“Poundcake Rock” Was Almost on the Map—Literally

May 23, 2025

Happy Memorial Day Weekend DougCo! Congrats to Scileppi’s who took the podium for best pizza in Douglas County. But Parry’s and Nicolo’s were just behind, so we have plenty of favorites out there! We have some great events across the county and also some great Memorial Weekend events across Denver. Also, we highlight a Highlands Ranch favorite as well as a history break (thanks for the suggestion Carly!). And don’t miss a chance to enter for the giveaway in this issue! Last chance

In today’s DougCo Download:

• Book a reservation at Old Blinking Light this weekend!

• Did we miss out on Poundcake Rock?

• Gift Card Giveaway ends Sunday!

• Music, Memorial Weekend Festivals, and more this weekend!

Let’s get into it.

Foodie Friday

Old Blinking Light: A Southwest-Inspired Gem in Highlands Ranch

This one is right down the street from us in Highlands Ranch Town Center, Old Blinking Light offers a vibrant mix of Southwestern flavor and Colorado hospitality. Inspired by a historic Taos intersection, the restaurant has become a local favorite for its bold cuisine, inviting atmosphere, and warm community feel.

The menu showcases New Mexican-style classics like stacked enchiladas, pork carnitas, and the fan-favorite green chile cheeseburger. Everything is made from scratch, with Executive Chef Joseph Saenz leading a kitchen that focuses on fresh ingredients, seasonal specials, and rich regional flavors.

Beyond the food, they have great handcrafted margaritas, local brews, and a cozy patio with mountain views—making it the perfect spot for brunch, dinner, or happy hour with friends.

Whether you're a longtime local or visiting for the first time, Old Blinking Light is a Highlands Ranch staple that lives up to its name—guiding people together with great food and genuine hospitality.

📍 9344 Dorchester St, Highlands Ranch | oldblinkinglight.com

DougCo Through the Years

Castle Rock Almost Became “Poundcake Rock”

Before Castle Rock got its iconic name, explorer and Civil War general John C. Frémont dubbed the town’s famous butte “Poundcake Rock” during his 1843 expedition. Inspired by its circular, flat-topped shape—and perhaps influenced by hunger—Frémont’s team gave it the nickname while mapping the West. Though the name didn’t stick, it remained in early records until 1858, when gold-seeker David Kellogg’s expedition renamed the landmark “Castle Rock.” The town was officially incorporated in 1880, and “Poundcake Rock” became a quirky footnote in local history. Check out other cool stories at the Town of Castle Rock Facebook.

DougCo Weekly Giveaway

This Giveaway ends Sunday, May 25 at noon MST.

You can send in a submission by doing the following:

• Answer a poll hidden in one of the weeks issues

• Connect with our social accounts and submit your newsletter subscriber email to a a form I have posted on our instagram and facebook account!

All of these will count as individual submissions. And make sure the emails you submit on Facebook and Instagram forms are the same that are signed up here because this giveaway is just meant as a benefit to subscribers, not social media treasure hunters so any non subscriber emails submissions will not count.

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Local Events This Weekend

This section includes only the major events happening soon. We will feature the events for next week in the Monday Issue. But first, let’s do the weekend right.

Family Fun

Rock the Mountain at the Outlets at Castle Rock
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Family Fun Fridays) | 🕒 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Live Music)
📍 Outlets at Castle Rock – East 4th Street Courtyard (next to H&M)

Enjoy free kid-friendly activities from 12–2 PM, followed by live music with Aleik Maddox from 3–6 PM. Fun for all ages!

Tea at the Castle
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia

Enjoy an elegant afternoon tea in a stunning castle setting, complete with beautiful views and classic refreshments. Reservations required.

🎶 Hot Boots Duo Live
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕒 3:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Outlets at Castle Rock
💲 Free

Live music, shopping, and summer vibes! Part of the Rock the Mountain series.
👉 More info

🎶 Backyard Beats: Love Local
📅 May 24 | 🕔 5:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Sweetwater Park, Lone Tree
💲 Free

Kick off summer with live music from Larger Than Life, food trucks, kids activities, and local fun!
Note: Event is May 24, not June as previously listed.

Parker Sunday Market
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕗 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 19565 Mainstreet, Parker, CO

Start your Sunday at Parker’s busiest market with 100+ vendors offering local produce, meats, dairy, food trucks, art, and more. Open weekly from Mother’s Day through Halloween.

Festival Park Farmers Market
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock, CO
💲 Free Admission

Kick off the season with nearly 40 vendors offering fresh produce, locally raised meats, farm eggs, baked goods, and artisan products. Support local farmers and enjoy community vibes every Sunday through mid-October.

Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Highlands Ranch Town Center

Celebrate Colorado’s harvest with fresh produce, local goods, and farm-to-table flavors. Meet local farmers and enjoy food and community every Sunday through October 26.

🎶 Kyle O’Brien Live
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕒 3:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Outlets at Castle Rock
💲 Free

Live music, shopping, and summer vibes! Part of the Rock the Mountain series.
👉 More info

Adult Events

🎶 Firing Line
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Prost Biergarten, Highlands Ranch

Enjoy live music from Firing Line while you sip and socialize!

🎶 Sinatra Tribute Show
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Cherokee Ranch, Sedalia

Enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless music of Frank Sinatra.

🎶 Kenny Perkins
🗓️ Friday, May 23, 2025 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Pines Bar and Grill, Castle Rock, CO

Catch Kenny Perkins live every Friday at 6 PM!

🎶 Jeff Goodwin and the Front Range Cowboys
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia

Enjoy a night of Colorado country music with Jeff Goodwin and the Front Range Cowboys. $5 Cover Charge.

🎶 Jordan Yewey
📅 Friday, May 23 | 🕗 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Sinners & Saints, Castle Rock

Experience the divine sound of Jordan Yewey live at The Altar stage every Friday night.

🎶 The Tony Luke Band
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕔 5:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Prost Biergarten, Highlands Ranch

Enjoy a great evening of beer, bites, and live tunes from The Tony Luke Band on the patio. Prost!

🎶 Hatrick Live
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕕 6:00 – 9:00 PM
📍 Max Taps Co., Highlands Ranch

Catch Hatrick live for an evening of great music, craft beers, and good vibes.

🎶 Kenny Perkins
🗓️ Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Pines Bar and Grill, Castle Rock, CO

Catch Kenny Perkins live every Saturday at 6 PM!

Open Mic Night at Lone Tree Brewing
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕕 6:00 – 9:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree

Join host Lindsey Giffey for a fun night of music and comedy! All equipment provided, and performers get a special discount on their beer tab. Come share your talent or enjoy the show!

🎶 Live Music at 105 West Brewing
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕡 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 105 West Brewing, Castle Rock

Enjoy live tunes from Jax Jordening while sipping on your favorite brews. Also a PAWS Fundraiser taking place all day!

Saturday Night Music Bingo
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Lone Tree Brewing Company — Parker

Join Good Thomas’ Entertainment for a fun night of interactive music bingo! Listen to clips, mark your card, and shout “BINGO” to win prizes. All skill levels welcome.

🎶 Generation Jukebox
📅 Sat, May 24 | 🕖 7–10:30 PM
📍 Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia, CO

Enjoy hits from the ’50s through today with Generation Jukebox! $5 cover.

Rescue Puppy Yoga
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Living the Dream Brewing, Highlands Ranch

Stretch, breathe, and play with adorable rescue puppies in this fun, relaxing yoga session. A perfect way to start your Sunday!

🎶 The Hip Replacements
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕐 1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Prost Biergarten, Highlands Ranch

Enjoy an afternoon of great tunes and cold brews with The Hip Replacements from Denver!

🎶 David Chappa
📅 Sun, May 25 | 🕝 2:30–5:30 PM
📍 105 West Brewing, Castle Rock

Enjoy live music from David Chappa while you sip on your favorite brews.

🏙️Outside DougCo🏔️

Family Fun Free Days at Four Mile Historic Park
📅 May 23 & 24 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 715 S. Forest St., Denver, CO

Celebrate community and Native American heritage with Indigenous vendors, educational activities, and all-day free admission. Fun for all ages in a beautiful historic setting!

Memorial Weekend Festival – Old South Gaylord Street
📅 May 24–26 | 📍 1000 block of Old South Gaylord St., Denver

Celebrate Memorial Weekend with 3 days of live music, food trucks, drinks, and local vendors!

Denver Arts Festival – Celebrating 26 Years
📅 Memorial Day Weekend
📍 Conservatory Green, Central Park (formerly Stapleton)

Discover one of the nation’s premier fine arts and crafts festivals, showcasing top talent from Colorado and beyond. Enjoy stunning works from over 100 juried artists in a vibrant, upscale community setting.

Free and family-friendly — a must-see for art lovers this Memorial Weekend!

Weather 

Friday, May 23: 84° / 50° 🌤 | 10% chance of precipitation | 💨 WSW 10–15 mph
Saturday, May 24: 69° / 51° 🌧 | 60% chance of precipitation | 💨 NE 10–20 mph
Sunday, May 25: 62° / 46° 🌦 | 70% chance of precipitation | 💨 ESE 10–15 mph

Have a tip, event, or story? Let us know!
We’re always looking for local gems, events, and stories to share. Whether it’s your favorite hiking trail, a community event, or just a great photo of your pup, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Email us anytime at [email protected].
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