Affordable/Fun Things to Do in Denver, Sept. 28-30 2012

Here are five fun and affordable things to do in Denver this weekend, Sept. 28-30, 2012.

St. John's Cathedral - Kicks off it's 2012-2013 concert season with a performance by Canadian Tristan Teo, a rising star in the next generation of North American pianists. Concert Friday Sept. 28 for the cost of a free will offering -- that means you should pay whatever you can muster. The award-winning young pianist will be performing works by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Rave. Saint John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington St.,Denver.

Living History - Check out this very cool FREE historical reenactment in Morrison on Friday Sept. 28 and Saturday Sept. 29.  Hosted by Red Rocks Baptist Church in Morrison Admission is $3 per person or a maximum of $15 per family - cash or check ONLY. The event features two battle reenactments, 18th century costumed interpreters, kid activities and short dramas. 14711 W. Morrison Drive, Morrison.

Final Fridays Untitled event -  at the Denver Art Museum (DAM), give visitors an offbeat look at the DAM's collections and exhibitions. On Friday Sept. 28 from 6-10PM the Fresh Life theme, Untitled #51 (Second Life), will have DAM celebrate the artist and his exhibition El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa. Visitors can dive into the world of upcycling and repair, while getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the museum's fixer-upper projects. Buntport Theater's Joan and Charlie Discuss Tonight's Theme, local musicians and artists will join the fun. Pay bar. Untitled is included with general admission to the museum, which is two-for-one with valid student ID during the event. 100 W. 14th Ave Pkwy., Denver.

 Jared's Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off and Festival  - On Sat. Sept. 29 from 10-5PM. This is a fun FREE family event that features pumpkins the size of Volkswagen Beetles, Tons of  free activities  including the Galleria of Ghouls, straw maze, obstacle course and dog costume contests. For a small fee face painting, bouncy castle, and the petting zoo will be available. Giant and Weird Veggie Contest  (sunflowers, gourds, watermelon, tomatoes, and more)  Jump Bunch Denver will be on hand to wear out the kidlets, along with a story time at 10:30AM. Plus a Chili Cook-off!  Carve a pumpkin with Master Carver Barry Brown from 1-2PM. Local Vendors, food and beer will be on site, but if you are coming later in the day be aware that they sometimes run out of food items. Really cool pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks etc. for sale too. Jared's Nursery, Gift & Garden, 10500 W. Bowles Ave.,Littleton.

Green Spaces Full Moon Harvest Festival - On Sat. Sept. 29 the 2012 Green Spaces Festival aims to draw a big crowd to  Denver's Five Points District to celebrate local food, art, culture and live music featuring some of Colorado's emerging top bands. FREE entry before dusk, $5 after dark. Local brews, more than 80 local vendors, food trucks, workshops and too much music to list. Check above website for details.

Denver's Blacktop Festival - a FREE celebration of music and arts, will be held from 10AM-2PM on Saturday Sept. 29, 2012. Is this going to be fun? You bet. You can hear live music or make your own art or watch a performance or run around in the grass. Play an interactive video game, or listen to a mini opera. You can buy your vegetables for the week, get your bike fixed, or read a magazine. Fun activities include a Zine Library, plaster body casting, Ballet Nouveau, comedy, live mural painting, tetherball and farmers' market. At the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Champa, Denver. Too many bands to mention!

FREE Concert at the Gothic Theater - The inaugural Reykjavik Calling showcase celebrates music emerging from Denver and Iceland with a FREE concert Saturday, Sept. 29. Doors open at 8PM. at the Gothic Theatre at 3262 S. Broadway, Englewood. 

And one extra....this is the last weekend for Denver's annual Oktoberfest,  Friday, Sept. 28 - Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. FREE admission. See hours and scheduled events at above link. Between 20th and 22nd on Larimer St., Denver.

Giant Pumpkin Contest in Littleton FREE 9/24

Get ready for the X-Games of garden vegetables today, Sept.. 24, at the Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers, sixth annual weigh-off at Jared’s Nursery and Garden Center in Littleton. FREE admission. You can also purchase cool and exotic pumpkins (along with the usual orange types), corn stalks and other seasonal ornamentals from Jareds. But the true stars of the show are the extreme giant pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, tomatoes and more. Last year the contest produced the state's largest pumpkin, a 1,283-pound mammoth. That was 150 pounds more than the previous year's winner. You have to wonder what they'll come up with this year. I recommend that you bring the kids and a camera to this perennial favorite event.

Jareds is a great garden center and they really know how to throw a harvest fest. In addition to viewing giant veggies, the event includes a straw maze, an obstacle course, Jared's Galleria of Ghouls and a story teller. Don't miss the dog costume contest either. Also, there will be food vendors including ice cream, hot dogs, bbq and fresh roasted hatch chili peppers. A bouncy castle and face painting will be available for a small fee. The event starts at 10 am on with the Junior division (under 16) weigh-off, and the Senior division (over 16) will start at approximately 11am. Those interested in entering a pumpkin in the competition can do so for $15. In addition to Giant Pumpkins, you can enter long gourds, giant squash and tomatoes at no charge. This is one of our favorite events that we visit every year. Visit www.jaredsgarden.com. Jared's is located at 10500 W Bowles Ave. Littleton,