Spring into Action in Arvada

With spring upon us it is now the perfect time to come out of that winter hibernation to enjoy some physical activities during one of the loveliest times of the year. Whether you are looking for a more laid back outdoor activity or you want to get some serious exercise in, Arvada has a number of excellent activities coming up in the next few weeks. Here are just three options you should consider for the month of April:

 

Source : http://bikefriendlyarvada.org/

Community Bike Ride: Starting on April 11^th through October, the Arvada Bike Advisory Committee will lead a free Family Ride and a Rec Ride each weekend expect for Memorial Day, the 4^th of July and Labor Day weekends. The Family Ride ranges from 5-8 miles, while the Rec Ride ranges from 10-12 miles. All of the rides start and end at one of ten or so elementary schools across the city and will be led by experienced ride leaders. All riders are required to sign a waiver, follow bike/traffic laws and wear a helmet. Participants are also advised to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, weather appropriated clothing and water.

Arvada Kite Festival 

If you don’t own a bike or you are simply looking for a more laid back outdoor activity you should consider the Arvada Kite Festival on April 12^th at the Stenger Soccer Complex on 58^th Ave and Quail Street. The festival lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the Arvada Festivals Commission. This all ages event is the perfect outing for kite enthusiasts or families looking to relax for a few hours in the wind and sun. The festival will also include live music and some excellent food vendors. The actual kite competition is broken into two age groups of 10 and younger and 11 and up with the four categories of highest kite, smallest kite, largest kite and most visually appealing kite. The competition is free and the top four in each category are awarded with a trophy.

Arvada Tennis Center Open House: On April 18^th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and April 19^th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Arvada Tennis Center at 6430 Miller Street will host an open house. At the open house you can meet the Arvada Tennis Center staff, participate in a number of exciting activities, register for programs and develop your love of tennis. The open house will feature demo racquets courtesy of Rocky Mountain Racquet Specialists, music by the Pomona High School band and members of the Arvada Fire Department, a radar gun and ball machine, a bounce house, free BBQ and cake, as well as a presentation at 1 p.m. on April 18^th by the Apex Park and Recreation District.

Fall Festivities in Arvada, CO

Come October, Arvada is bustling with activities and celebrations. From Fall to Halloween, Arvada has an event for every autumn occasion. No matter if you have kids or pets, or if you’re a young couple looking for a fun date, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Arvada’s Festival of Scarecrows

A decorative scarecrow from the festival. Source: The Arvada Examiner

                Equal parts a celebration of fall and Halloween, Arvada’s Festival of Scarecrows usually occurs around the middle of October. The festivals sprawls across Olde Town Arvada, but a majority of events happen at Olde Town Square. The festival takes its name from the scarecrow contest. For this contest, groups and individuals create and decorate their own scarecrows, and judges pick the best ones. The top scarecrows receive cash prizes or gift cards.

                There are plenty of other contests for your consideration as well. For the decorated pumpkin contest, residents deck out their pumpkins with everything from streamer hair and makeup to hats and boots. Judges award prizes based on originality and creativity. Foodies and kitchen masters can take part in the pumpkin dish contest. Contestants can enter up to three items where pumpkin is a main ingredient. Judges will award prizes for the top three dishes in each of the five categories. Other competitions include a pumpkin pie eating contests and a pumpkin seed spitting contest.

                For the less competitive, there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy at the Festival of Scarecrows. Parents can proudly watch their children march in a kid’s costume parade. There’s also a maze for kids where the course boundaries are made using non-perishable food donations. Add in games, karaoke, hayrides and music, and you’ve got an event that’s a ton of fun for the whole family!

Arvada Harvest Festival

A banner at the beginning of the festival’s parade. Source: City of Arvada website

                At the beginning of September, Arvada commemorates the paving of the first road from Denver to Arvada with the Arvada Harvest Festival. Because of its historic origins-the first celebration dates back to 1925-this festival is the oldest and largest celebration in Arvada.

The main attraction is the Harvest Festival Parade. The parade is composed of several marching bands, plus floats from various school organizations, service clubs, and local businesses. Another unique event is the Teddy Bear Picnic. Perfect for kids and their favorite stuffed friend, the picnic allows children to bring their favorite stuffed animal to dine on a picnic lunch.

The list of other activities for the Harvest Festival is massive: music performances, a carnival complete with games, vendor booths, movies in the park, a garden harvest contest, a beer garden, ice cream social, and bingo, among others.                                

Other Halloween Festivities

                Some other smaller Halloween events can be found below:

               

-“Trick or Treat” Stage Performance is a horror story themed play that runs Fridays and Saturdays in October. It’s great for those who enjoy scary movies.

-The Apex Halloween Carnival is a great family-friendly festival. It has everything from games and bounce houses to hay rides and ghost stories.

-Trick or Treat Street happens in Olde Town Arvada. Here, businesses create a trick or treat environment for kids.

-Pet Howl-oween is a costume contest for dogs. Prizes are available for the most creative and frightening outfits, and all proceeds from the event go to charity. It’s a perfect night to bond with your favorite pooch!

                Additionally, you can find plenty of local haunted houses and other parties, or enjoy the crisp fall weather with other outdoor activities around Candelas.

What are your favorite fall activites?

                 

Beyond Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge: The Outdoors Surrounding Candelas

The most notable fixture of the Candelas scenery is the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge. Over 300 species of animals called this six-thousand-acre sanctuary home. Currently several miles of trails are being created to connect to existing hiking and biking paths. Soon enough residents will be able to enjoy a run or a bike ride in the fresh air while watching all sorts of fascinating creatures frolic through the grass and trees. Thankfully, there are plenty of other open parks in or near by Candelas for its homeowners to explore before Rocky Flats opens.

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge         Photo: US Department of Energy

Coal Creek Canyon Park houses plenty of wildlife habitats for elk, bobcats and plenty of other animals. Residents can even feed bears in designated areas around the park. Campers will gravitate towards White Ranch Park. Along with camp grounds, the park offers 20 miles of hiking trails, lots of open fields and rolling foothills. Finally, for those who feel most at home on the water, there’s Standley Lake Regional Park. Here, one can enjoy boat rides and fishing on the lake, camp out on the shores, or take in some wildlife watching with the park’s various critters.

Standley Lake         Photo: colorado-hiking.net

For the most dedicated outdoorsmen, Candelas can be your gateway to a whole other span of awe-inspiring natural space. Plans are in place for a trail to run from Candelas into the Rocky Mountain National Park. Residents will enjoy access to some of the most majestic mountain scenery in the entire nation. In nearby Arvada, animal lovers of all ages can take in the trails and wetlands of the Majestic View Nature Center and Community Park.

Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park         Photo: Wikipedia

Finally, we would be remiss to not mention the activities available at Denver, the heart of a sprawling metropolitan area of which Candelas is a part. Fishermen can enjoy excellent fly fishing not far from the city’s center. Chatfied State Recreation Area has attractions for the whole family, from horseback rides and biking to swimming and sailing and everything in between. For those who just want to take a peaceful stroll through nature, look no further than the Castlewood Canyon State Park.

Castlewood Canyon State Park                      Photo: Examiner.com

Even beyond the Rocky Flats Wildlife Reserve, residents of Candelas enjoy some of the richest natural amenities in the country. What are your favorite things to do outside?

You can learn more about the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge wildlife and vegitation on the Candelas Rocky Flats Tumblr.