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Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs! From culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore, we’ve got it covered. Join us as we sip our coffee (or maybe something stronger) and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our fun, light-hearted, and always entertaining take on the quirks, hot topics, and insider tips will keep you coming back for more. Discover what’s really happening in the Springs—beyond the mountains and parks!
This week, we're recording from Pizzeria Leopold and serving up our October picks for Colorado Springs. We've got a farm that turns into a full on fall wonderland every weekend, a beer choir that you don't have to audition for, and, oh my goodness, so much more. And this episode is brought to you by the COS Airport and Vanguard Aesthetics. We could not love these sponsors more. We'll gush about them more later in the episode.
Carly Ries:But for now, go grab your flannel, get relaxed, and get ready to take some notes for all the awesome things coming out of Colorado Springs this month. Hey, everyone. I'm Carly. And I'm Lauren. We're two Colorado Springs locals who love uncovering everything that makes the city special.
Lauren Ferrara:If you're the kind of person who wants to
Carly Ries:know where to go, what's happening, and the stories behind it all, then you're in the right place. Welcome to Springs of Things, your insider's path to hidden gems, local flavor, and unexpected moments that make The Springs one of a kind. From secret spots and can't miss events to arts, eats, and those you've gotta hear about at Local Stories. We've got you covered. So grab your coffee, settle in, and get ready to fall a little more in love with Colorado Springs.
Carly Ries:Let's dive in to Springs and Things. Can I tell you a really weird connotation that I had with October the other day? Because I drove past a sign that said it, but I actually don't remember how they work.
Lauren Ferrara:You don't remember how signs work or how October works?
Carly Ries:No. That was a that was the cliffhanger for me to tell you. I saw a sign that said cakewalk. Cakewalk. Like Yeah.
Carly Ries:Like, I I remember being a kid, and it'd like October, you go to Halloween things, and, like, the elementary school would have, cakewalk. Yeah. But I don't remember how that works. What is it? Like, what do you do
Lauren Ferrara:during musical walk? Chairs but with cakes. Right?
Carly Ries:I think so. But right?
Lauren Ferrara:I haven't been to... Do do cakewalk still exist? Just because
Carly Ries:I saw the sign. Oh. Oh, promoting a cakewalk. Was that not clear?
Lauren Ferrara:I don't know. I was just like, oh, this is how... I mean, like, if a stop sign does stop, Carly, then you stop.
Carly Ries:Nothing like that. It was I literally saw a side promoting a cakewalk. Woah. I was like, oh my god. I wanna go.
Carly Ries:That makes me think a box cheaper.
Lauren Ferrara:This is on your list of cool things to do in October, or do you not remember anything about the sign except the cakewalk?
Carly Ries:I know what I remembered from the sign is I don't remember what cakewalks are, but I know that I associate them with October.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. But I feel like everybody got... Went home with a cake. Yeah. Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:Anyway, you just didn't know which cake you were gonna get. Oh, sneaky sneaky. Okay. We got it wrong.
Carly Ries:Can you guys I've never
Lauren Ferrara:seen Trisletches at a cakewalk, but we shouldn't have that.
Carly Ries:You guys, I have found out today. If it is Lauren's birthday, which is in September or any holiday or anything, get her a tres leches cake or else.
Lauren Ferrara:I dropped, like, four or five hints to my family. No, I solved the problem myself. For my my daughter's, like, for... Like, friend birthday party, I went to Whole Foods and got myself an... A bonus cake.
Carly Ries:I'll get you a huge free Monday streamer.
Lauren Ferrara:Bet you will.
Carly Ries:Actually, we haven't even celebrated your birthday yet even though it's, like, a month ago almost. Three weeks. So I'll bring you on it when we go somewhere.
Lauren Ferrara:Hear something crazy? So I'm 43. That is the same age as Alice Brady when the the Brady Bunch started. So Google Alex... Alice Brady at 43, and
Carly Ries:that's what 43 is.
Lauren Ferrara:Might be back.
Carly Ries:Real old, by the way. Well, you guys, so last week, we released the arts month episode, which I feel like could be, like, the October episode
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah.
