DougCo Drop – July 23 – Yeehaw - it's time to Giddyup at the Rodeo & Fair, Sneak-peek at DougCo's next Open Space, and a Parker Cafe expands to Castle Rock

Hope you all had a great week and have been enjoying the great weather like I have. I’m trading my hiking boots from this past weekend for my cowboy boots this weekend. I had an awesome time at the sneak-peek of Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space (681 acres in Castle Rock) which I’ll be posting about on Instagram later this week, but am looking forward to kicking things off with the initial events for The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo (sample of Fair & Rodeo events below).

In case you sports fans missed it, Denver’s Women’s Soccer Team just announced their new name - Denver Summit FC. Check out their Crest and the explanation behind it here.

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

🎤 Tunes on the Terrace: The Dreamboats 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
 📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: A high-energy show inspired by 50s & 60s music.

🎤 HRCA Summer Concert Series | Christie Huff Music 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 24
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Highland Heritage Regional Park, Highlands Ranch
 🎤 Detail: A soulful touch to country music.

🎹 Peter Kater Live - With Special Guest Richard Hardy 
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 🎹 Detail: Inspiring music of Peter Kater joined by Richard Hardy, stationary castle tours, and post-event dessert.

🎤 2025 Discovery Park Summer Concert: Rhett Haney 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 24
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Discovery Park, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Multi-talented country singer.

🎤 YaSi 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Brothers Bar & Grill, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: Contemporary R&B with sultry vocals and sentimental lyrics.

🎤 Trent Hughes 
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: Brothers Bar & Grill, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: Country music with a hard edge that gets you moving.

🎤 Walker Williams Band 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 24
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Covers of popular country songs.

🎤 Phat Daddy 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A high-energy band consisting of some of Denver’s top nightclub and showroom performers.

🎤 Hillbilly Demons 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 8:30 PM - 12:30 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A high-energy country band with a twist, playing older country hits.

🎵 Rock the Mountain Concert Series: Jordan Yewey
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎵 Detail: Good vibes, great music, and tasty food trucks.

🎤 Rock the Mountain Concert Series: Lauren King
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎤 Detail: Enjoy music, food trucks, and a great atmosphere.

🎷 Jazz in the Park
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 23
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
 🎷 Detail: Summer evening jazz outdoors.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

 🎬 Moana 2 Showing at Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Backcountry Base Camp, Littleton
 🎬 Detail: Bring your popcorn, chairs, and cozy blankets for a magical night at the movies.

🎉 Family Fun Fridays 
 📅Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
 📍Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎉Detail: Kid-friendly activities, live performances, and entertainment. 

🌲 Backcountry Bigfoot Bash 
📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍Location: Backcountry Base Camp, Littleton
 🌲Detail: Bounce houses, dunk tanks, inflatable axe throwing, food trucks, and a movie to end the night.

🧘‍♀️ Fitness

🚵 HRCA Rocky Gulch Circuit 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 23
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Red-Tail Park, Highlands Ranch
 🚵 Detail: Two five-mile loops for mountain bike racers of all abilities.

💪 Free Fitness Fridays | Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Amphitheater at Miller Park, Castle Rock
 💪 Detail: Great workout in fresh air for all fitness levels.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga in the Park 
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
 📍 Location: Amphitheater at Miller Park, Castle Rock
 🧘‍♀️ Detail: Focusing on awareness, breathing, and stillness outdoors.

🧘‍♀️ Free Yoga in the Park 
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch
 🧘‍♀️ Detail: Free sessions for every skill level.

🎨 Arts & Culture

🛡️ Colorado Renaissance Festival
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: All Day
 📍 Location: Renaissance Festival Grounds, Larkspur
 🛡️ Detail: A 16th Century Medieval Amusement Park with shows, food, and more.

📚 Daytime Book Club 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 23
 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Libraries-Castle Pines, Castle Pines
 📚 Detail: Adults meet monthly to discuss titles from a variety of genres.

💃 Colorado Dance Center's 2025 Summer Performance 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 23 & Thursday, July 24
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Pace Center, Parker
 💃 Detail: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, & Hip-Hop dancers of all ages perform together in a collaborative dance performance.

🌳 Into the Woods Jr. 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25, Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
 🌳 Detail: A youth musical presented by Sasquatch Productions, Ltd. and Parker Arts.

🍽️ Food & Drink

🌽 Lunch with the Barnyard Bunch 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 24
 ⏰ Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 📍 Location: Backcountry Base Camp, Littleton
 🌽 Detail: Pack your own delicious picnic lunch and enjoy your meal with friendly chickens and playful goats.

🍷 Parker Wine Walks 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 📍 Location: Downtown Parker
 🍷 Detail: Wine, music, and event exhibitors at a beautiful evening in Parker.

🍺 Brew Tour 
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Libraries-Castle Rock, Castle Rock
 🍺 Detail: Local brews, food trucks, fun giveaways, and live music.

