Alright, I am running a little behind after my body decided to shut down from overdoing it. Lost Canyon Ranch is officially open and I spent the past two days walking all the open trails. I don’t know if I’ve ever done this much standing or walking in a week, much less this much hiking in two days. Anyways, it was well worth the pain and suffering, and I encourage you to go check it out for yourself. I’m working on the website article now, which will be live in the next day or two on dougcosocial.com, and I’ll feature it in the weeks to come. Today, I’ll make sure you’ve got the rodeo and other events on the radar.
The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo Is Almost Here
The county's biggest event is almost here. The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo runs Friday, July 24 through Sunday, August 2 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, and this year it is leaning harder into live music than it ever has.
A free warm-up this Saturday. Before the fair even opens, the Hometown Rodeo brings local amateur riders to the Fairgrounds outdoor arena on Saturday, July 18 at 3pm. It is free to watch, with Mutton Bustin', pole bending, barrel racing, roping, and a cowhide race, so get there early for a seat.
Two headliner nights. For the first time, there are two marquee concerts instead of one. Trace Adkins kicks off the fair on Friday, July 24 on his 30th Anniversary Tour, with Taylor Austin Dye opening. Reserved seats are already sold out, so if you want in, grab general admission before it goes too (tickets are $65 all-in). The next night, Saturday, July 25, AWOLNATION takes the stage with Friday Pilots Club opening, both playing the fair for the first time.
An award-winning rodeo. This is not a small-town rodeo. The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo has been named Large Rodeo of the Year two years running, beating out Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Greeley Stampede. It draws top ProRodeo talent competing for a $300,000+ purse, and the fair pulls close to 60,000 people a year. There are four ProRodeo performances, three 7pm nights and a Sunday matinee: Roughstock at the Rock kicks it off Thursday, July 30 (bareback, broncs, bulls, and new-for-2026 Women's Breakaway Roping), then Patriot Night on Friday the 31st and Ride for the Brand on Saturday the 1st, with the Cowboys for Cops matinee at 1pm on Sunday, August 2 to close. Two are free for the people who serve the community: Patriot Night is free for active and veteran military, and Cowboys for Cops is free for first responders, both through GovX.
One big Saturday in downtown Castle Rock. Saturday, July 25 is the day to be downtown. The Fair & Rodeo Parade rolls down Wilcox at 9:30am, cattle drive and all, and then Boots & Brews takes over Festival Park from 11am to 4pm with country music and local brews, free to walk in. The two are just a few blocks apart, so you can make a morning and an afternoon of it before that night's concert.
Two more worth knowing. On Wednesday, July 29 from 10am to 1pm, the Unbridled Rodeo is a free, accessible rodeo run with Developmental Pathways for people of all abilities, with roping, barrel racing, and a real mechanical bull. And Sunday, August 2 is Free Day: free grounds entry for everyone, a pancake breakfast, and a canned-food drive for the Help & Hope Center and Parker Task Force.
Good to know before you go. Grounds admission is just $6.27, and it gets you the fair, the exhibits, the 4-H shows and the petting zoo (kids 2 and under are free, parking is free too, and the fair is closed Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28). The concerts, the ProRodeos and the Sunday Farm-to-Table brunch are ticketed separately. Two quick things: carnival wristbands are $10 cheaper if you buy them online before July 23, and if you were hoping to put your own kid in the Mutton Bustin', that registration is already full (though you can still watch it at the rodeo).
We put together the full guide with the day-by-day schedule, ticket links and a few tips from going last year. See everything happening at the 2026 Fair & Rodeo →
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Saddle Up
Our Sunset Supper Club at KB Ranch is sold out. All three nights, even after we added capacity. The waitlist is deep and still growing, so we're working with KB on adding more dates. We'll let you know here the moment we do.
Join us for a sea turtle sip and paint. We're teaming up with Emma Paints Colorado at Wild Blue Yonder Brewing in downtown Castle Rock on Wednesday, July 29 at 6pm. Paint a beach scene on a 16" round canvas, add baby sea turtles with glass stones, shells, and real sand, then grab a craft beer while you do it. No experience needed and all supplies included. Learn more here.
