For 93 years, Littleton residents have been holding a community celebration. This year’s Western Welcome Week is actually a 10-day fest, August 12 to 21. The 2022 event schedule is jam-packed spanning more than 40 events from a fishing derby to a hometown pig roast benefiting dozens of local nonprofits. Some highlights for true cheapskates:
Friday, August 12 — Music & Fireworks with a FREE concert by The Denver Municipal Band at Sterne Park (5800 S. Spotswood St.) capped off by fireworks at 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 — Go gold panning on the Platte. Equipment and instruction provided for this FREE event from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at South Platte Park (3000 W. Carson Dr.). From 10 a.m. to noon, kids can test their angling skills at the Little Elks Fishing Derby at Geneva Park Lake (2255 W. Berry Ave.)
Saturday August 13 — From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. enjoy the hard-swingin’ honky-tonk of the Cowboy Dave Band for FREE. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food trucks on-site.
Sunday, August 14 — Play all sorts of games of old at Geneva Park for FREE from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Includes panning for gold & gems, bubble blowing, apple dash, tic tac toe, sack race, cactus toss, marble race, water shoot, and more. A Pancake Breakfast with pancakes, Polidori sausage, coffee, and juice is also at the park from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person, available at the event; children 4 years and under free.
Sunday, August 14 — Custom Car Show at the Littleton Elks Lodge (5749 S. Curtice) featuring local hot rods and custom rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, August 16 — Kick up your heels at RiverPointe Swing Dance, featuring a FREE concert by Zing: The Great Big Band and dancing under the stars from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 5225 S. Prince St.
Thursday, August 18 — Enjoy Darren Curtis Skanson and Gregg Hansen during a FREE outdoor concert at Bemis Library from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, August 19 — Quilt Show & Used Book Sale from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton (1609 W. Littleton Blvd.). More than 100 antique, vintage and new quilts on display, as well as demonstrations.
Saturday, August 20 — Festival Day along Main & Prince Streets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Includes Grand Parade (starts at 10 a.m.), crafts & home improvement fair and more. Arcade bus and games at the Littleton Elks Lodge from noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 21 — Duck Race at the Little’s Creek Bridge at Sterne Park (5804 S. Bemis St.). Cheer on the ducks as they race down Little’s Creek towards the Prince Street bridge. Regsitration starts at noon and the race begins around 1 p.m.