Elitch Gardens’ half-price tickets
Summer’s not over and that means there’s still time for “cheap thrills” at one of Denver’s most popular attractions. Frugal families can scream and splash on a budget, thanks to the park’s Pepsi Summer Sale. Through Aug. 7 at midnight, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park is offering a thrilling discount – 50% off tickets. Regular gate admission is $69.99. The sale is only available online. However, the tickets are valid for any operating day through October of this season. The water park is open through Labor Day. elitchgardens.com
Ride RTD for free in August
RTD is making August “fare for all,” whether you’re a regular passenger, an occasional rider, or new to public transit. During the month of August, RTD is offering zero fares across its entire system for all passengers, as part of the Zero Fare of Better Air initiative to help reduce ozone levels. The freebie is the perfect opportunity to hop on a bus or light rail train and explore the city without having to worry about gas or parking. rtd-denver.com/zerofare
Colorado Lottery’s Winning Wednesdays
Mid-week isn’t so dreadful anymore, thanks to the Colorado Lottery. Place your bet on Wednesdays for an extra chance at winning big bucks. The Lottery is offering players a bonus ticket on the first Wednesday of the month. And every ticket is another chance to win cash for a dream vacation, a new car or just paying your bills. Mark your calendar for Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7. On those select Wednesdays, buy $12 or more of Colorado Lotto+ (with or without Plus) and receive a $2 Colorado Lotto+ ticket for free. The bonus offer is valid at participating lottery retailers, while supplies last. coloradolottery.com/en/events/428
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair
Olde Town Arvada transforms into a weekend shopping destination with the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair on Aug. 5 and 6. The two-day market allows attendees to peruse the works of more than 130 local, hand-selected artisans, crafters and DIY enthusiasts. Find trendsetting indie goods, original fashion, jewelry, ceramics, paper goods, home decor, art, photography, food and more. Admission is free. The fair will be held in the heart of Olde Town Arvada. Hours are Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking lots and street parking are both available. For a more leisurely weekend adventure, take public transport (free) with the G-line commuter rail or RTD. jackalopeartfair.com/denver
A&W is giving away root beer floats
Good deals always float to the top, especially on National Root Beer Float Day. A&W Restaurants started with a root beer stand in 1919. And, to this day, the chain’s signature beverage is still made fresh on-site with real cane sugar and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices and berries. To celebrate the sweet day, the restaurant is giving customers a free small root beer float – no purchase necessary. Sign-up for the A&W Mug Club online to get the required coupon. Then, stop by the restaurant anytime through Aug. 6 to enjoy the iconic treat with a spoon and straw. awrestaurants.com/national-root-beer-float-day-2022
Young Americans Bank’s 35th Birthday Bash
It’s important to show kids the benefits of budgeting and saving money. And the only bank in the world just for kids, Young Americans Bank, is celebrating 35 years of doing just that for so many families. The “youthful” financial institution is hosting its 35th Birthday Bash on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both of its Colorado branches – Belmar (401 S. Pierce St.) in Lakewood and Cherry Creek (3550 E. 1st Ave.) in Denver. The celebration will be packed with family-friendly activities including a cash cube/money booth and airbrush temporary tattoos at the bank’s Cherry Creek branch. At its Belmar branch, there will be a prize wheel, pop-its and snow cones. Both locations will also offer games, goodie bags, birthday cake, popcorn and other treats. yacenter.org/event/ya-bank-35th-birthday-bash
VegFest Colorado
If you love veggies and fruits, “veg out” at VegFest Colorado on Aug. 6 and 7 at Improper City (3201 Walnut St.) in Denver. The fruitful event includes speakers, demos, kids’ activities, food samples and more. In fact, there will be no animal products of any kind at the fest. Get tickets in advance online for savings — $11 per day or get a weekend pass for $18. Kids (12 and under) get in for free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to carpool, use public transit (free) or ride a bike to help lower the event’s carbon footprint. vegfestco.com
2022 Parade of Homes
Whether you’re in the market to buy or simply in need of design inspiration, the 2022 Parade of Homes is an enjoyable way to spend the day with friends and family. From Aug. 11 to 28, the self-guided tour features 49 newly-designed and custom homes from Firestone to Castle Rock, Arvada to Aurora and neighborhoods in between. Admission is free and open to the public. Discover unique homes and floor plans, the latest in interior design trends, advanced home technology, exterior finishes, outdoor living and landscaping. Best of all, how you experience the homes is all up to you – at your convenience from Thursday to Sunday between noon and 5 p.m. No reservations required for tours. If you’re a homebody, you can also take the tour virtually. Find a useful map and directions at paradeofhomesdenver.com.
