Ambling & Rambling: What’s happening in Greeley, Weld and Farther Afield in April 2024
By Emily Kemme
I’m excited to share that there is one—just one—orange crocus in my garden. It popped up from the depths of the earth overnight, a testament to the durable cycle of life and a nod to spring. But, it’s amazing how one little blossom can help a person throw off the winter blues. Let’s jump into April with both feet and see how much fun there is to be had around Greeley, Weld County and—this month—outer space.
Do Tell! —7 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at Hensel Phelps Theater in Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., Greeley
Do Tell! A Special Evening of Storytelling features six people with local connections. Photo from Facebook.
The Greeley Creative District presents its 8th edition of a special storytelling evening featuring six people with local connections.
Each storyteller plumbs their hearts’ depths and shares life paths they have walked. The resulting oral stories broach ideas and experiences that contribute to a wider understanding of the human condition. Speakers include:
Dr. Karen Barton, a Fulbright Scholar, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and author of “Africa’s Joola Shipwreck: Causes and Consequences of a Humanitarian Disaster,” a true story of maritime tragedy.
Susan Bromley, a social worker, professor of psychology and clinical psychologist tells her journey of motherhood, loss and how she recaptured her identity as a mom and grandma.
Dana Buckingham, an illustrator, art teacher and mother, explains how a wilderness experience in remote Alaska taught her resilience during a difficult time in her life.
Travis Krause, an artist and brain injury survivor, tells a story of adversity and beauty and how that guides his art and teaching career.
Dr. Melanie Peffer, a science and children’s book author and biologist, talks about pregnancy loss and the emotional decision to try again—a symbol of hope and promise known as having a “rainbow baby.”
Luluya Tekle, a poet and the student body president at Greeley Central High School, explains how her name, meaning “Pearl in Sea,” provides cultural and career direction and ties to her roots as a Black woman.
A dessert reception with the speakers follows the event.
Tickets are $33 and include the reception. Buy yours here.
WeldWerks Nine-Year Birthday Bash — April 5-7 | WeldWerks Brewing Co. | 508 8th Ave., Greeley
WeldWerks Nine-Year Birthday Bash. Photo from Facebook.
When WeldWerks Brewing throws a party, they go large, evidenced by three days of events that include two releases of Medianoche, the brewery’s dark and sultry beauties, on draft and in bottles to-go; limited brewery tours on Saturday with owner and brewer Neil Fisher that take you into staff-only areas with a pint in hand; and from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, it’s time for brunch and beertails—the brewery version of lazy Sunday sippers. Of course, there’s food: Chef Tim Meador takes over WeldWerks’ kitchen all weekend long with a redux of some of his Tramp About food truck favorites like the sloppy ‘Po Boy and delectably juicy cubano.
For tour and brunch tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Colorado Pint Day — All day Wednesday, April 10 at your favorite local breweries (check brewery social media for exact event hours)
Springtime in Colorado means many things, but for craft brew lovers, buds in bloom means it’s the Colorado Brewers Guild’s annual fundraiser, Colorado Pint Day. Local artists compete to win the coveted right to design the year’s theme which is depicted on a collectible pint glass. This year, Ramblebine Brewing Company beertender Rhyan Montgomery’s design, “Spring Skiing and Pond Skimming!” graces the event’s glasses. Participating breweries donate $1 per each pint glass sold to the guild, a nonprofit trade organization for Colorado independent craft breweries.
The event is in-person only. Find the list of 232 participating breweries here to enjoy your favorite craft brew and get this year’s pint glass.
Santana Tribute Concert — 7 p.m. April 10 | Aims Community College | Miller Auditorium | 4901 W. 20th Street, Greeley
Free Santana Tribute Concert to take place at Aims Community College 4/10. Photo from Facebook.
Experience an evening of Santana classics showcasing 40 years of legendary generation defining reggae-rock fusion. The free tribute concert is performed by an ensemble of Aims music faculty and students and incorporates a multimedia presentation of student artwork, audio engineering and film production.
Voluntary donations for Arty’s Pantry are welcomed. The campus-wide pantry provides Aims students with food, personal hygiene products, school supplies and more. To donate securely, visit bit.ly/Santana2024.
Aims’ Clear Bag Policy will be enforced. For questions about the event, call 970-339-6388.
Taylor Swift Celebration — 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13 | LINC Library Innovation Center | 501 8th Ave., Greeley
Calling all Swifties! Join Taylor Swift fans to celebrate the pop-culture American singer and songwriter with an afternoon of making friendship bracelets and buttons, doing a scavenger hunt and playing trivia games. Selfie opportunities abound! There’s also a Taylor Swift Song Lyric BINGO game, so buff up your knowledge about the genre-jumping singer’s songbook.
Event presented by High Plains Library District. For tickets, click here.
