DougCo Drop – Nov 26th – Black Friday Pickleball Deals, Cherokee Ranch & Castle News, and NYC Cocktail Lounge Vibes

Happy Thanksgiving week! Hope you’re enjoying some time off, or if you are working, I hope you’re enjoying pretending to be productive…as you probably know, I’m a big fan of pickleball and fortunately was able to take advantage of the warm weather this past weekend and play outside, but the weather is turning so if you are a pickleballer and are looking for a place to play indoors, I’d recommend checking out The Picklr. They’re running some deals for Black Friday. I’ve been to both the Littleton and Aurora locations twice and enjoyed them each time!

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

🎤 Retro Sonic
📅 Date: Friday, November 28
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Pines Bar & Grill, Castle Pines
🎤 Detail: Wrap up your Black Friday in style with an evening of fabulous live music, delicious food, great service, and refreshing beverages.

🎤 Radio Revolution Debut w/ Atomic Xperience
📅 Date: Friday, November 28
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: This high-energy band is here to make their first show unforgettable so bring your crew, grab a drink, and let’s light up Parker with a night of nonstop hits!

🎤 Gritty Velvet
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Pines Bar & Grill, Castle Pines
🎤 Detail: Get ready for a high‑energy night as Gritty Velvet returns to Pines Bar & Grill in Castle Pines!

🎤 THE ORCHARD ROAD BAND!!
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
📍 Location: The Stagecoach Saloon, Franktown
🎤 Detail: The Orchard Road Band is a Colorado-based group known for mixing today’s hits with fresh takes on timeless classics and country tunes.

🎤 Music of the Knights: Holiday Knights
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🎤 Detail: Acclaimed vocalists bring decades of brilliance to life with Broadway blockbusters, chart‑topping pop classics, and festive holiday favorites.

🎤 Phoenix Band
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
🎤 Detail: Rise up and rock out with Phoenix Band as they bring their fiery sound to Wild Goose Saloon!

🎤 Sons of the Pioneers: Warming Up to the Holidays
📅 Date: Sunday, November 30
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree
🎤 Detail: Sons of the Pioneers: Warming Up to the Holidays rides into town Sunday, Nov 30 at 7 PM for a heartwarming evening of Western charm and holiday cheer.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

🌟 One Christmas Night in Memphis
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 26
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🌟 Detail: Step back into the golden age of rock and roll with a holiday twist!

🐕‍🦺 Stunt Dog Experience for the Holidays
📅 Date: Friday, November 28
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM
📍 Location: PACE Center, Parker
🐕‍🦺 Detail: Celebrate the season with an unforgettable show where rescue dogs become the stars of the stage!

🎄 Mayor's Holiday Lighting
📅 Date: Friday, November 28
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: O'Brien Park, Parker
🎄 Detail: Watch as the Mayor and Town Council lead the countdown to the Town Tree and Grand Park Lighting, transforming the park into a sparkling wonderland of white elegance.

🏚️ Hometown Holiday Kick-Off Saturday
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: All Day
📍 Location: O'Brien Park, Parker
🏚️ Detail: Start the season with a festive day in Downtown Parker! Stroll between O’Brien and Discovery Park to enjoy holiday lights, décor, and music, plus photo ops by the Town tree.

🎄 Tree Lighting & Tree Farm
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Sterling Center, Sterling Ranch
🎄 Detail: Gather with family and friends as the Sterling Center tree sparkles to life with the winner of the Holiday Contest having the honor of lighting the tree. The tree will light up at 6 PM.

🎻 Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza
📅 Date: Saturday, November 29
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM with VIP Event at 6:00 PM
📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
🎻 Detail: Enjoy glowing candlelight, dazzling stage effects, and an immersive light show as international acclaim meets holiday magic.

🎞️ Relaxed Atmosphere Movie Showing: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
📅 Date: Sunday, November 30
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
🎞️ Detail: Bring the whole family for a special relaxed atmosphere screening of the animated holiday favorite, The Grinch!

