DISPATCH #2 · TUE, JUNE 23, 2026 · NoCo · TUE HIGH 84°
Postcard from NoCo
Hi NoCo families. The big one is back: the Greeley Stampede opens Wednesday with a carnival, a petting zoo, and a longhorn parade down the midway every evening at 6. Add the food truck rally tonight in Fort Collins and a lakeside concert in Windsor, and you have a full week. Oh, the places you'll actually go.
JP & Alexis
Where To This Week
THIS WEEK
Greeley Stampede — VARIES (lots is free; rodeo and concerts are ticketed)
Wed 6/24 thru 7/5 · Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley
The week's headliner. For families the heart of it is the Kids Korral: a petting zoo, face painting, the Sheep Stampede, and a longhorn parade down the midway every evening at 6. Add the carnival (wristbands at the box office), free Park Stage music, and a demolition derby, and you can make a whole day of it. The rodeo and the SuperStars concerts are ticketed if you want the big nights. Details →
FoCo Food Truck Rally — FREE
Tue 6/23 · 5:30pm to dusk · City Park, Fort Collins
A rotating lineup of trucks and free live music. Grab dinner, let the kids run, skip cooking on a Tuesday. Details →
Kids on the Plaza: Dance Party — FREE
Wed 6/23 · 12pm to 2pm · The Foundry, downtown Loveland
Splash pad, lawn games, and crafts every Wednesday all summer. The reliable downtown reset for a hot afternoon. Details →
Windsor Summer Concert: Chelsey Webb — FREE
Thu 6/25 · 6:30pm to 8:30pm · Boardwalk Park, Windsor
Live music and food trucks by the lake. Pack a blanket and let the kids dance it out before bed. Details →
Lagoon Concert Series — FREE
Wed 6/24 · 6:30pm · Lory Student Center West Lawn, CSU, Fort Collins
Country, rock, pop, and funk on the lawn on a warm night. Spread a blanket and let the kids wear themselves out. Details →
Marshmallow Making for Kids — $20 per child (tickets required)
Wed 6/24 · 2:30pm · Orion's Apothecary, Loveland
Kids learn to make marshmallows the old-fashioned way, then take a batch home. A small, hands-on win for a hot afternoon. Details →
Glow Swim Nights at Winona Pool — Under 2 free, $3.50 to $7 otherwise
Thu 6/25 · 8pm · Winona Outdoor Pool, Chilson Center, Loveland
A late-night swim under the stars with music, glow sticks, and concessions. The rare plan that might actually tire them out before bed. Details →
THIS WEEKEND
Greeley Friday Fest — FREE
Fri 6/26 · 6pm to 10pm · 9th Street Plaza, downtown Greeley
Greeley's weekly street party, this week with 2MX2 on stage. Live music, food vendors, and a kids zone. Details →
Movies in the Park: GOAT — FREE
Fri 6/26 · at dusk · Lakeview Park, Severance
A free outdoor movie under the stars (this week's pick is rated PG). Bring blankets, chairs, and a kid who can make it to the credits. Details →
Larimer County Farmers' Market — FREE
Sat 6/27 · 9am to 1pm · 200 W Oak St, Old Town Fort Collins
The marquee market, turning 50 this year. Peaches, kettle corn, and a stroller-friendly morning. Details →
Music on the Lawn at Foothills — FREE
Fri 6/26 · 6pm · Foothills Mall East Lawn, Fort Collins
Live local music every Friday alongside the FoCo Vintage Market. Grab a lawn chair and dinner from the trucks. Details →
Movie on the Lawn: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids — FREE
Sat 6/27 · 8pm · The Hub at Kinston, Centerra, Loveland
An outdoor family movie night on the lawn. Bring chairs, blankets, and your favorite people. Details →
Kids Summer Solstice Arts & Crafts — $20 per child (register ahead)
Sat 6/27 · 4pm · Bath Garden Center, Fort Collins
Flower crowns, a solstice spirit stick, and nature weaving for ages 4 to 10. Details →
Pollinator Palooza — FREE
Sat 6/27 · 11am · Mountain Roots Gardens, Milliken
An all-ages garden festival with a scavenger hunt, crafts, plant specials, and raffles.
Details →
NoCo Regulars
Markets and story times you can count on: Loveland Farmers' Market (Sun) · Greeley Summer Market (Sat) · The Berthoud Market (Sat) · Fort Collins Farmers' Market (Sun & Wed) · Loveland Library Baby & Toddler Storytime (Tue).
Local Business Spotlight: FeelLove Coffee Loveland
FeelLove Coffee, downtown Loveland (@feellovecoffeeloveland)
The space alone is worth the stop: an ornate, light-filled room in the heart of downtown Loveland, a couple blocks from the Foundry where Kids on the Plaza happens. FeelLove pairs handcrafted espresso and organic loose-leaf teas with a French bakery and a scratch kitchen, and the all-day breakfast and brunch runs vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly, which covers most of the dietary curveballs a family can throw. Our standing order is the Van Gogh latte while the kids enjoy their cups of hot chocolate. Open every day, 7am to 5pm. Come make a morning of downtown Loveland.
Community Corner
We are on a long, happy tour of NoCo coffee (Lima last week, FeelLove this week). Who should we visit next? Hit reply with your favorite local shop. We read every single one.
Got a family event on your radar? Add it at theplacesno.co/submit-event and it might land in an upcoming dispatch.
That's the week, NoCo. A real thank you to everyone who has subscribed or followed along since our first issue, we are so glad you found us. Know a parent who needs a plan? Forward this their way.
Be the parent who somehow always knows about this stuff.
JP & Alexis
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