Carly Ries:Because it's arts month, But there's also so many other things going on around town. And you guys, we... Obviously, there's pumpkin patches, and there's, like like, Halloween y stuff everywhere. I... But I don't think we're really gonna dabble on, like, all Halloween stuff.
Lauren Ferrara:There's a pumpkin patch and stuff. I mean, they're super cool, but like our kid, my kids are over
Carly Ries:it. Yeah, yeah,
Lauren Ferrara:you can find them anywhere all the time.
Carly Ries:I say that with the caveat I am going to touch on Minitucci. If I am also should we just talk about Minitucci?
Lauren Ferrara:So I'll do it.
Carly Ries:More of the story, right? This is our October pick. This is what we think is gonna be fun in October, things that we would like to go do in October. But, yeah, there's no better way to kick it off than talking about Medici Farm because, again, my other connotation are the pumpkins on Medici that I got in kindergarten, and we taught... We had a whole conversation with Nikki and Sam about Benettucci, but October is here.
Carly Ries:Okay. So for example, they are actually gonna have themed weekends. So, like, October tenth or eleventh, they have the great pumpkin weekend, they'll have, like, pumpkin beer, including, obviously, Bristol's Pinatucci pumpkin ale. They'll have guests with pumpkin weight, like Charlie Brown Meridian, like all these cute things. October seventeenth through eighteenth, they're doing scarecrows on flannel.
Carly Ries:So, like, come with your best flannel, walk scarecrow row, sip on an apple cider, like, all those things. October twenty fourth and twenty fifth is witches and wizards there. And so you kind of put two two together on what you dress up as there. So I can put two And then, obviously, October thirtieth and thirty first, it's costume party and pumpkin fest.
Lauren Ferrara:Okay. I was gonna ask. I was like, you haven't said pumpkin yet.
Carly Ries:It's trick or treating for kids and pups. So they just... I mean, I feel like they're... I mean, with the flowers and everything, they're made for summer, but, man, October is their time to shine. Yeah.
Carly Ries:They have lots going on. Okay. What's next on your list?
Lauren Ferrara:So next on my list is... I went to this last year, and it was super cool and fun, and kids loved it. I really enjoyed it too. It was Colorado Springs School Science Festival. It's sixteen days of STEAM events all over the place.
Lauren Ferrara:There's stuff for adults, teens, kids, and everything's free. Most events are free anyway. And some of these things have already happened because the the whole festival spans, like, many... Like, a couple weeks. But today, if you're listening to this on the day that it's released, there's this bats and cave tour at Cave Of The Winds Mountain Park.
Lauren Ferrara:There's also stuff going on at the planetarium at the Air Force Academy. Part of it is the, like, a caving day, boo at Bear Creek. Like, there's just so many cool things, and my kids are very into science these days. So check it out.
Carly Ries:And you guys will put the links and everything in our show notes just so you have it, the dates, all that jazz. Okay. Let's pause really quick so we could talk about our new sponsor.
Lauren Ferrara:So, Carla, you know this. I do a little happy dance every time I get to fly out of Colorado Springs.
Carly Ries:I know because I've seen it, and it... I mean, I love you, but it is not subtle.
Lauren Ferrara:But think about it. It's, like, minutes from your house. You park close to the terminal. Security takes, like, a couple minutes.
Carly Ries:Yeah. No. Seriously, I dropped my husband off a few weeks ago, and he called to tell me he was at his gate. And I'm not kidding. I hadn't even gotten to Powers yet when he said that.
Lauren Ferrara:Oh, I totally believe it. I get why their slogan is travel easy because it actually is so easy.
Carly Ries:So easy. And, oh my goodness, they have all those renovations that are... They're not done, but a lot of them are done. And it... I mean, this sounds like...
Carly Ries:And this is so me. We almost want to get there early. It's bright. It's clean. There are outlets everywhere, which is kinda like, And we'll...
Carly Ries:I think we'll share more of the... No. I think. I know we'll share more of the amenities over the next few weeks or even months, but they have that new lounge, and they have that the store with Amazon's just walk out technology. And I thought, like, I was doing something wrong, and I wasn't.
Carly Ries:And I paid, but it was so cool. Just so much.