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

🎉 Forbidden Bingo 
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎉 Detail: The original Forbidden Bingo is back.

🎤 Karaoke with Avery Every Wednesday! 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 23
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Fun and exciting singers with mixes of dance sets.

🐴 Rodeo Roundup 

🐮 Cattle Drive 
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Downtown Castle Rock
 🐮 Detail: Come to watch a herd of Texas Longhorn walk through downtown led by the Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers.

🎤 Dustin Lynch Concert w/ Lakeview
 📅 Date: Friday, July 25
 ⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
 🎤 Detail: Catch country chart-topper Dustin Lynch who’s joined by special guests Lakeview. GA tix ~$60.

🎉 Douglas County Fair Parade 
📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM
 📍Location: Downtown Castle Rock
 🎉Detail: Starting on the south end of Town and flowing down Wilcox to 4th, ending at 2nd street.

🍻 Boots & Brews 
 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26
 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
 🍻 Detail: Mechanical bull, live country music, local breweries, and tasty food trucks.

🍽️ Farm-to-Table Brunch 
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
 🍽️ Detail: An elevated brunch catered by Coast2Coast, highlighting agriculture and fresh local ingredients.

🚗 Vintage Car Club Show
 📅 Date: Sunday, July 27
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
 🚗 Detail: A polished lineup of classics from the Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock.

Sponsorship

BoxDrop Castle Rock

"At BoxDrop Castle Rock, we’re your local go-to for brand-new, name-brand mattresses and furniture, all without those jaw-dropping retail markups! Want an easy $100 off? Just show us this ad when you visit. No strings, no fine print, just a simple way to save big and support your local community.

Scan the QR code and come see us this week. Your next comfy upgrade (and that extra $100 in your pocket) is waiting!"

Hometown Headlines

New Trails Coming to Wildcat Regional Park 
TLDR: After months of public debate, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) has revealed a conceptual plan to develop a trail system at Wildcat Regional Park — a 202-acre site behind Rocky Heights Middle School. The design prioritizes wildlife protection, particularly an elk herd and nearby golden eagle nest, by limiting trails north of a critical ridgeline. The project includes bike-only, pedestrian-only, and multi-use trails, plus educational signs. If built within three years, HRCA will maintain the park; otherwise, it reverts to Douglas County. The trails could open as early as late 2025.

Could the Rockies Finally Be Building a Contender? Post-Draft Lineup Featuring Ethan Holliday Offers Hope for 2026 and Beyond 
TLDR: Despite their current record-setting struggles, the Colorado Rockies are earning rare praise for a strong 2025 MLB Draft—especially landing top high school talent Ethan Holliday. If Holliday rises as fast as his brother Jackson, fans could see him in the Rockies’ lineup by late 2026 alongside Charlie Condon, Ezequiel Tovar, and Zac Veen. This potential lineup teases a powerful, versatile offense backed by emerging depth like Cole Carrigg and Adael Amador. While current players like Ryan McMahon and Michael Toglia may be trade bait, the Rockies' youth movement finally offers fans something they haven’t had in years: genuine hope.

Controversy and Choice: Sterling Ranch to Open Tuition-Free John Adams Academy Charter School in 2026 
TLDR: A new tuition-free K–12 charter school, John Adams Academy, is set to open in Sterling Ranch in 2026—a year before a planned Douglas County public elementary school—thanks to a 25-acre land donation from Sterling Ranch LLC. Approved by the Colorado Charter School Institute, not the local district, the academy's classical, liberty-based education model has stirred both support and concern in the community. 

Tried & True

⛪️ Tried & True: Castle View Cafe

A Parker restaurateur has finally answered the two questions every Castle Rock local’s been asking: “Who’s taking over the old Vista Vino spot?” …and then, “Is it worth going to?”

Good news — we’ve got answers.

Castle View Cafe quietly opened a few weeks ago inside The Silo, brought to you by the same crew behind Stonegate Cafe — a Parker staple that’s been serving up breakfast and brunch for 12+ years. This new Castle Rock outpost keeps the same cozy vibe and early-day hours (7:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily), with a menu focused on breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

We swung by during the Sunday rush and grabbed seats at the large communal hightop. The breakfast tacos had a solid kick (in the best way), and the Reuben held its own — especially if you’re craving something heavier. The interior hasn’t changed much from the Vista Vino days aside from paint and signage, but it works. Some patio seats offer a great view of the iconic Castle Rock. Sit outside or swing by off-hours if you’re after a quieter meal — otherwise, enjoy the buzz.

If you’re brunching with friends or just looking for a dependable, low-key spot to start your day, this one’s a win.

📍 Located inside The Silo in Castle Rock
📷 Menu photos below (may need to click into them to expand)

Breakfast

Lunch

Brunch Cocktails