DougCo Drop – July 2 – Drips from the Drop: 4th of July Fireworks, Nuggets are Making Moves, and a Local Steady that Never Disappoints

Wishing you a Happy 4th of July week — this newsletter is not only late but also short, since I’m out of office…and I hope you are, too!

Saddle Up

Music & Concerts

🎸 Eric Golden Band
📅 Date: Thursday, July 3
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern, Parker
🎶 Detail: Classic country hits from Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, and more!

🎶 Discovery Park Concert Series: Thumpin’
📅 Date: Thursday, July 3
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Discovery Park, Parker
🎶 Detail: Funk, soul, and R&B with high-energy vocals and a tight rhythm section.

🎶 Elizabeth Friday Night Market & Music - our IG post on it
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Running Creek Park, Elizabeth
🎶 Detail: Live music, food trucks, and local vendors for a fun evening.

🎸 Margarita Brothers
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern, Parker
🎶 Detail: Tropical rock and a tribute to The Beach Boys for a fun, beachy vibe.

🎸 County Line Band
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Brothers Bar and Grill, Lone Tree
🎶 Detail: High-energy mix of modern country and classic rock.

🎶 Rock the Mountain Concert Series: Aleik Maddox
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5
⏰ 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: Grey Rails
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
🎶 Detail: Enjoy music, food trucks, and a great atmosphere.

Food & Drink

🍹 Barrel Buddies Premium Spirits Dinner Party
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 2
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Sinners & Saints, Castle Rock
🍹 Detail: 5-course barrel-aged spirits tasting with Chef Brian Lopes.

🥩 WR Premium Beef Dinner & Cutting Horse Showcase
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Wiens Ranch Co Inc, Sedalia
🥩 Detail: Black Angus beef dinner and cutting horse competition.

🍓 Larkspur Farmers Market
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 2
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
🍓 Detail: Fresh produce, artisanal products, and live music.

🥕 Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: HR Town Center, Highlands Ranch
🥕 Detail: Colorado-grown produce, local vendors, and artisan goods.

🍅 Castle Rock Farmers’ Market
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
🍅 Detail: Fresh produce and handmade products.

🥒 Parker Farmers’ Market on Main Street
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Main Street, Parker
🥒 Detail: Local produce and handmade goods.

Families

🎬 Mufasa Showing at Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5th
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Back Country Base Camp, Littleton
🎬 Detail: Bring your popcorn, chairs, and cozy blankets for a magical night at the movies.

🎉 ROCK-IT RUN
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 6:00 AM (5k at 8:00 AM)
📍 Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
🎉 Detail: Family fun, half marathon, 5K, food trucks, and local vendors.

🎉 Family Fun Fridays
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
🎉 Detail: Kid-friendly activities, food trucks, and good vibes.

💃 Family Night Line Dancing Lessons
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
💃 Detail: Line dancing, meal deals, and drink specials for the whole family.

Nightlife & Entertainment

🍸 Noice Choice Trivia
📅 Date: Thursday, July 3
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Bodega Beer Company, Parker
🍸 Detail: Fast-paced trivia with prizes.

🎉 Sunday Funday Tailgate Party: Colorado Heroes Day
📅 Date: Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Denver Polo Club, Sedalia
🎉 Detail: Polo, tailgate fun, and family-friendly activities.

Arts & Culture

🏰 Colorado Renaissance Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6
⏰ Time: All day
📍 Location: Renaissance Festival Grounds, Larkspur
🏰 Detail: A 16th Century Medieval Amusement Park with shows, food, and more.

🎨 Art Exhibit: Colorado Watercolor Society 34th Annual State Exhibit
📅 Date: Now through July 31
⏰ Time: All day
📍 Location: Parker Pace Center, Parker
🎨 Detail: Vibrant watercolor works by artists from across the state.

4th of July Celebrations

🎇 Littleton: Stars & Stripes Fireworks
📅 Date: Thursday, July 3
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Breckenridge Brewery, Littleton
🎇 Detail: Patriotic music from Symphony of the Rockies and fireworks!

🎇 Castle Rock: Fireworks
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Former Acme Brick facility, Castle Rock
🎇 Detail: A 15-minute fireworks show to celebrate the 4th of July.

🎇 Parker: Fireworks
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Salisbury Park, Parker
🎇 Detail: Fireworks display launching at 9:30 PM.

🎇 Highlands Ranch: Fireworks
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 9:00 PM (can come at 6:00 PM for food trucks)
📍 Location: Highland Heritage Regional Park
🎇 Detail: Enjoy fireworks after an afternoon of family fun and food trucks.

🎇 Lone Tree: Fireworks
📅 Date: Friday, July 4
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM (day starts at 9:00 AM with a family run & stroll)
📍 Location: Lone Tree Elementary for run & stroll (fireworks visible from Prairie Sky Park+)
🎇 Detail: Family fun, food trucks, live music, and fireworks.

Hometown Headlines

🏀 Nugs’ Major Free Agency Moves
TLDR: The Nuggets are making some serious moves in free agency after firing their GM (and coach) at the end of last year’s regular season. In: Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown Jr., Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Out: Michael Porter Jr., Dario Saric, and 2032 1st round pick.

🏗️ Proposed New Ordinance Would Limit New Projects at Four Stories
TLDR: Castle Rock delayed a decision on this new proposed ordinance which is effectively a downzone for downtown buildings. Buildings have been built all the way up to seven stories in downtown.

📉 Rockies: Nepotism at Its Finest
TLDR: Rockies' President and CEO Jim Feasel will step down at the end of this season. Walker Monfort (yep, Dick Monfort’s son), will be moving towards the top of the organization and has been promoted to EVP. We’ll see how this all shakes out.

Tried & True

🌮 Tried & True: Sierra

If you're thinking about hitting Sierra for dinner, make a reservation. It’s a well-oiled machine and they turn tables quickly, but if you want a prime-time spot, plan ahead.

We went on a perfect Colorado evening—low 70s, around 7:30 pm—and sat on the covered patio. Total win. It offers that open-air vibe without needing a sweater. There’s also indoor seating (with great views) and a full outdoor section, so you’ve got options.

I wasn’t feeling the typical salad-and-steak combo, so I started with the Chicken Tortilla Soup and got the Santa Fe Enchiladas for my main—grilled chicken (you can also choose cheese or Prime NY strip). Solid choice. Others in the group went with Sierra Favorites like the Louisiana Killer Shrimp, which had a little heat, and the Crispy Diablo Sandwich, which based on the reaction, was firing on all cylinders.

Cocktails, wine, beer? They’ve got you covered on all fronts.

Strong recommend for a go-to local dinner spot that feels like a treat without trying too hard or breaking the bank.

🌐 Check out their menu here!