The two-day festival features national headliner R&B singer/songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds headlining the show on Saturday. Other artist that day include Linda Theus-Lee, Tony Exum, Jr., Gail Jhonson, saxophonist Pamela Williams, and Nick Collione.

Headlining the show on Sunday is the R&B/Jazz group Pieces Of A Dream on Sunday. Other artists on Sunday include Paul Taylor, Joey Sommerville, Brooke ‘Viosocialist’ Alford, and Marcus Anderson.

There will also be a pre-party on Friday at DuRozz in Aurora and an After-party on Saturday at Chez Cirque in Denver. Both parties are from 9pm to 2am.

Tickets are $60-$120 and can be purchase online at http://smoothjazzlovers.tix.com.

Your Turn: Are you looking forward to any upcoming festivals around town? Leave a comment below and share the event with your neighbors…

Clement Park Amphitheater
7306 W. Bowles Ave.
Littleton, CO 80123

On the Fourth of July head out to Town Cener North Plaza for fun events like the parade, music, food, beer, a pet adoption fair, fireworks, and a 5K run/walk.

 For a little family-fun go to the plaza and enjoy Balloon Twisters, Face Painters, Vern’s Mini Train, Hayrack Rides, Games & Inflatables, and Live Music!

The Fireworks display happens at 9:15 p.m. directly across from Town Center, at the intersection of Highlands Ranch Parkway & Blake Dr. Highlands Ranch Town Center, and Civic Green Park are great locations to watch the show. The parade will be held on Monday at 9 a.m.

Check out the events going on at the Plaza…

Stage Entertainment:

9:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. – 4th of July 5K Awards

9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. – Swing Dancing and Swing Music

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Parkside Band

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Top Hogs- Amazing Performing Pigs

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest Registration

2:30 p.m. -3:15 p.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Deja Blu

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Cruisin’ Cats (Civic Green Park)

Fourth of July Fireworks

Sunday, July 3 9:00p at CreekSide park in Glendale, Denver, CO

Fireworks Show. The fireworks are fired from Creekside Park, but are visible at various viewing locations throughout the City. The best viewing is at Cherry and Exposition. Event Website

Cheesman Park Fourth of July Kids’ Parade

Monday, July 4 9am – 11am at Cheesman Park, Denver, CO

Price: free

Bike decorating materials provided beginning at 9 am; parade starts at 10 and activities continue until 11 including face painting, a balloon artist and a caricaturist. Come out and check out a bagpiper, the Denver Police Mounted Patrol, a Denver Fire truck, the Mile High Freedom Marching Band, and Uncle Sam.

Putting the Free in Freedom: Free Cab Rides on the Fourth of July!

Friday, July 1 12:00a at Sawaya Law Firm, Denver, CO

From July 1-4,call a cab, get a ride from one location to your home, pay the cab driver and send the bill to The Sawaya Law Firm for reimbursement.

There are some restrictions:
-Must be 21 years of age or older to participate
-Good for a one way ride to your home
-Metro area ride with a maximum value of $35.00
-Must send receipt and copy of valid ID to:
Holiday Free Cab Ride Program
The Sawaya Law Firm-1600 Ogden Street,Denver, CO 80218

During the Urban Dare, teams of 2 solve a set of 12 clues to find checkpoints where they must take photos or perform dares in a race to the finish. You may call smart friends or use your smart phones for help solving clues. It is up to you to figure out the best order to complete your checkpoints. You may walk, run or use public transportation to get to checkpoints.

Check it out…

To start the race you will be asked multiple choice trivia questions and l move into A, B, C or D areas according to your answer. After a few correct answers you are on your way. Then you get your clue sheets and start doing your dares. Dares range from throwing a bulls-eye, doing a climbing wall, completing a puzzle or eating something (things people like, not bugs). If you win Urban Dare you get a chance to advance to Super Dare to compete for $5,000.

You should bring a cell phone and a digital camera to show your pictures at the end of the race. A cell phone camera will work. Maps are also handy and you should have someone to call to help look up clues. I also recommend a pen or pencil to take notes.

Registration for the event is $90 per team of two.

Check out these Green tips for your kichen…

Go Green Literally

For better air quality, place at least two houseplants in the kitchen. Tropical plants like palms and ferns work best because they absorb gases, they look great, and just right for summer!  

Clean Smarter

Why buy organic food only to plop it on a counter cleaned with chemicals? Lemons cut through grime on countertops and cutting boards, and they even spruce up copper pots.

Smart Energy
Select Energy Star-certified models to save money and energy. Save energy by selecting compact florescent light bulbs (CFLS) and plugging your appliances into a power strip that you can turn off when you’re not using them.

One place near Highlands Ranch that is participating in National Get Outdoors Day is Denver’s City Park. Activities at the park will include; Climbing walls, kayaks, dragon boats, fishing, junior ranger camps, clinics, farmers market, bike safety, performances by numerous organizations, lots of SWAG, and much more

Other places to check out in Colorado are Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins and Friends of Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison. At Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, visitors can enjoy Geology exhibits, hands-on fossil activities, hiking, gold panning and fossil sieving.

Entertainment will include Mr. Bones, dinosaur storytime, and dinosaur puppet shows. Hands-on activities will also include a dinosaur dig, metal detecting, a scavenger hunt, and dinosaur track painting with a free track to take home.

Take an amazing five-day whitewater adventure on the Yampa River with historian Andrew Gulliford. The Yampa cuts through three breathtaking canyons & can only be rafted a few months of the year. Experience the action, excitement, geology, & history of the Yampa. The trip is from Deerlodge Park on the Yampa River in northwest Colorado & will end in northeast Utah after its confluence with the Green River.

To find out more information about the trip head out to Adrift Adventures, or call Adrift to reserve your spot today at 1-800-824-0150. The cost is $775 for general public and $250 for children between six and 12 years old. Adrift Adventures will donate a portion of the proceeds from the trip to History Colorado’s educational programs for children and adults.

Your Turn: What fun things like this adventure do you participate in here in Highlands Ranch or just around Denver?

If you want some others things to do this weekend, remember you can check out the “Red, White and Brass: American Salute” at Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, May 28 – 29.

Fireworks are also a great option for the weekend. You can head out to Elitch Gardens on May 29 for a fun fireworks show!

Your Turn: What are you doing around town for Memorial Day Weekend?

With over 8,100 acres of open space, 22 lush parks, and activity possibilities that span from hiking to golf, this unincorporated area outside Denver offers the best of the Colorado outdoors.

Visit Highlands Ranch Mansion, a historic structure, or one of the town’s four state-of-the-art recreational facilities.

A strong school district and steady home prices appeal to families. Highlands Ranch’s business parks are also a draw. –Brittani DiMare

Some of the hottest spots to check out in Highlands Ranch is the AMC Theatre, C.B. & Potts ans so much more.

Five other small cities in Colorado made Money Magazine’s list including Fort Collins which came in at No. 6 and Broomfield at No. 19.

Your Turn: If you are looking to settle down in the 12th greatest place to live then check out Creekside at Highland Ranch and see if this is the place for you…