10 Things To Do In & Around The Ranch

Good morning, Highlands Ranch.

Summer has officially hit its stride.

This week's Park Challenge took me to a quiet corner in the Ranch with a historic windmill, a peaceful pond, and the kind of walking trails that make you want to breathe in the moment. It might be one of the most enchanting ones we've featured yet.

In this week's Scoop:

• A few outings to check out
• A look ahead to fair season and lavender-filled events
• Live music around South Denver

Let's get into it.

—Grace

An Evening with Colorado Author Cynthia Swanson — Highlands Ranch Library
🗓️ Saturday, July 11 (6–7:30 p.m.)
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Meet Colorado bestselling author Cynthia Swanson as she discusses her new novel, This Isn't New, in conversation with fellow author Andrea Bobotis. A book signing follows the presentation. Registration is required.

Colorado Renaissance Festival (Wine & Revelry Weekend) — Larkspur
🗓️ Saturday & Sunday, July 11–12
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Celebrate Wine & Revelry Weekend with free wine tastings, grape stomp competitions, and all the food, entertainment, and medieval fun the Colorado Renaissance Festival is known for.

Pollywog Station Lavender Farm — Parker
🗓️ Saturday & Sunday, July 11–12
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Lavender is in bloom! Reserve a free Boarding Pass to explore the fields, scenic trails, historic homestead, and farm grounds.

Purely Pastel Exhibition Opening Reception — Littleton
🗓️ Saturday, July 11 (2–4 p.m.)
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Browse a new collection of colorful artwork from the Pastel Society of Colorado during this free opening reception at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts in Littleton.

Free Day — Denver Art Museum
🗓️ Tuesday, July 14 (10 a.m.–8 p.m.)
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Looking for a break from the summer heat? Spend the day exploring world-class art with free admission to the Denver Art Museum. Your ticket includes access to the entire campus, plus a Sustainability Fair from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Registration is recommended.

Summer Concert Series (90’s Til Dawn) — Thursday, July 9
Free Yoga in the Park — Saturday, July 11
Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series (Jurassic Park) — Saturday, July 11
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market — Sunday, July 12

🪻 Lavender Festival — Chatfield Farms
🗓️ Saturday & Sunday, July 18–19
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One of the prettiest weekends of the summer returns to Chatfield Farms. Wander blooming lavender fields, shop local artisans, enjoy live music, and explore the gardens in peak bloom. Timed-entry tickets are required, and popular time slots are already selling out.

🪻 American History Celebration — Pollywog Station Lavender Farm
🗓️ Saturday, July 18
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Step back in time with a free day of hands-on history at Pollywog Station Lavender Farm. Try butter churning, candle making, Morse code, square dancing, and other pioneer-era activities. Free registration is limited to 500 visitors, so it's worth reserving your spot now.

🤠 Douglas County Fair & Rodeo — Castle Rock
🗓️ July 24–August 2
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PRCA rodeos, concerts, carnival rides, livestock shows, fair food, and family-friendly fun return later this month. Tickets are on sale now.

🎡 Arapahoe County Fair — Aurora
🗓️ July 23–26
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Carnival rides, tractor pulls, concerts, 4-H exhibits, fair food, and nightly drone shows make this another summer tradition worth planning for. Tickets are on sale now.

Refer 3 nearby friends or family using your personal referral link (found below), and we’ll celebrate your birthday in that week’s Scoop newsletter.

Once you hit 3 referrals, we’ll send over a quick form to collect your birthday. (Don’t worry — no birth year required.)

📬 Before You Go

Summer events are the best but can change due to weather, fire restrictions, or other circumstances.

I always recommend giving the organizer's website or social media a quick check before heading out—especially for outdoor events.

I hope you have a wonderful week, and see you next Thursday.

—Grace

🔥 Restrictions: Stage 2
💧 Restrictions: Stage 1
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