Five Fun Things to Do Around Denver Oct. 11-13 2012

Five fun FREE and affordable things to do around Denver, Oct. 11-13, 2012.

Artsy Happy Hour - Don't forget that Black Sheep Fridays offer the artsiest Happy Hour in Denver Friday Oct. 12 and  every Friday at the Museum of Contemporary Art.. Happy hour drink specials and $5 admission after 5PM, which includes admission to the galleries. Galleries stay open until 9PM. This week enjoy a send up Japanese game shows with  "Show Very Enjoyable Game for Everyone." Hosted by Andrew Novick and Marc Hughes. Sake Bomb specials.

Downtown Arts Fair -- The 16th Street Fair  is a  celebration of fine art, handcrafted goods and Denver's 16th Street Mall (celebrating its 30th anniversary. Friday Oct. 12 and Saturday Oct. 13. Take a stroll along the 16th Street Mall to enjoy a showcase of emerging artists and designers, producing original and unique handmade goods, in a wide array of media. Complete details at www.16thstreetfair.com

Pumpkin Chunkin' --  You can't believe how far a pumpkin can fly, until you see one launched from a giant catapult. This annual event launches pumpkins across giant fields via giant slingshots, centrifuges, trebuchets and pneumatic air cannons. Punkin Chunkin Colorado admission is technically  FREE, but there is a $5 per car parking fee on  Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9AM-5PM. Bundle up and go, because this is really too much fun! Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 Quincy Ave., Aurora.

Firefighter Museum -- It’s Fire Safety Week so no surprise that the Denver Firefighters Museum is offering a FREE day on Sat. Oct. 13, 10AM-2PM.  Exhibits and family fun. 1326 Tremont Place (off of Colfax) in downtown Denver. 

Nature and Science  -- Sunday Oct. 14 is a FREE day for Colorado residents at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Celebrate National Fossil Day at the museum with special fossil-fun activities, arts and crafts and more. 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver.

B Punkin Chunkin' on Oct. 8

This City of Aurora's Punkin Chunkin' event takes place 9AM-6PM pm October 8th at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. I still don't understand why I find flying pumpkins so entertaining. I just do. Enjoy two live concerts including the Kyle Hollingsworth Band (Kyle being of String Cheese Incident fame), petting zoos, face painting, plus food vendors and, in keeping with the pumpkin theme, Dry Dock's Pumpkin Ale and other craft beers. Event is FREE but parking is $5 per car. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds: 25690 E. Quincy Ave, Aurora.Website here.