Lauren Ferrara:You kinda look like you were stealing, Carl. Like, but But I wasn't. The bathrooms are so clean. I mean, you could eat off those floors. I mean, don't, but you could.
Carly Ries:You could. And I mean, hey, that's the endorsement right there.
Lauren Ferrara:Needless to say, check flights out at flycos.com. So many great routes to choose from. We are super fans. Okay. This sounds, like...
Lauren Ferrara:I'm, like, surprised I haven't heard of this thing coming up, the Folk and Flannel Festival, and I know this is gonna be something that you're gonna wanna do as well, because... Have you been to this or heard of it before?
Carly Ries:It's for Upadowner. Heard of it a million times because I love Upadowner. It's been on my radar radar the past two years, and I've been unable to attend.
Lauren Ferrara:Okay. Well, this one's at the Meanwhile block, which is super fun to go to anyway, and they're gonna have chili cook off, games, crafts, brews, and then it's supporting, you know, outdoor access for all. So also line dancing. I haven't done line dancing in a minute, and I'm I'm here for it. But, tickets are, like, free for kids 16, and then they're $40 for for adults, and that includes a beverage.
Lauren Ferrara:And I'm, like, pretty psyched about this one. Inflatable archery too, Carly. For me, that's much more approachable than normal archery.
Carly Ries:Yeah. I'm imagining it correctly.
Lauren Ferrara:I mean, like, so I don't know that we are imagining it correctly because I don't think we're just gonna have to go to check it out. I see us, like, basically throwing balloons and inflatables at each other, but
Carly Ries:I don't think
Lauren Ferrara:that's how it works.
Carly Ries:Yeah. Because you don't want to shoot arrows at an inflatable.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. That's not... Yeah. I don't know how it works, actually. We're gonna have
Carly Ries:to go. We're gonna have to go.
Lauren Ferrara:That's on the seventeenth.
Carly Ries:For numerous reasons, but specifically to figure out this inflatable artery situation, which we're definitely gonna Google if you're not already doing that right now. Okay. So my next thing... Let's see here. Okay.
Carly Ries:Lauren, can you tell our listeners your thoughts on the greatest showman?
Lauren Ferrara:I just looked at you blankly when you mentioned that. I had no idea what you were talking about
Carly Ries:because you've never seen The Greatest Showman. Seen it.
Lauren Ferrara:And you looked so disappointed. Like, you were assigned kind of What up? Pointed slash stuck.
Carly Ries:I was also really disappointed for another thing you said recently. Do you remember what that was?
Lauren Ferrara:I just disappointed you.
Carly Ries:There is something else. Oh, Savannah bananas. You didn't know what that is.
Lauren Ferrara:And I still don't.
Carly Ries:And the lead guy in Savannah bananas dances all the time to the greatest show. Okay. I have so much to
Lauren Ferrara:show you. Feel I like I just have, like, gaps in my, like, yeah, just knowledge about I'm sure
Carly Ries:I do too. But the reason why I bring up the greatest showman is because the Bristol Beer Choir is doing that. Actually, I think it started this past Sunday.
Lauren Ferrara:Say that again. Bristol Beer Choir.
Carly Ries:Did I just... That I speak in cursive?
Lauren Ferrara:No idea. It just sounds like not a real thing.
Carly Ries:Oh, no. It's a real thing. And they've already... And you know what? I already know my friend's mom just went through the last round.
Carly Ries:It is the cutest thing. So it's exactly like it sounds. It's at Bristol Brewery, and they rehearse from October 4 to November 15 at 06:30 to eight. And you go in, you sing, you don't need to audition, you know, there's no pressure. All voices are welcome, whether you've sung in choirs in the past or just wanna sing now.
Lauren Ferrara:Do they want me to sing? I I don't know if you heard me. I want you to sing. It's quite horrifying.
Carly Ries:And then at the end of head like, stop. Well, but you'll be surrounded by other people who probably came to sing.
Lauren Ferrara:Well, I just like mouth words anyway. Like, when you're, like, in a position where I'm expected to sing, which doesn't happen very often. Maybe this isn't for you. I'll go, like, like, go and watch other
Carly Ries:people sing. My friend actual talents. So my friend went and supported her mom at the last performance when they did the last round, and it was just the cutest thing. They posted the video, and they're gonna be performing the greatest showman at the end of all this, but they rehearse Sunday nights from now until, in November. And I just think that's the cutest thing.
