of Oct. 5.
Parker swapped its Halloween decorating contest for a map
TLDR: No judges, no categories, no winners this year. If you live in 80134 or 80138, you can pin your address and a photo of your decorations on the Town's Halloween Home Decoration Map through Oct. 31, so the rest of us know which streets to drive down. On Halloween, the Town will post a gallery of the participating homes on its Facebook page.
The county's Veterans Service Office moved down the street
TLDR: As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Douglas County Veterans Service Office is at 410 S. Wilcox St., Suite 101, in Castle Rock, just a few blocks from its old spot at 301 Wilcox St. Its Veterans Service Officers help veterans and their dependents understand and apply for the benefits they have earned and navigate federal, state and local programs.
Local partners and occasional affiliate links help support DougCo Drop and keep it free for readers. Send an email to [email protected] if you're interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
If someone forwarded this to you and you want local updates like this every week, subscribe here! Looking for even more Castle Rock-specific events and stories? Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Castle Rock Crew.
