Things to do for Memorial Day weekend near Denver
DENVER (KDVR) — From flowers that smell like rotting flesh to art, music and car shows — there are plenty of things going on in the Denver metro for Memorial Day weekend.
There will be chances for evening showers on Saturday and Sunday, otherwise, the forecast for the three-day weekend is looking to be nice in the 70s with a few clouds.
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If you are looking for something to do, here are some ideas and events happening this weekend.
Rare corpse flower could bloom this weekend
If a rare flower that smells like decaying flesh interests you, head to the Plant Growth Facility Conservatory at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. There, a rare corpse flower named Cosmo has been in CSU’s care for seven years and is expected to bloom for the first time soon, possibly this weekend.
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When the corpse flower first blooms, according to CSU Plant Growth Facilities Manager Tammy Brenner, it will emit a putrid odor that has been compared to the smell of decaying flesh. After Cosmo blooms, he won’t bloom again for another three to five years.
If you want to experience the smell, be sure to visit when the stench is strongest within the first 12-24 hours after blooming. CSU said the smell lasts two to three days. If you want to see the flower bloom but don’t care to smell decaying flesh, CSU has an ongoing live stream of the flower on YouTube that you can tune into.
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Saturday afternoon, CSU told FOX31 that the flower had “noticeable changes in the last hour” and they are expecting it to bloom early Sunday morning.
Use the slider below to compare images of the flower from 5:22 p.m. to 6:22 p.m. Saturday.
Public viewing will be open each day while the flower is in bloom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Denver Arts Festival
Regarded as one of the best art shows in the nation, the Denver Arts Festival kicks off for the 25th time this weekend with both local and national artists and an estimated 50,000 attendees.
The festival includes live music, 150 booths, food, a kid’s art zone, a wine and beer tent and more.
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The event is free for all to attend and is happening at the Conservatory Green in the Central Park neighborhood, located at 8304 E. 49th Pl. The festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking is free and the festival asks attendees to leave pets at home.
Downtown Denver Public Art Bicycle Tour
Bicyclists can take a bike tour highlighting artwork through downtown Denver on Sunday. The tour highlights artwork at Denver Skate Park, Commons Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Colorado Convention Center, as well as some unique pieces not known to the general public.
The tour lasts about two and a half hours and covers about three miles using bike routes and paths through the city.
These roads will be closed during Memorial Day weekend
The tour costs $5 per person and is free for kids 10 and under. Cyclists will meet at 4 p.m. at the City of Cuernavaca Park at 20th Street and Platte Street. Those interested can register for the tour online.
Emo at The Disco Denver
Emo is not dead in Denver — in fact, it’s alive and well at the Monkey Barrel on Tejon Street this weekend.
Anyone can comment on the Facebook event discussion and post links to their favorite emo songs to potentially hear them at the event.
The event runs from 2-7 p.m. Sunday and is free for all to attend. Tickets can be claimed online.
Memorial Day fireworks at Elich Gardens
Elich Gardens hosts firework shows for some holidays, including Memorial Day.
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General admission is necessary to attend the show. Right now, there are deals on the park’s website, including one that offers $20 off of the main gate price of $49.99.
The show begins when the park closes at 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Memorial Day Weekend Vendor Market and Car Show
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you’ll find local vendors, food trucks and classic cars at the Gateway Classic Cars of Denver, located at 14150 Grasslands Dr. in Englewood.
The show is free for all to attend and there will be free coffee, pastries and t-shirts in the morning while supplies last.
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The vendor market will be open until 2 p.m., a chrome car show will go from 9 a.m. to noon, then the Women In Wheels Car Show will happen from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees will cast their votes and the top three female car owners will win an award.
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