Carly Ries:It's people all ages, again, all skill levels. Just a great way to build a community. Bristol, you done again.
Lauren Ferrara:That sounds super awesome. Okay. Halloween. Have you been to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center?
Carly Ries:No. I haven't.
Lauren Ferrara:So that was, like, on one of our... Last summer on my kids', like, summer bucket list. My little one is, like, super into wool, and it was really, really cool to see. And so they have something there where they give the wolves meat filled pumpkin followed by a bonfire and refreshment, and you do have to make reservations. But, yeah, my little one has...
Lauren Ferrara:She she is going to be a wolf for Halloween and already has her costume and everything. And she was like, I went to go wake her up for school the other day, and she's perched on her bed with her little wolf mask and her paws and her tail, and she's like being a wolf.
Carly Ries:Okay. Let's take a quick break to talk about our other amazing sponsors. As most of you know, Lauren and I love Vanguard Aesthetics right here in Colorado Springs. And if you're a Botox gal like Lauren, listen up. Throughout October, if you book a Juvederm filler treatment, you get twenty units of Botox for free.
Carly Ries:Like, for free. Smooth, refreshed, and still totally you. If that sounds like a deal, call or book online with Vanguard Aesthetics today. They're linked in our show notes. And next up, you guys grab your friends and your popcorn because the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival is back October sixteenth through the eighteenth at Colorado College, and it is the longest running women's film festival in North America with three days of documentaries, shorts, and stories by and about women.
Carly Ries:We go through every emotion when we attend, and the conversations after are even better. So go get your passes today. That link is in our show notes as well. And lastly, after all that sitting watching those amazing films, your body is going to want to move, and Core Collective is the place to do that. It is a reformer Pilates studio in Downtown Colorado Springs, and their instructors bring the burn and the fun.
Carly Ries:It doesn't matter if you're a total newbie or a former regular. You'll get a stronger core, better posture, and less stress, plus a crew that actually cheers you on. And if you use the code Springs and Things, all caps, no spaces at checkout, you'll get three classes for just $30 total. What a deal. Be sure to check them out.
Carly Ries:Okay. So, Lauren, I'm actually surprised that this wasn't one of yours. CC Tiger's.
Lauren Ferrara:Well, only because I've mentioned it in another episode, so I felt like I had already said it. Oh, that's right. That's actually... I'm in the episode that's coming out next week.
Carly Ries:Fair. Okay. But you are a season ticket holder. Sure. I know.
Carly Ries:I feel like I'm just being nostalgic in this episode. I was talking about the cakewalk. I was talking about something... Oh, Benicucci. CC as a kid, going to those hockey games, just the best feeling.
Carly Ries:You kinda walk around and look for your crush.
Lauren Ferrara:Well, yeah, I I don't walk around and look for my crush, but I do. Like, I love it so much because you see everybody. Like, everybody is there. So you, like, run into all your friends that you're not expecting to see on your way to get Josh and John's ice cream. During...
Lauren Ferrara:Also, one of my friends mentioned, like, oh, like, I texted him, and he was on the other side. He was like, I'll come find you during intermission. He was joking. I was like, they call it intermission. They don't
Carly Ries:call it halftime or quartertime or whatever. It's intermission.
Lauren Ferrara:I'm like, that sounds so fancy for a sporting event. So, obviously, I am very new to hockey.
Carly Ries:Well, that's so funny. I was talking to my husband. I was like, oh, I just love CC games, and I was talking about everything. And he goes, do you like the hockey?
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. My... Yeah. Yeah. I I like the ice cream and seeing people, and then the hockey is, like, also there, which is nice.
Carly Ries:A friend of mine asked me the other day. She was like, where do you stand with football? She's like, I'm a diehard football person. Where do you stand with that? And I'm like, I'm a cultural football person.
Carly Ries:Like, I like everything. I like it being on on Sundays. I like wearing my jersey. I like the being dim.
