This will be a September to remember if summer’s mugginess soon dissipates into the crisp exhilaration of cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. To rephrase Earth, Wind & Fire’s September lines: Ba de ya, say do you remember life in September? Heading outside after the stultifying heat and rain of summer is a perk of autumn.

During fall the Cherry Creek Valley becomes a natural playground. It is a time to embrace the great outdoors as the refreshing autumn breeze begins to blow our way.

Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to kick those end of summer blues and fall into the Valley’s golden, cozy fall season:

3          You’ll harvest a belly full of laughs at the quirky, witty fall comedy playing at Lowry’s John Hand Theater on weekends this month. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., matinees 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: 303-562-3232.

3          The bridge to fall fun is the Greenway Foundation’s music and dinner gala at the 19th & Platte Historic Bridge Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Information: 303-455-7109.

3          See Indian dances, drum groups and more at DAM’s Friendship Powwow on Acoma Plaza Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-5000.

3          For a colorful fall fling attend Four Mile Park’s fall fundraiser with food, spirits and fun in the park Sept. 16, 5:30-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.

3          Discover a happy, safe and fun early education environment for your kids this fall by attending the Grand Opening of the Primrose School at Colorado Station Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-757-7727.

3          Cook up fall feasts from menus at Seasoned Chef Cooking School’s Fall Harvest Food Class Sept. 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Information: 303-377-3222.

3          Gypsy Cattle Drive stomps out end of summer blues at grand finale Inn at Cherry Creek’s rooftop show Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.

3          Make this a September to remember by attending Denver Public Library’s month-long BrewHaHa events. It is a celebration of all things brewed from the delicious smell of a fresh cup of coffee, to the quiet conversations had over tea and the social scenes created around craft beer or kombucha, to the ideas that flow from a start-up collective. Learn more at any of library’s 26 locations around town and attend a series of special events, tasting and informational programs highlighting all things brewed. Information: denverlibrary.org/brewhaha.

We know it’s not an easy task to say goodbye to those carefree days of backyard BBQs, weekend strolls and late nights of patio lounging and pitchers of sangria, but it’s time to face the inevitable: With fall only weeks away and summer’s heat beginning to fade, now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy all our Valley has to offer.

Fall begins on Sept. 23 as the center of the sun crosses Earth’s equator. The days begin to get shorter and nights longer, especially noticeable at our higher altitude.

Ahh, one of the popular things to do in the fall is watch football games and cheer our favorite teams loudly! You’ve also gotta love seasonal drinks like pumpkin spiced lattes, apple cider and hot cocoa. Fall is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Now, if money did in fact grow on trees this would truly be a September to remember.

— Glen Richardson

The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.

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