🏃 Fitness

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ 5K Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll
📅 Date: Thursday, November 27
⏰ Time: 7:30 AM
📍 Location: Douglas County Event Center, Castle Rock
🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Detail: Now in its 21st year, this beloved 5K Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll kicks off Thanksgiving morning and welcomes everyone from seasoned runners to casual walkers.

🎨 Arts & Culture

👗 Iron Mule - December Sea Glass Trees
📅 Date: Monday, December 1
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Iron Mule Brewery, Castle Rock
👗 Detail: Let your creativity shine as you craft your own 6" sea glass tree whether you go Grinch-tastic, Gnomey, or keep it classic, it’s totally your vibe.

🍽️ Food & Drinks

🍵 Pour Over Class
📅 Date: Friday, November 28
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Lost Coffee, Highlands Ranch
🍵 Detail: Learn the art of pour over from our resident coffee experts in an intimate class limited to just 5 participants.

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

🎤 Avery Kyle Entertainment
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 26
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
🎤 Detail: Join Avery Kyle Entertainment for a high-energy karaoke night, complete with dance sets and an unforgettable crowd vibe. Free show!

🏔️ On the Horizon

🚶 Sip & Stroll
📅 Date: Thursday, December 4
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Castle Rock, Castle Rock
🚶 Detail: Enjoy a festive evening as local shops stay open late with holiday sips, sweet treats, and special deals.

🎁 Plum Creek Christmas Market
📅 Date: Saturday, December 6
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Plum Creek Church, Castle Rock
🎁 Detail: Celebrate the season right here in Castle Rock! Shop local artisans, enjoy holiday treats, and let kids shine at this special event!

❄️ Downtown Parker Holiday Market
📅 Date: Saturday, December 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: O’Brien Park, Parker
❄️ Detail: Join the joyful celebration where the magic of the season comes alive. Explore an eclectic mix of local artisans presenting beautiful, handmade gifts, food trucks, and other fun activities.

🚗 Worth the Drive 

❄️ Denver Christkindlmarket
📅 Date: Friday, November 21 - Tuesday, December 23
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mon-Thu) & 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Fri-Sun)
📍 Location: Auraria Campus, Denver
❄️ Detail: Celebrate 25 years of holiday tradition at the Denver Christkindlmarket, now sparkling in its new home on the Auraria Campus.

🎄 Mile High Drone Show
📅 Date: Friday, November 21 - Wednesday, December 31
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Auraria Campus, Denver
🎄 Detail: Celebrate the season at Denver’s Auraria Campus, where the Mile High Tree lights up the Tivoli Quad with free nightly shows of music and color.

🎄 Trail of Lights
📅 Date: Friday, November 21 - Sunday, January 11 (closed Nov. 27 & Dec. 25)
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Chatfield Farms, Littleton
🎄 Detail: Experience Colorado’s countryside aglow this holiday season at Littleton’s Chatfield Farms.

🎅 Hudson Holidays
📅 Date: Friday, November 28 until January 4
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Hudson Gardens, Littleton
🎅 Detail: The season sparkles beginning Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, with shows on select nights through Jan. 4, 2026.

❄️ Denver Winter Market
📅 Date: Friday, December 5 to December 14 (every Friday - Sunday)
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Friday), 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Saturday), 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday)
📍 Location: Sports Castle, Denver
❄️ Detail: A premier holiday shopping experience! 100+ local small businesses and makers, 3 bars servicing festive cocktails and cold beers, free gift wrapping, and more!

From the Gardens
Garden Center in Highlands Ranch
Your Premier Garden Store
Open at 9 a.m. Friday, November 28th

Christmas Trees — Colorado native Concolor White Firs & Noble Firs
Poinsettias — Multiple sizes to choose from
Fresh greenery — garlands, wreaths, and boughs

The Gardens boutique home store features Christmas collectibles, ornaments, and novel items to match all styles and tastes, plus distinctive gifts for those with discerning tastes.

And, don’t miss our Ornament Decorating Event!