Baby Animal Days at Centennial Village Museum — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |April 19, 20, 25 and 27
Centennial Village to host Baby Animal Days May 24 through August 31. Photo from Facebook.
On four days in April, Centennial Village Museum celebrates spring with its much-anticipated baby animal attraction. Centennial Village brings Weld County’s past alive in an 8-acre park where visitors can explore over 35 historical residences and businesses situated in beautiful gardens and prairie landscapes. Heritage farm animals play their own part (as themselves), with opportunities to pet and photograph newly hatched chicks and their chicken moms and dads, turkeys, lambs, goats, bunnies and Cinnamon the cow. Weather permitting, wagon rides are available on Saturdays.
Although the museum’s historical buildings are closed until the 2024 summer season, which runs from May 24-August 31, Baby Animal Days welcomes visitors to wander the village grounds.
Black & White Ball Lessons & Social Dancing — 6:30 p.m. April 19 | 1535 8th Ave., Greeley
Buff up your best dancing boots and come learn country swing and line dancing at Balance Movement Yoga Studio. The event, presented by Country KickUp, includes levels from beginner (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.), intermediate (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.) and welcomes advanced dancers, too. Country KickUp uses dancing to make a difference. Proceeds are used to support local Colorado nonprofits. The organization also offers online and private lessons and dance classes for couples and private parties. Cost: $15 per person. No preregister signup is required.
For more information: https://countrykickup.com/private-dance-lessons-classes/
Poudre River Trailathlon — 9 a.m. to noon April 27 | Poudre Learning Center | 8313 W. F. Street, Greeley
Celebrate Earth Day on the banks of the Poudre River by participating in a 3-hour family friendly event with outdoor activities, including walking, running, biking, climbing, fishing, archery, bird watching, art, whittling and a scavenger hunt. There are opportunities to explore exhibits and educational programs inside the Poudre Learning Center. The free event features prizes, booths, refreshments and participants receive beanies. For those who are unable to walk or bike independently, Cycling Without Age offers free trishaw rides to experience nature while comfortably seated on a bicycle seat built for two riders, propelled by a cyclist.
“Sponsorships allow us to make the Trailathlon a free event and encourage higher participation. We hope to reach youth that would not normally have access to these types of healthy activities,” Poudre River Trail Corridor executive director Barry Wilson said.
Greeley Eats — 5 to 8 p.m. April 30 UNC | University Center Rocky Mountain Grand Ballroom | 2101 10th Ave., Greeley
Come see what Greeley’s restaurants are stirring up at The Greeley Chamber of Commerce’s second annual celebration of Greeley Eats. The food trade show highlights Greeley’s vibrant culinary scene with a taste of what’s cooking.
Individual tickets are $25 for Chamber investors and $35 for non-investors. Don’t wait—tickets are $50 at the door.
Farther Afield: Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival — 1-5 p.m. April 28 | Pearl Street Mall in Downtown Boulder | 1333 Pearl St., Boulder
Boulder’s world-renowned Pearl Street Mall bursts with shopping, dining and entertainment venues. But for four hours on Saturday, April 28, the beautiful Tulip Fairy Queen is assisted by pint-sized fairies and elves to welcome spring in a parade around the Mall to “wake up the tulips,” planted yearly by the City of Boulder’s Parks and Recreation staff. The celebrated spring tradition includes live stage performances on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall, children’s activities and marveling at more than 15,000 tulips that make the Mall a magical place on Earth. Fairy or elf attire is encouraged.
The Tulip Fairy Queen leads parades from the front of the performance stage at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45 p.m. Many activities are free; there is a cost for face-painting and goods for sale.
Rain date: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024
Above and Beyond: — 11:29 a.m. to 1:54 p.m. April 8, 2024 “Great North American” Solar Eclipse | Centennial Park Library | 2227 23rd Ave., Greeley
Catch a partial viewing of a solar eclipse at Centennial Park Library April 8. Photo from Facebook.
Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between the sun and Earth and blocks the sun’s light, according to ilovesolareclipse.com. While solar eclipses happen every 18 months or so, they’re not always visible from Earth. The last time a total eclipse occurred that was viewable from the continental United States was 2017. Although Colorado isn’t in the path of totality this year (there are 13 states where that happens with this occurrence) partial viewing is likely.
According to nasascience.gov, the safe way to see a solar eclipse (and prevent severe, longterm eye damage from directly viewing the sun), handheld solar viewers or solar eclipse glasses are a necessity. The glasses also help you see the event better by filtering out harmful visible and invisible light spectra emitted from the sun, even though it’s totally or partially blocked by the moon.
Centennial Park Library invites anyone interested in observing this natural phenomenon to join them at 12:00 p.m. on April 8 in the Centennial Park Meeting Room for information and hands-on activities that teach about eclipses. Then head outside to experience the eclipse. Solar eclipse glasses are included with your ticket!