World Cup Final Watch Parties, LSO Percussion Concert & Glow Swim
▾
The World Cup has a way of uniting us. During the Round of 16, I streamed the Spain v. Portugal game from Ozo, and when I stood up from my seat, I found myself in a vibrant conversation with the man sitting behind me, who thanked me for streaming the game. We talked favorite teams, then favorite players, then travel. Throughout the cup, our watch parties continued at home and in restaurants around town. Now the Final is just on the horizon, this Sunday.
Whether you're cheering for Spain or Argentina, if you're looking to brush shoulders and cheer alongside fellow soccer fans, check out the watch parties across town: Ironwood, Winner's Circle (axe throwing at halftime?!), Parkway Food Hall, Wibby, Left Hand, or Pumphouse. Land your spot well before kickoff. This Final will draw a big crowd!
A morning at the library gets a little louder this month. Visit the library patio on Friday morning for a percussion concert from the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, geared toward kids and the kids at heart. It's free, family-friendly, and no registration required.
longmontsymphony.orgNeon lights, music, games, and a pool full of glow sticks after dark. Buy your tickets early. Last year our kids were crushed to learn Glow Swim sold out before we got ours, while our friends who made it called it the highlight of their summer. Worth the hype. Advance tickets are $10, $15 at the door.
longmontcolorado.govIt's a bit of a drive, but worth it. Planet Bluegrass's 36th annual songwriter festival returns to the St. Vrain River in Lyons with camping, riverside stages, and a lineup including Ani DiFranco and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Tickets are on sale now, and this one sells out every summer!
bluegrass.com/folksNow in its 40th year, this 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run kicks off the weekend before school starts, raising money for St. Vrain educator grants along the way. I used to teach, so I know exactly what those grants can do. One sent 60 of my high school students to the CU planetarium and observatory for a full day with astronomy and physics undergraduates, the kind of opportunity that couldn't have happened without a grant. Registration is open now, register by August 7th to guarantee your t-shirt.
stvrainfoundation.org
Independence Weekend, Nepali Jatra & Out of the Box Summer Fest
▾
The Fourth of July celebrations in Longmont are rich community events and this year the city is going all out! Longmont turns 155, Colorado turns 150, and the U.S. turns 250. Added bonus: the traditional symphony concert is coming back to shady Thompson Park.
Start the weekend on July 3rd at the First Friday Makers Market at 4th and Coffman from 4:30pm, with art vendors, face painting, food trucks, local brews, and more. Then head to Roosevelt Park at 6pm for live music and local food. On the 4th, the Longmont Symphony and Longmont Chorale perform at Thompson Park from 11:30am to 3pm with the traditional picnic contest and firing of the cannons. Then head downtown to 2nd and Emery at 5pm for live music, games, and local vendors. The night closes with an SVVSD student-powered drone show at 9:15pm and fireworks at 9:30pm.
First Friday Makers Market Independence Weekend Longmont SymphonyNow in its fifth year, this free downtown celebration brings together the rich traditions of Nepal alongside Longmont's broader multicultural community. Expect authentic Nepali food, live folk music, traditional dance performances, and cultural booths from community organizations. 4th Avenue and Kimbark, 5-8pm.
america250.orgFirehouse Art Center brings live music, local art, cider, and spirits to 4th Avenue from 3 to 9pm. The Colorado Djembe Orchestra kicks things off, followed by Tim and Jenny Ostdiek, then Rob Shea to close the night. The returning U-Haul Mobile Art Galleries are back this year, where moving trucks become immersive solo artist experiences parked right on the street. St. Vrain Cidery and Abbott and Wallace pour all evening.
firehouseart.orgThe oldest fair in Colorado returns to Longmont with five days of livestock shows, free live music, food vendors, and the kind of summer energy that's hard to find anywhere else. Gate admission and parking are free but the grandstand events like the demolition derby, CPRA Rodeo, and tractor pull require tickets and they sell out. Stay tuned to bouldercountyfair.org to buy your tickets when they go on sale.
bouldercountyfair.org/ticketsLast year we walked up to the entrance to Oktoberfest at Thompson Park, new rescue greyhound in tow, to learn that the event had been sold out for weeks. So I'm posting this one early so that you don't miss the early bird ticket sales. The Humane Society's dog-friendly fall celebration at Thompson Park will include craft brews, artisan eats, and music from Keller Williams' Grateful Grass. Every ticket supports the Longmont Humane Society. Early-bird tickets are $28 through July 19 and this event sells out every year, so don't wait.
ticketsignup.io/LongmontOktoberfest