Music & Concerts
Discovery Park - Discovery Park Summer Concert: Caltucky + 15 Years of the PACE Center Celebration - Thu 7/16, 5:00pm–8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Jim Hyatt Band at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 7/16, 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Parker Hotel - Live Music: James Hurtado at The Upper Deck - Thu 7/16, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Tunes for Trails: That Eighties Band - Thu 7/16, 6:30pm–9:00pm
Highland Heritage Regional Park - HRCA Summer Concert Series: Bullet the Blue Sky - Thu 7/16, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Eric Golden Band at Tailgate Tavern - Thu 7/16, 7:30pm–11:30pm
The Groove at Lyric - Friday Night Live: Megan Burtt at The Groove - Fri 7/17, 5:00pm–8:00pm
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel - Music on the Patio: Eric Lane at Lone Tree Golf Club - Fri 7/17, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Josh Blackburn: Live in Castle Rock at Honnibrook - Fri 7/17, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - Fri 7/17, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE at the Castle - Fri 7/17, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $86.80
The Parker Hotel - Live Music: Voices Kerry at The Upper Deck - Fri 7/17, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Untethered at Wide Open Saloon - Fri 7/17, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Overnight Ugly at Studio@Mainstreet - Fri 7/17, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Still the Same (Bob Seger Tribute) at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 7/17, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Shelvis at Takoda Tavern - Fri 7/17, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Ashton Lee Duo — Live at the Altar - Fri 7/17, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Red Rock Vixens at Tailgate Tavern - Fri 7/17, 8:30pm–12:30am
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Lookin Back Band - Sat 7/18 - $79
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Josh Blackburn at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 7/18, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Saturday Acoustic Show at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 7/18, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: Jackson Dean with Tigirlily Gold - Sat 7/18, 6:00pm–10:30pm - $35+
Max Taps Co. - Live Music: Kaycoats at Max Taps - Sat 7/18, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Vinyl Nation at Wide Open Saloon - Sat 7/18, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Sonic Highways (Foo Fighters Tribute) at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 7/18, 7:00pm–11:00pm
Takoda Tavern - Jim Hyatt Band at Takoda Tavern - Sat 7/18, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - TEN (Pearl Jam Tribute) at Tailgate Tavern - Sat 7/18, 9:00pm–11:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - JC Jonathan Cernan at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 7/19, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Sunday Band Practice at Wide Open Saloon - Sun 7/19, 2:00pm–5:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Tony Pitschka at 105 West Brewing - Sun 7/19, 2:30pm–5:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Brass Attack Band at Tailgate Tavern - Sun 7/19, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - The Magical History Tour: A Beatles Experience at the Castle - Sun 7/19, 5:30pm–10:00pm - $89.45
Savina's Mexican Kitchen - Savina's Summer Concert Series: Two-Step's Tequila - Wed 7/22, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Food & Drink
Downtown Castle Rock - Downtown Castle Rock Sip & Stroll - Thu 7/16, 5:00pm–8:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Fri 7/17 1:00pm, Sat 7/18 1:00pm - $74.95
Garner and Gather - Garner & Gather Summer Soirée - Sat 7/18, 6:30pm–8:30pm - $96.99
Bar Hummingbird - Castle Rock - Bubbles & Beats Sunday Brunch at Bar Hummingbird - Sun 7/19, 11:00am–3:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Beats, Brunch & Baby Goats at Alidade Brewing - Sun 7/19, 11:00am–2:00pm
