Here comes July and the outdoors are open for you to share. ’Tis the end of school and the death of cool. Sure the days feel hot and sultry because July’s sun-kissed season has begun. There are barbecues spent in the summer sun, parties with friends and family. Watermelon anyone? Did we mention red, white and blue everything?
July is a noisy time, when fireworks and new life are bursting forth and the birds return to chirp and sing. Rain’s pitter patter is followed by the roar of thunderstorms.
Here are our sweltering choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to rollick, romp and splash into the sights, sounds and smells to keep the fireworks bursting:
3 Blast off this month by watching the mega City of Glendale Fireworks as they light up the skies July 2nd at dusk (9-9:30 p.m.).The barrage of fireworks begins Valley’s July 4 celebrations. Information: 303-759-1513.
3 Mama Magnolia, Shakedown Street, Pint & A Half and Dakota Blonde play Shady Grove Wed. evenings July 3-24. Information: 303-777-3003.
3 Featuring a toe-tapping new score, don’t miss Charlie & The Chocolate Factory playing the Buell Theatre, July 9-28. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Catch the swashbuckling tale of Billy Budd premiering at Central City Opera’s summer festival opening July 13. Information: 303-292-6700.
3 Get an A/C Tune Up or purchase a High Efficiency Cooling & Heating System to stay cool and comfortable this summer. The air conditioning experts at ARS are offering cool deals. Information: 303-418-6000.
3 For awesome summer eats, drinks and dessert, treat the family to Sam’s No. 3 with locations in Glendale, Aurora and downtown. Chill with a cold beer, cocktails and milkshakes. Information: 303-333-4403.
3 Help fund the Denver Dream Center by attending the 2nd annual Cowboy Luau at No. 38 July 13, 4-10 p.m. Information: lacomeevents.com.
3 View, buy beautiful art as you enjoy live music at the colorful outdoor Cheesman Park Art Festival July 27-28. Information: 505-273-7376.
3 Chill out at Sloan’s Lake Park to end the month attending the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, July 28-29. A popular event for 17 years, it centers around a dragon boat competition. Teams of more than 50 boaters race across the lake. See 100 shows on five performing art stages. There’s an Asian Food Court plus a Marketplace. At Dragonland, kids try learning projects, watch shows on the kids’ stage. Information: cdbf.org.
July’s Cherry Creek Valley weather is the hottest of the year, bringing with it more thunderstorms. Nearly every day in July warms to over 70° F. The Valley averages 14 days this month with the thermometer reaching into the 90°s F. Temperatures above 100° F occur every couple of years. With the heat expect about 1-2-inches of rain.
Lest you think our worst wet weather is over, recall this folklore forecast: “If the first of July be rainy weather, It will rain more or less, for four weeks together.”
Yes, this is National Ice Cream Month. There’s also Chocolate Day and Moon Day. The month’s biggest blast is Independence Day on July 4th. Perfect days for splashing in the pool or relaxing on National Hammock Day. We close with this cool Sara Coleridge canto: “Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.