For 96 years, Littleton residents have been holding a community celebration. This year’s Western Welcome Week is actually a 10-day fest, August 9 to 18, 2024. The 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:
Saddle up your stick horse for fun at Western Welcome Week. Image courtesy of Western Welcome Week.
Friday, August 9 — Concert & Laser Show with a FREE concert by The Denver Municipal Band at Sterne Park (5800 S. Spotswood St.) capped off by a 30-minute laser show choreographed to music at 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 — 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 10 — From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Sterne Park enjoy the music of The Long Run for FREE. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food trucks on-site.
Sunday, August 11 — 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, sausage, coffee, and juice is also at the park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $5 per person, available at the event; children 4 years and under free.
Sunday, August 11 — 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. FREE.
Tuesday, August 13 — 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.
Friday, August 16 — Quilt Show & Used Book Sale from noon to 6 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 17 — 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 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 18 — 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. Registration starts at noon and the race begins promptly at 1 p.m.
BONUS EVENT: Book lovers will want to check out the Bag of Books Sale at Bemis Library (6014 S. Datura St.). Each day of Western Welcome Week, you can stop by the library and buy a large reusable bag for $10 to fill to the brim with books and media from all genres. All proceeds go to the Friends of Littleton Library and Museum.