Arts & Culture
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 90-Minute Tour of Cherokee Castle - Thu 7/16 10:00am, Fri 7/17 10:00am, Wed 7/22 10:00am - $21-$24
PACE Center - All Shook Up at the PACE Center - Thu 7/16 7:30pm, Fri 7/17 7:30pm, Sat 7/18 2:00pm, Sun 7/19 2:00pm - $40-$45
Douglas County Libraries - Highlands Ranch - DCL Presents: David Heska Wanbli Weiden — Wisdom Corner - Sat 7/18, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch - Wed 7/22, 8:30am–12:00pm - $39
PACE Center - Masterpieces in Magical Motion at the PACE Center - Wed 7/22, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $25
Nightlife & Entertainment
Olive Juice Beauty Bar - Learn to Play Mahjong with Trista Sutter (Beginners) - Thu 7/16 5:00pm, Mon 7/20 5:00pm - $50
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night at Pines Bar and Grill - Thu 7/16, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Comedy Show featuring Kevin Fitzgerald at Wide Awake Eatery - Thu 7/16, 7:00pm–9:00pm - $23.18-$28.52
Max Taps Co. - Open Mic Night at Max Taps - Fri 7/17, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Studio@Mainstreet - Corn Hole Tournament at Studio@Mainstreet - Sat 7/18, 4:00pm–11:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - '80s DJ Dance Party at 105 West Brewing - Sat 7/18, 6:30pm–9:30pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Sip & Spin Sundays at Wide Awake Eatery - Sun 7/19, 2:00pm–5:00pm
Purgatory Cellars Winery - Guided Play with Evergreen Mahjong Collective - Sun 7/19, 2:00pm–4:00pm - $20
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition at Alidade Brewing - Mon 7/20, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $50 per team
Family
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Hometown Rodeo at the Douglas County Fairgrounds - Sat 7/18, 3:00pm
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Outdoor Movie: Hoppers - Sat 7/18, 8:00pm–10:00pm - $30
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Princess Party at the Castle: Ariel & Rapunzel - Sun 7/19, 10:00am–12:00pm - $53.95
Fitness & Wellness
Civic Green Park - Free Yoga in the Park at Civic Green - Sat 7/18, 8:00am–9:00am
105 West Brewing Company - Yoga at 105 West Brewing - Sat 7/18, 9:30am–11:00am - $14-$18
Lone Tree Arts Center - Throwing As Performative Movement Workshop for Parkinson's at LTAC - Mon 7/20, 10:30am–11:30am
Festival Park - Monday Evening Yoga in the Park at Festival Park - Mon 7/20, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Markets & Shopping
Westridge Rec Center - Highlands Ranch Community Association - Friday Night Market at Westridge Rec Center - Fri 7/17, 5:00pm–8:00pm
Festivals & Fairs
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival — Love & Romance Weekend - Sat 7/18, 10:00am–6:30pm - $32+
Outdoor & Adventure
Rueter-Hess Reservoir - Lone Tree Resident Free Day at Rueter-Hess Reservoir - Sat 7/18, 8:00am–9:00pm
Schweiger Ranch - Schweiger Ranch Open Day Self-Guided Tour (July) - Sat 7/18, 12:00pm–4:00pm
Bluffs Regional Park Trail - Guided Nature Hike: Deer at Sunset at Bluffs Regional - Sat 7/18, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Community
Castle Rock Museum - Walking Tour of Downtown Castle Rock - Sat 7/18, 10:30am–11:30am
Pikes Peak Event Center - Bad Moms of Parker Night Out: After Prom - Sat 7/18, 7:00pm–10:00pm - $45+
Takoda Tavern - 10th Annual All Friends Car Show - Sun 7/19, 8:00am–2:00pm
Teaology Tea Cafe - Teaology One Year Anniversary Celebration - Sun 7/19, 8:00am–4:00pm
The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Big Dogs Huge Paws Annual Golf Outing - Tue 7/21, 7:30am–4:00pm - $260-$1000
Pikes Peak Event Center - A Night with the Coroner - Wed 7/22, 5:00pm–9:00pm - $20
On the Horizon
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 90-Minute Tour of Cherokee Castle - Thu 7/23 10:00am, Fri 7/24 10:00am, Sat 7/25 10:00am - $21-$24
PACE Center - Masterpieces in Magical Motion at the PACE Center - Thu 7/23, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $25
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Face Vocal Band - Fri 7/24 - $85.95
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - Fri 7/24 1:00pm, Sat 7/25 1:00pm - $74.95
