Melting snow doesn’t water down outdoor activities
They’re popping up more and more every day: sunscreen, swimming, picnics, hotdogs, baseball and thongs (the kind you wear on your feet). That’s right, summer is right around the corner, and with school ending in just two weeks, it’s time to prepare your summer plans. Not spending the summer months in a tropical paradise? Great! Boulder summers offer fun events that can only be experienced during the months of May through August.
Boulder Outdoor Cinema
When: The official start of the Outdoor Cinema is Friday, June 8. It runs through Sept. 1. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the movie usually starts at 9 p.m. or whenever it gets dark enough.
Where: Located at 1750 13th St. in downtown Boulder. It is directly behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and right next door to the Dushanbe Teahouse.
Cost: $5
Parking: There is plenty of free parking on the corner of 14th Street and Canyon and at the RTD park and ride.
The Boulder Outdoor Cinema shows movies each weekend, both Friday and Saturday nights. Although the 2007 movie calendar is yet to be released, some of the films shown in 2006 included “The Princess Bride,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Ghostbusters,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Army of Darkness” and “Goodfellas.”
Dave Riepe, the owner and producer of the Outdoor Cinema, is welcoming back longtime favorites like “Office Space” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” as well as featuring new movies like “Pan’s Labyrinth.” There will be 24 movies shown this summer.
Unfortunately, this is the last year for the 12-year-old Outdoor Cinema.
“It’s been a labor of love for us,” Riepe said. “We’re kind of out of steam.”
Because this is the last summer Outdoor Cinema will be held, make sure to experience it while you can. And because the event is held in a parking lot, it is recommended that you bring a low-back chair or beanbag. Blankets are another option, but the ground is hard, so bring plenty of pillows to get cozy on.
As for Colorado’s wacky weather, there is a good chance that your beautiful day will quickly turn into rain. During the summer, it is not unusual for late afternoons to bring a light shower. However, unless there is lightning in the sky and no sign of the rain letting up, the show will go on.
Show up early to get a good spot. You can bring a picnic dinner and hang out with your friends while watching the live music before every movie. This is a great way to get all your friends together for a fun movie-watching experience. Another plus is that the movies usually end early enough to be able to walk over to Pearl Street and hit the bars afterward.
The Boulder Creek Festival
When: Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: The festival is held in downtown Boulder along the creek. It extends from 9th Street to 14th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue.
Cost: Free
Parking: Parking can be tricky, so try to use alternate modes of transportation. If you drive, you can find parking at 1500 Pearl St., 1400 Walnut St., 1100 Walnut St., or 11th Street and Spruce Street. Also, the Justice Center parking lot on the corner of 6th Street and Canyon Boulevard will be available between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The Boulder Creek Festival is celebrating its 20th birthday. Meg Denbow, director of development and marketing, said the Creek Fest, as it’s often called, was voted Boulder’s best festival by Westword and Boulder County’s favorite event by the Daily Camera.
Denbow said she’s expecting about 350,000 people at this year’s festival and 530 exhibitor booths. There are two food courts and beer gardens, as well as hundreds of vendors and artists to visit.
The three-day festival ends with the famous “Great Rubber Duck Race.” The race will start at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 28, at the 9th Street Bridge. Each duck in the race is marked with a number and is dropped into the Boulder Creek on race day. They race or float down the creek to the finish line, where a chute big enough for one duck to fit through at a time spits out the winner.
Thursday Night Cruiser Ride
When: Every Thursday night starting at 7:30 p.m. People usually meet 30 minutes beforehand.
Where: Meet at the west end of Scott Carpenter Park, located near the intersection of 30th Street and Arapahoe Avenue. The ride is different every week.
All bikes are welcome on the weekly bike ride, although cruiser bikes are encouraged. As is city law, each rider must have a front headlight and a back taillight for nighttime riding. Aptly named, the Cruiser Ride is slow, and you only need a one-speed bike. If you don’t have a cruiser, you can always dress up yourself and your bike for the weekly themes.
For this Thursday, May 3, the theme is “Tres de Mayo.” The riders usually yell “happy Thursday” but will be shouting “feliz jueves” this week. Make sure to check the Web site for updates on each week’s theme.
Boulder Farmers’ Market
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Located on 13th Street next to Central Park in downtown Boulder.
Parking: Parking is free in all city lots, parking garages and the RTD station, but meters are not free on Saturdays. Parking is available for free after 3 p.m. on Wednesdays in the City lots accessed from 14th Street.
The Boulder Farmers’ Market started in 1986, but is celebrating its 21st year at its 13th Street location. It has become a longtime Boulder tradition. You can buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, gourmet cheeses and wines, as well as fresh-baked breads and pastries.
Mark Menagh, executive director of the Boulder County Farmers’ Market, said customers keep coming back because of the fresh food. What makes the Boulder’s Farmers’ Market different from other farmers’ markets is that it is farmer-owned. Nothing can be sold that the farmer didn’t grow, meaning the actual farmer of the product runs his or her stand, Menagh said.
“The corn is so fresh, it doesn’t even need cooking,” Menagh said.
On Saturday, May 19, the Farmers’ Market will hold its second Fine Arts and Craft Fair of the season. A different group of artists will show art at the monthly event.
Check out the Web site for more information on parking and special events. The Web site also has a “Crop Calendar” that shows when specific crops are in season. According to the calendar, May is the month for asparagus, rhubarb and snap peas.
Tubing in the Boulder Creek
When: Whitewater Tube Co. offers tubing starting in June and ending on Labor Day. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Located at 204 Canyon Blvd. in Boulder at the Watershed School.
After spending a hot day basking in Colorado sunshine, why not cool off with some tubing in the Boulder Creek? When the water is flowing high, you can go on the ride of your life. Later in the summer, the water levels usually decline, and the trip is much more mellow. Here are some things to remember when tubing in the Boulder Creek:
- Always wear shoes. Preferably not flip-flops, so wear shoes that will stay attached to your feet.
- When the water gets lower, there are more rocks protruding. It’s recommended that you wear a helmet, but watch out for those rocks.
- Although it might be 100 degrees outside, the water in Boulder Creek is chilly. If you feel your body getting too cold, swim ashore and warm up for a bit.
- The Boulder Police Department occasionally closes the creek to tubers, so make sure you keep an eye out for these black-out times.
As for the pricing, a black tire tube costs $6 to rent and $11 to buy. The Pro Tube costs $8 to rent and $15 to buy. Life jacket, helmet and river shoe rentals are also available. Check out the Web site for more information.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Jenny Bergen at Jennifer.bergen@thecampuspress.com.