Create Your Own Ornament
Saturday, December 6
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Gardens — 9542 S. University Blvd, Highlands Ranch
Free to attend

Ornaments ready to decorate with acrylic paints & markers, organic elements, stencils, faux snow, and all you need to create your own memorable ornament!

Wanted, Help

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

• Yardi System Administrator (Multifamily) - Monarch Investment and Management Group - Franktown

• Financial Advisor - Apollo Strategic Advisors - Castle Rock

• Sodexo - Clinical Nutrition Manager - Highlands Ranch

If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.

Land and Lore

Cherokee Ranch & Castle

Cherokee Ranch & Castle quietly returned more than half a million dollars to Douglas County this fall, and I admit I did not have this on my bingo board. I covered the funding when it was first awarded this summer, but given how interconnected the Ranch & Castle has always seemed with county leadership, this move genuinely surprised me.

If you missed it earlier this year, the historic landmark in Sedalia was awarded $575,000 in county preservation funds. The money was intended for repairs and other preservation-related projects at the castle. The foundation accepted the grant and everything appeared greenlit.

Then they sent the money back.

Executive Director James Holmes said the foundation and the county had “differences of opinion” on how the projects should move forward. He didn’t say what the disagreement was. What is clear is that the foundation believed the conditions attached to the funding would pull the ranch away from Tweet Kimball’s original vision.

Holmes said the decision was made “to remain true to Tweet’s legacy as purely as we can.” Returning the funds created a $575,000 gap heading into winter.

This is especially unusual because Cherokee Ranch & Castle has historically aligned well with county leadership, particularly around open space and preservation. Which raises the real question:

Did the county want something changed?

Did the foundation push back?

Or were both sides imagining different versions of the same project?

Right now, nobody is saying, and I can’t find anything publicly explaining the deeper issue. One known condition of receiving the funds was allowing the commissioners to appoint two board members to the Castle’s board. Whether that played a role in the disagreement is unclear.

What we do know is that a major project is paused, the foundation is now turning to private donors to fill the gap, and a century-old landmark is waiting on repairs until new funding comes through.

If you’re interested in supporting the foundation, Colorado Gives Day donations are open here.

Source: CBS

Hometown Headlines

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café Opening Soon in Highlands Ranch
TLDR: Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is opening a new location in Highlands Ranch at 1601 Mayberry Drive. They are hiring about 30 staff members and are aiming for a mid-December opening. The menu focuses on classic Mediterranean dishes with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. The location will include community tables and an outdoor patio.

Valor Christian Volleyball’s Historic Title Comes with Heartbreak
TLDR: Valor Christian’s volleyball team won its fourth straight 5A state championship, the first four-peat at that level in Colorado. Minutes after the win, longtime head coach Jayne McHugh passed away following a battle with leukemia. The team brought the championship ball to her hospital room before she passed. The players say the victory belongs to her.

Fitness Premier is Coming to Highlands Ranch
TLDR: A 20,000-square-foot gym called Fitness Premier is coming to 2680 E. County Line Road. The owners, who live in Castle Rock, plan to combine standard gym offerings with on-site health providers like acupuncturists and nutritionists. Memberships start at $50 per month, with tiered options for wellness suites and training. They plan to open multiple locations across Colorado.

Tried & True

🥃 Tried & True: Provision

Provision has been on my list for a while, and it ended up being one of the more unique-feeling spots in Douglas County. The room is dark, polished, and has a bit of a New York cocktail lounge feel without ever feeling out of place here.

We ordered a handful of dishes to get a sense of the menu, and everything landed. The bacon-wrapped dates were a great start, the grilled cheese was rich and satisfying, and the burger was the standout. Great sear, great flavor, and the fries with the aioli were one of those combinations you don’t think much about until you’re halfway through the plate.

The butter crumble bourbon cocktail comes topped with a cookie, which is a fun touch. I didn’t try the drink itself, but the table liked it. The filet tips rounded things out well.

Provision is definitely going into my regular rotation. Good food, interesting cocktails, and a space that gives you something different from the usual lineup. Worth stopping in.

They hold some really cool-looking tasting events, so if that’s your jam be sure to keep your eye out for those.

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