Roamin' the Range for Sept. 2012: What's happening this month

Say farewell to summer and hello to Fall with a whole range of events this month.

Labor Day weekend offers a full schedule
The opportunities to get out and about abound from Red Feather Lakes to Old Town Square during the first weekend of the month. The Red Feather Lakes Library Book Sale starts on Thursday, Aug. 30, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 1. Saturday is “Fire Day” in Red Feather, with two parades, a craft show and bake sale in the fire barn, fire truck rides, barbecue lunch, veterans’ celebration, live bands in the park and bingo. Sunday features the Lion’s Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Property Owners’ Building, and a craft show in Crystal Lakes 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday brings another pancake breakfast at Glacier View Gate 8, 7-11 a.m. Info: 970-881-2664.

The ever-popular Tour de Fat costumed bike parade and event starts and ends at Civic Center Park at LaPorte and Howes in Fort Collins on Saturday, 9 a.m. parade registration, 10 a.m. parade; music starts at 11 a.m., bike trade at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, the event benefits the Fort Collins Bike Coop and Bike Fort Collins. Info: newbelgium.com.

Sunday brings the much-anticipated Rist Canyon Mountain Festival and 17th annual Richard Schmid Art Auction, the major fundraiser for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. The High Park Fire spared the meadow on Larimer County Road 52E where the event is always held, so the festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and go till 4 p.m. The live auction starts at 1 p.m., and this year, to help support the volunteers who worked so hard this summer, many of the artists have agreed to donate 100 percent of their sales to the department. Free admission and parking, used book sale, bake sales, craft market, silent auction, food, music, vintage car show, fun stuff for kids. Info: 970-482-6912 or richardschmidauction.com/index.html.

If you can’t make it up the canyon Sunday, catch a free magic show in Fort Collins Old Town Square at 2 p.m. Young magicians from around the state astound kids of all ages. Sponsored by The Presto-Digitators, Ring 250 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, which will also present a Big Show of wonder and amazement at the Lincoln Center on Sept. 8 as the big finale to the 19th annual Magic in the Rockies convention. Tickets are $7, $12, & $25, available at the Lincoln Center box office. Info: 970-484-7014, [email protected].

Historic Homes Tour celebrates City Park centennial
Fort Collins’ City Park and its 100-year anniversary is the focus of the 28th annual Poudre Landmarks Foundation Historic Homes Tour, Sept. 7 and 8.

“Evening at the Park: 1912” is a catered Friday night block party, from 5-8 p.m., that features three historic homes overlooking the park, exhibits, music, dancing and silent auction, $40 per person; “All Around City Park,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, offers tours of six additional historic homes and the option to visit eight restored Airstream travel trailers for an additional fee. Saturday tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of tour; both events for $55. Ticketholders may see the Airstreams for an extra $5; admission without the tour is $10. Tickets are available at the Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave.; Fort Collins Nursery, 212 E. Mulberry St.; other locations in Old Town; or through PayPal at poudrelandmarks.org.

Proceeds help support preservation of the Avery House Historic District and the original Fort Collins Water Works on Overland Trail near LaPorte. Info: 970-221-0533, www.poudrelandmarks.org.

Film, TV and live theatre on tap Sept. 7-9
You may remember him from “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” but actor Cary Elwes will be in Fort Collins to open the seventh annual TriMedia Film Festival with a serious new film. After the 7:30 p.m. screening at Lincoln Center of “The Citizen,” based on the experiences of an Arab immigrant who arrived in New York City the day before 9/11, Elwes and producer Sam Kadi will discuss the film. The festival will continue throughout the weekend in three venues around Fort Collins showcasing work in film, TV and live theater by established and new artists from Colorado and around the world. Individual tickets and festival passes available at trimediafestival.org. Info: [email protected].

Treasure hunt highlight of Wellington’s Harvest Day
Sept. 8 is Harvest Day in Wellington’s Centennial Park, which will be filled with a craft show, farmer’s market, live entertainment, tractor show, and more, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Movie in the Park — with cartoons — at 7:30 p.m. Whoever is clever enough to solve all the clues in the Town’s Treasure hunt and retrieve the hidden medallion will be awarded a $100 cash prize during Harvest Day. Clues will be posted by 9 a.m. on Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the Wellington CAC Facebook page and Twitter account (@CACWellingtonCO) as well as on the Wellington Chamber of Commerce website at wellingtoncoloradochamber.net Info: 970-568-3381, ext. 49.

Sustainable Living Fair features green building ideas
Among the 75 workshops offered at the 13th annual Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair Sept. 15 and 16 are a number that feature green building techniques, ideas that can be useful for anyone in the process of rebuilding a home after the High Park Fire. The fair also features presentations by experts in renewable energy and transportation, green living, natural healing and parenting, and eating and growing local food. Keynote speakers, exhibitors, hands-on experiences, live music and entertainment, Real Food Market and Local Libations –- world-class beer, wine, and mead —- are all part of the fair, which will take place at Fort Collins Legacy Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $8 per day, kids under 12 free. Alternative transportation encouraged. Info: sustainablelivingassociation.org.

Colorado’s first Disability Pride Parade on Sept. 29
Colorado State University professor and author Temple Grandin will be on hand to deliver the keynote address at the state’s first-ever Disability Pride Parade & Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Old Fort Collins Heritage Park. This will be only the fifth such event held in the world, according to sponsor Disabled Resource Services of Colorado.

Marchers will gather at noon at the Poudre River Public Library and head straight down College Avenue to Heritage Park, with a full police lighted escort and a marching band, at 1 p.m. At the park, enjoy food and drink as well as a concert by The Seers, Lee Holiday and the Time Off, and the Stone People Drummers and remarks by Grandin. There will also be merchandise from vendors and educational booths set up to increase public awareness of services available to persons with disabilities. Free admission and parking. Info: 970-449-6973, drsgrassrootsfest.org.