Bubble Bash
Pop! Kids of all ages and adults will have bubbles of fun during Bubble Bash at The Orchard Town Center (14697 Delaware St.) in Westminster on Aug. 13. Admission is free. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., families will enjoy a variety of bubble stations where they’ll discover smoky bubbles, bubble art, giant bubbles and more. Participants can even step inside a gigantic bubble or jump into a giant foam pit for a special selfie. Plus, the fun continues with bubble-themed stage shows, games and contests, as well as roving “bubblers” for more interactive play. theorchardtowncenter.com/events
Natural Grocery’s 67th Anniversary Celebration
Natural Grocers has been bagging healthy groceries for shoppers since 1955. To mark the Colorado-born store’s 67th anniversary, the company is celebrating from Aug. 18 to 20 at all of its 41 Colorado locations. Members of the store’s {N}power loyalty club get a free limited-edition reusable bag with any purchase. Plus, members can unwrap a free Natural Grocers Brand organic chocolate bar. Kids can also pick up free collectible stickers. On Aug. 18, from 1 to 6 p.m., all customers will receive a free frozen dessert. And what’s a store anniversary celebration without a big sale? Bargain hunters will find sale prices on more than 500 popular products in a variety of categories – up to 60% off. naturalgrocers.com/anniversary
Lafayette Peach Festival
Summer is just peachy, especially at the 23rd annual Lafayette Peach Festival. The sweet event turns South Public Road, the town’s main street, into a peach-filled carnival on Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Find truckloads of more than 30,000 pounds of organic peaches from Palisade for sale at three locations — Public Road and Cleveland, Public Road and East Chester and Public Road and Kimbark. You’ll also find food vendors, crafters, antique dealers and artisans. Plus, kids can enjoy free face painting and balloon sculpting. Pie lovers will want to get their hands on more than 600 pans of fresh peach pies and peach cobbler. Act fast because the baked goods always sell out quickly. business.lafayettecolorado.com/events/details/lafayette-peach-festival-23rd-annual-2022-8977
Loveland Corn Roast Festival
There’s nothing corny about having a good time on a summer weekend. Loveland salutes one of the world’s favorite crops – corn! On Aug. 26 and 27, the town’s Old Fairgrounds Park (700 S. Railroad Ave.) is home to the 2022 Corn Roast Festival. The 126th annual event gets popping on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. Then, on Saturday, the fun continues with a Corn Roast Parade at 9:30 a.m. and festivities at the park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Live music, a corn shucking competition, beer garden, food vendors, kids’ activities and lots of roasted corn fill the two days. Plus, the Loveland Rotary Duck Race takes to the water at 4 p.m. on Saturday. loveland.org/events-2/festival-entertainment
Affordable Arts Festival
The annual Affordable Arts Festival is unlike any arts fest you have attended because all of the art is priced at $100 or less. The colorful event takes place outdoors on Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arapahoe Community College (5900 S. Santa Fe Drive). This is the Black Friday of art sales with more than 160 artists from around the country selling their works in a variety of mediums at bargain prices. Art lovers and enthusiasts will find paintings, mixed media, jewelry, glass, photography, sculptures and more – some of which were originally priced at thousands of dollars. Gates open at 9 a.m., but enthusiastic shoppers who line up early will enjoy a coffee cart, pastries and live music. Admission is $12 online or at the gate, with proceeds benefiting the Arapahoe Community College scholarship program. Children 12 and under are admitted at no cost. affordableartsfestival.com
More freebies, discounts and deals at MileHighOnTheCheap.com.
Every month, Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez at MileHighOnTheCheap.com compile “Cheap Checklist” to help smart shoppers find freebies, discounts and deals. Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 14 to 21 days in advance.
