New business coming to the Springs: Rudy’s BBQ

December 15, 2009 By
Image from Bob B. Brown on Flickr

Image from Bob B. Brown on Flickr

Have you heard the news? Colorado Springs (or more specifically, Old Colorado City) is getting a real barbecue straight out of the heart of Texas – according to the Colorado Springs Business Journal, Rudy’s Bar-B-Q is coming to town!

When we first saw a Rudy’s Bar-B-Q location in Texas, it seemed a bit odd. The combination of gas stations + restaurants doesn’t usually make for spectacular food, but in this case, the combination works. It’s hugely popular in central Texas, and in recent years has expanded to have locations in New Mexico and Oklahoma.

The Rudy’s in Old Colorado City will be joining two other popular barbecue spots in that part of town: Front Range Barbecue and Firehouse Barbecue. Rudy’s is slated to open in late spring or early summer of 2010.

Do you have a favorite barbecue joint in Colorado Springs? We’d love to hear in the comments!

Things to do this weekend in Colorado Springs!

May 22, 2009 By
Downtown Old Colorado City

Downtown Old Colorado City

The weather might be fickle this weekend (here’s the forecast), but if it rains, it usually doesn’t rain very long, so that’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend festivities in Colorado Springs.

The biggest event is probably the Territory Days festival in Old Colorado City.  It’s a street festival that celebrates Old Colorado City’s history as the first territorial capital of the state of Colorado.  There’s over 200 booths with crafts and food, and live music all day!

If you go, plan to park and walk a few blocks – it’s on-street parking and it fills up fast.  You can also just park at Coronado High School (1590 West Fillmore) and ride the free shuttle to downtown Old Colorado City.

Here’s the schedule of events for the stage at Bancroft Park from the Gazette:

Saturday, May 23

  • 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Flying W Wranglers (singing cowboys)
  • 2-2:40 p.m.: Trent Tomlinson (country)
  • 3-4:30 p.m.: Phat Daddy (pop and rock covers)
  • 4:45-5:45 p.m.: Aria Tari (hard rock)
  • 6-7 p.m.: Nigel Bird Trio (alternative pop)

Sunday, May 24

  • 9:30-11 a.m.: Cowboy church service
  • 11 a.m.: Side Kickers Gold Rush Show (dancers)
  • Noon: Fast Draw competition
  • 1 p.m.: Jerry Brown and the CW Wranglers (classic country)
  • 3 p.m.: Fast Draw competition finals
  • 4-5 p.m.: Eli Young (country)
  • 6-7 p.m.: Two New Shoes (acoustic rock)

Monday, May 25

  • 10 a.m.: Mas Tequila (classic and modern rock)
  • 11:15 a.m.: 6035 (classic rock)
  • 12:30 p.m.: Nocturnal Tomatoes (original rock)
  • 1:45 p.m.: Time Machine
  • 3 p.m.: Dave Tamkin (soft rock)
  • 4:45 p.m.: Jake Loggins Band (blues)

There will also be street entertainment from Brule, a contemporary Native American group, and Darren Curtis Skanson, a classical guitarist, as well as balloons, face painting, gun fighters, pony rides, and more.  Festivals in Old Colorado City are top notch!

This weekend also marks the opening of the Uncle Wilbur fountain in Acacia Park.  Earlier this year it wasn’t going to open due to budget cuts, but a donor stepped up and donated the funds to open it so children of all ages can enjoy its cooling spray.  They’ll be selling food and beverages to help raise money to keep the fountain running all summer.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Christmas Events Roundup: December 1-7

December 2, 2008 By

Lots of parades and everything else going on this weekend!  I’m going to stick to posting about the free/nearly-free events and Christmas open houses.

  • Woodland Park is holding its annual Lighter Side of Christmas parade on Saturday, December 6th at 6 PM in downtown Woodland Park.  The theme this year is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and benefits Habitat for Humanity.  The parade will be followed by the tree lighting ceremony and some live music.
  • The Colorado Springs Festival of Lights parade is also on Saturday, December 6th at 5:50 PM in downtown Colorado Springs.
  • You can eat breakfast with Santa on Saturday the 6th in Old Colorado City from 8 AM to 11 AM.  It’s $3 for kids and $5 for adults.  Free pictures with Santa are from 12 PM to 5 PM in Bancroft Park.
  • The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum will be hosting a free Children’s Holiday Magic Celebration on Saturday, December 6th from 10 AM until the Festival of Lights Parade in the evening.  There will be live music, a magician, a model train display, and more.
  • Monument is hosting a Small Town Christmas on Saturday, December 6th from 10 AM to 2 PM.  Lots of merchants will be holding open house-type events with refreshments and fun activities for the kids.
  • The cadet choir from the Air Force Academy will also be performing Handel’s Messiah on Friday, December 5th at 7:30 PM at the Protestant Cadet Chapel.
  • Village Seven Presbyterian Church will also be presenting Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 7th at 5 PM.  No charge for admission.
  • Six Woodland Park homes are open for touring on Saturday the 6th (10 AM – 4 PM) and Sunday the 7th (12 PM to 4 PM).  Tickets for the 10th Annual Holiday Home Tour are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.  Here’s more info and a tour map.  Proceeds benefit the Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center.
  • The 14th Annual Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour, benefiting the Old Colorado City Historical Society, is Sunday the 7th from 2-6 PM.  Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

You should also know…

On-street parking in downtown Colorado Springs is free for the first three weekends in December and in Old Colorado City there’s free parking every weekend in December!  Happy shopping!

Upcoming Holiday Home Tours and Events

November 17, 2008 By

Image from J. Walker Photography via Flickr

I’m on the lookout for holiday home tours and other Christmas events!  Here’s the two open house tours I’ve found so far:

  • The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is hosting their fourth annual historic homes holiday tour this Friday and Saturday, November 21-22.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  (I think I’m going to go to this one.)
  • Select bed and breakfasts in Old Colorado City will be open on December 7th for the 14th annual holiday bed and breakfast tour.  Tickets are $10 if you purchase by December 5th, or $15 at the door.

Also, the Broadmoor hotel will be holding their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 29th at 5:30 PM.  Lots of other free events taking place on the hotel grounds that weekend, too – here’s a PDF of the schedule.

I know there’s tons of other parades, Christmas light displays, and other events going on, so I’ll try to keep posting them as I get info.

Scarecrow Days and The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off in OCC

October 10, 2008 By


There’s something about Old Colorado City – somehow the leaves are prettier, the snow is prettier, and the flowers are more vibrant on Colorado Avenue than anywhere else in the city. It’s the place I love to go to “shop”, which basically means looking in store windows and fingering expensive goods. It’s the type of shopping that women love and men will never understand. :)


Last weekend was their annual Great Pumpkin Weigh Off and Scarecrow Festival. I don’t think we grow quite as big of pumpkins as they do some places, but this guy weighed 832 lbs, as I recall.

Here’s a few more images from the day.