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tunes on the Terrace: Peter Oyloe Nashville at Night at LTAC - Fri 7/24, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $40-$45
The Schoolhouse - Beetlejuice JR. Youth Musical at The Schoolhouse - Fri 7/24 7:30pm, Sat 7/25 2:00pm, Sun 7/26 2:00pm, Fri 7/31 7:30pm, Sat 8/1 2:00pm - $18
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike at Cherokee Ranch - Sat 7/25, 8:00am–11:00am - $39.50
Festival Park - Douglas County Fair Parade 2026 - Sat 7/25, 9:30am–12:00pm
Colorado Renaissance Festival Site - Colorado Renaissance Festival - Sat 7/25 10:00am, Sat 8/1 10:00am - $32+
Festival Park - Boots and Brews 2026 - Sat 7/25, 11:00am–4:00pm
Pikes Peak Event Center - Stand-Up Comedy Show & Terri Barton Gregg's 70th Birthday Bash - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm - $25-$70
Denver Polo Club - Denver Polo Club x Tiny Table Summer Dinner (July) - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm - $225
Backcountry Base Camp - Backcountry Bigfoot Bash - Sat 7/25, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $5 adults, $25 kids (0-2 free)
PACE Center - 38 Special Live at the PACE Center - Sat 7/25, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $100-$120
Elk Ridge Park - Castle Pines Summer Concert Series — Narrow Gauge - Sun 7/26, 6:00pm–8:30pm
Purgatory Cellars Winery - Mahjong 101 with Evergreen Mahjong Collective - Tue 7/28 5:00pm, Sun 8/9 2:00pm - $35
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Arts Afield 2026 at Cherokee Ranch - Wed 7/29, 8:30am–12:00pm - $39
Elk Ridge Park - Summer Splash Water Day — Castle Pines - Wed 7/29, 3:00pm–7:00pm
PACE Center - Lonestar Live in Concert at the PACE Center - Thu 7/30, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $84-$94
Downtown Parker (check in at Parker Chamber Office, 19751 E. Mainstreet) - Parker Wine Walk — July 2026 - Fri 7/31, 4:30pm–7:30pm - $25-$30
PACE Center - Spotlight Abilities: Life is Sweet! at the PACE Center - Fri 7/31, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Colorado Day Festival - Sat 8/1, 10:00am–2:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Barks & Brews at the Outlets at Castle Rock - Sat 8/1, 4:00pm–6:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: Fitz and The Tantrums with Sun Room (Colorado Day Show) - Sat 8/1, 6:00pm–10:30pm - $49-$85
O'Brien Park - Parker Honey Festival 2026 at O'Brien Park - Sun 8/2, 8:00am–1:00pm
Denver Polo Club - Disco Sunday Polo Tailgate at Denver Polo Club - Sun 8/2, 10:00am–3:00pm - $28.52+
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Hometown Headlines
Castle Rock just opened its largest-ever open space: Lost Canyon Ranch
TLDR: Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space opened to the public Monday, 681 acres on the southeast edge of Castle Rock, with 10 miles of trail open now (15 when it is finished), a wide canyon, hoodoos, and a trail connection into Castlewood Canyon. No dogs, and no water on site. I hiked all of it over two days; the Town's page has the trail map, hours, and directions.
Live music every Friday at The Groove in Lone Tree
TLDR: The Groove, the new café and full bar at Lyric in RidgeGate, has become a Friday-night destination. Its Friday Night Live series runs 5-8pm and has drawn crowds topping 100. July's lineup: Megan Burtt (7/17, this Friday), Martin Gilmore (7/24), and Emily Barnes (7/31).
The Collective opens at Parker Station
TLDR: A new business hub at Parker Station with private offices, meeting spaces, and virtual-office solutions, letting people set up a professional downtown Parker address while working from anywhere.
Castle Pines Parkway work expands; Buffalo Trail reopens this month
TLDR: City Council voted July 14 to expand the 2026 Castle Pines Parkway reconstruction, replacing the concrete between Forest Park Drive and the Buffalo Trail roundabout with asphalt after crews found it more damaged than expected. The project is still on track for early fall, and nearby the Buffalo Trail reconstruction is ahead of schedule and set to reopen by the end of July.
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