RTD anniversary party

All aboard! RTD sent its first light rail train down the tracks 30 years ago from Interstate 25 at Broadway to 30th and Downing. As a thank you to the community, the agency is hosting an anniversary party on Oct. 5 at 1514 California St. (in the parking lot adjacent to 16th and California Station). From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the RTD team for a day full of family fun. Attendees can play games, dance and check out light rail maintenance equipment up-close. Food and drink will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Of course, take the bus or light rail for convenience and to avoid finding (and paying) for parking. rtd-denver.com/community/events/30th-anniversary-of-light-rail-party

Littleton Craft Fair

Prepare your walking shoes. It’s time for the annual Littleton Craft Fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum. Some 250 craft booths and 18,000 shoppers are expected on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ketring Park (6000 Gallup St.). All items sold must be hand-crafted by the artist. Be prepared, as parking can be a challenge, and don’t even think about parking in the Bemis Library lots. littletoncraftfair.org

Thornton Harvest Fest

On Oct. 5, families can enjoy live entertainment, games, a craft bazaar and activities at the Thornton Harvest Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Festivities take place at Community Park (York Street and Thornton Parkway). For those early risers, there’s a Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and Fishing Derby at 8 a.m., each with a nominal fee. During the day, there’s First Responder Row, Harvest Fest Marketplace, activities for kids, a Skate Park competition, live-action Mexican wrestling, food court and a beer garden. Kids only can claim a free pumpkin and spend some time decorating the gourd with onsite supplies including stickers, paint and stencils. thorntonco.gov/community-culture/festivals-events/thornton-harvest-fest

Pumpkin Fest at Fairmount Park

Prospect Recreation & Park District is holding its annual Pumpkin Fest at Fairmount Park (5222 Quaker St.) in Golden. The family-friendly celebration takes place on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with pumpkins, live music, hay rides, games, a pancake breakfast and more — all at no cost. The festival is held rain or shine. prospectdistrict.org/events/pumpkin-fest

Northfield Candy Crawl

While it may not be Halloween quite yet, families deserve an early treat on a fall afternoon. Northfield Stapleton is hosting a Candy Crawl on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street. Admission is free. Enjoy trick-or-treating at many retailers; just look for the orange balloons that identify participation. All witches, wizards, ghosts and superheroes are welcome. Arrive early before the candy runs out, and dress up in your best costume for chance to win prizes in the costume contest. There also will be music, face painting, crafts, balloon twisters, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science’s Curiosity Cruiser, hayrides and more. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. shopsatnorthfield.com/event/Candy-Crawl/2145584723

Open Studios Boulder

Open Studios, the Boulder area’s annual fall artist tour, spans three weekends this autumn — Oct. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 — from noon to 5 p.m. each day. Participation is free. Now in its 30th year, the event features 85 studios, homes, garages and wherever else the 125 artists create their works. The working spaces in all media are not only in Boulder, but also in Erie, Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Longmont and unincorporated Boulder County. Find more information, including an Artist Catalog, maps and self-guided tour instructions, at openstudios.org/about-5.

Chocotoberfest

October is all about candy, but chocolate takes the spotlight at one sweet event. If you love chocolate, you will definitely want to take bite of Choctoberfest on Oct. 12 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (25690 E. Quincy Ave.) in Aurora. The chocolate flows rom 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Within the 25,000-square-foot facility, find more than 70 vendors from across the U.S. offering chocolate candy, cakes, cookies, truffles, brownies, drinks and more. Attendees will also enjoy contests, entertainment and kids’ activities. General admission is $10 per person for Session One entry at 11 a.m. or Session Two entry at 1 p.m. (Note: You can stay as long as you like.) If you’re on a budget, gain entry at 3 p.m. for just $6. Kids 10 and younger get in for free. To sample the chocolate treats, you need to buy Taste Tickets which are 12 for $10. cochocolatefests.com

Touch-A-Truck Day in Aurora

What is it about trucks that fascinate little kids (and big kids, too)? Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, check out Touch-A-Truck Day on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spring Creek Park (4001 S. Himalaya St.) in Aurora. Organizers promise a variety of trucks — little ones, big rigs and everything in between. They include a fire truck, helicopter, armored car, police car, cherry picker, street sweeper, ambulance, concrete pumper and more. tprd.org/special-events/fall/touch-a-truck/

Fortimissimo: Fall Festival

Join in an afternoon of music, creativity and community at the Denver Young Artists Orchestra’s Fortimissimo: Fall Festival on Oct. 13. The festival runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Stanley Marketplace’s West Patio (2501 Dallas St.) in Aurora. Dive into the festive spirit with a pumpkin painting contest, carnival games, food and prizes. Admission is free. The highlight of the afternoon are performances featuring the talented young musicians of DYAO, showcasing their dedication and skill. The event is also an opportunity to support scholarships for young musicians in the Mile High City. dyao.org

Halloween happenings

Mile High Cheapskates love this time of the year. The ghouls, ghosts, zombies and witches are flying about the beautiful Colorado skies. Communities across the metro area offer an abundance of Halloween activities for kids and adults. You don’t have to wait until Oct. 31 for all the free and low-cost fun, with dozens of happenings filling the days and nights before All Hallow’s Eve. You’ll find a long list of what’s on the schedule for 2024 here: milehighonthecheap.com/halloween-denver-festivals-parties/

Castle Rock’s Spooktacular 2024

Families can scare up lots of fun in Castle Rock this Halloween season. The town is celebrating all things not-so-spooky at its annual Spooktacular 2024 on Oct. 26 at Philip S. Miller Park (1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway). The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, but not required. Activities include games, prizes, food, and of course, lots of candy. Be sure to bring a trick-or-treat bag. The event is held outdoors, so check the weather report and dress accordingly. crgov.com/2453/Spooktacular

Miller Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival

It doesn’t get more fresh than picking your own produce on a real working farm. And Miller Farms (13912 CR 19) in Platteville is making the experience a reality with its Fall Harvest Festival. Through mid-November, take a hayride through 180 acres of fields where you can pick your own vegetables — including potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, Indian corn, squash, peppers and pumpkins. In addition, there are lots of other fall activities for families to enjoy, including a corn maze, peddle tractors, hay pyramid, farm animals and more. There are snacks, drinks and other treats for sale on the weekends. Admission for visitors (11+) is $28 per person with children (ages 5-10) are $18. Children 4 and younger are free. However, if you just want to visit the farm without picking produce or the hayride, admission is free. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. millerfarms.net/fall-harvest-festival

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