Free food, performances, a nighttime bike ride, a movie and, most importantly, community and family.
Folks will be basking in the good vibes Saturday, Sept. 16, at the 8th annual Montbello Alive! event, which is all about celebrating the neighborhood and the residents there that call Montbello home.
The event runs from 4-10 p.m. on the East Field of Parkfield Lake Park at the Montbello Recreation Center, 15555 E. 53rd Ave., with a long list of things to do, see and people to chat with.
More than 50 vendors will fill the field, including a "mobile museum" from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, dubbed the Curiosity Cruiser. Some booths will be offering resources and neighborhood information. At others, folks can play games with Colorado Changemakers Collective and potentially win some prizes in lotería.
A score of local artists will be performing on the festival stage from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., including Flat Out Jazz Trio, YG Ka$e, Cleopatra, TheyCallHimAP, Danae Simone and Kid Astronaut.
At 6 p.m., while the sun is setting, a group bike ride will kick off to enjoy the six-mile Walkable Loop. Before heading out, folks can stop by the Night Ride neon decorating station and safety check area.
To end the night, grab popcorn for a movie in the park -- they'll be showing "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
Attendees can also check out the Montbello Memory Mapping initiative, an interactive space where folks can listen to recorded histories of the neighborhood and speak with the storytellers.
Montbello Alive! is hosted by Montbello Organizing Committee in partnership with several neighborhood organizations including Struggle of Love Foundation, Montbello 2020 and Families Against Violent Acts.
Here's a list of some other community events happening this weekend, Sept. 16 and 17:
Multicultural Mosaic Festival 2023
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 1-6 p.m.
Location: 14232 E. Evans Ave., Aurora
Enjoy food and art from around the world at this festival focused on celebrating the diverse cultures across Colorado. The event is hosted by Multicultural Mosaic Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding and dialogue between different backgrounds and faiths.
The festival will feature different cuisines such as Turkish ice cream, doner kebabs and samsas, a savory pastry from Central Asia.
Hunger Free 303 Music Festival
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 1-10 p.m.
Location: 1041 S. Gaylord St., Denver
Head out to this benefit event to hear local bands and enjoy local vendors where 100% of the proceeds from food and beverage sales will go to Food Bank of the Rockies. Local artists include the Austin Young Band, Elyjah Tribe and a special performance from Flobots.
Colorado 4 Maui
Date: Sunday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora
Enjoy Polynesian, Samoan and Hawaiian cuisine, musical performances and culture all for a cause. Colorado 4 Maui is a benefit event where 100% of the profits will go toward vetted organizations assisting residents in Maui. Some of those organizations are the Maui Strong Fund, stewarded by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; the Maui Mutual Aid Fund and Maui Fire Department, stewarded by ʻĀina Momona.
Several NPHI food vendors from across Colorado will attend including No Ke Aloha, Sides of Aloha, The Rice Guy and Boulder's L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. There will also be craft vendors and local Colorado bands and dance groups performing including Hālau Kalama and Kalama Polynesian Dancers. The main performance will be from Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz.
There will also be a "Cultural Corner" where folks can take a Samoan spinning lesson, see a Tahitian drumming demonstration and learn Hula basics.