Lauren Ferrara:Had a... Like, I do not understand football at all. Like, I think my dad was Irish. Like, it just wasn't something that was part of our world. Like, I could tell you more about rugby than I could about football.
Lauren Ferrara:And, yeah, I know nothing.
Carly Ries:But I bring that with hockey too. Like, I I I just love hockey player.
Lauren Ferrara:I just love, like, live events. Live events are fun, and I like the, like, the crowd, and I like the promos on the, you know, like, the things going on on the screen on the Jumbotron. And, yeah, it's more about, like, the energy and not so much what is happening on the rink or the court or the field.
Carly Ries:So whether you're a hockey fan or not, DC hockey games are the place to be this fall.
Lauren Ferrara:Or you could just come and hang out with me and Carly. Yeah. Okay. So this is my last one. It is Edward Scissorhands.
Lauren Ferrara:That's a blast from the past, And the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. So I went when they... During the Jurassic Park where they, like, play along to the film. So the Philharmonic performs the score alongside Edward Scissorhands at the Pikes Peak Center, and that's actually Halloween weekend. So the thirtieth and the thirty thirty first.
Lauren Ferrara:So good date night post, post trick or treating or the day before. So that was pretty fun.
Carly Ries:So speaking of date night, I... And you were talking about Halloween weekend. We had an episode on this a few weeks ago. So if you're a consistent listener, forgive me for repeating something you've already heard. But the Manitou ghost tours would be...
Carly Ries:It's just such a fun date night. It's only Fridays and Saturdays, you guys, in October, and they have actors from dear to art who take you through that as you're, like, quote, unquote, spirit guides. And they're all historical stories that are are actually legends in Manitou, and they kinda take you to these spots. And it was so fun to get a preview of these. So if you're looking for, like, kind of a spooky...
Carly Ries:And it's not too spooky. They say it's family friendly, like, legit family friendly, but, like, a spooky date night or out... Night out with your friends. Or if you do wanna bring your kids, it it sounds... It's it's spooky, but also if you like history and myths and legends and lore, it's like your perfect night out, Fridays and Saturday nights in October.
Carly Ries:And I'll include that link in the show... All the links are in the show notes.
Lauren Ferrara:And... Okay. I do have one more. It's not like an event event, but if Fountain Valley School is something you're interested in checking out, we have it's called Experience FES. So you you go on the thirtieth, 08:30 to 12:30, and you get to, like, kind of be a student for a day, like, pop into classrooms and into the barn and see all the cool things, the climbing wall.
Lauren Ferrara:So, that you do have to preregister for, and we'll have that on on the links as well.
Carly Ries:Oh, and I also meant to mention that Peak Vista's Breakfast of Champions is also this month. It's Thursday, October 15 from seven to nine. It's over at the Brownmoor, and it's the twenty second annual signature fundraiser supporting uncompensated medical, dental, and behavioral health care for patients facing barriers. And their special guest this year is paralympic medalist, Oksana Masters. And the general public can still purchase tickets.
Carly Ries:I'll include that in the show notes as well, but I do wanna mention that. Well, Lauren, this is so fun. You guys, we haven't even mentioned this. We're recording for Pizzeria Leopold right now because we had back to back guests use it as their pick of the week, and you'd love it. And this is my first time coming here, and I ran into an old friend who works here, and I didn't even know that.
Carly Ries:So this is so fun. 10 out of 10. I think And,
Lauren Ferrara:yeah, we had the beet salad and the eggplant pizza, which was delicious. Also... Okay. So my pick of the week, this is amazing, but right before or afterwards, you should go down to Crankly Coffee. Name straight, just drive down, and their their fall menu is out, and they have some, like, really, really cool interesting drinks.
Carly Ries:Yep. So good. Well, listeners, as always, thank you so much for tuning in. You guys, we're past the one hundredth episode mark. It would mean the...
Carly Ries:I know. So for, a birthday present, is that a birthday? I don't know. That's birthday. A hundredth birthday?
Carly Ries:We turned a 100 episodes. We love that five star review. It really helps us build credibility and spread the word to other Colorado Springs locals. This episode with a friend, especially one that you'd wanna bring to one of these events, and subscribe to our show on Apple or Spotify. And we'll see you next week on Springs and Things.