Things to do in Pueblo this weekend: Rollercoaster and train rides, Pride and Riverfest

Friday, Aug. 16

Free rollercoaster rides at The Rides at City Park

3425 Nuckolls Ave. | 5-9 p.m. | Join Pueblo Parks & Recreation for Rollercoaster Night with free rollercoaster rides and 25 cents for all other rides .

Art talk and live music at Blo Back Gallery

131 Spring St. | 5:15-6:15 p.m. for artists talk, 7 p.m. for live music | Join artists Adam Toksoz and Kimberly Sewell for a talk about what inspires them. Followed by music from "Some Guy Named Robb," award-winning singer-songwriter, Robb McCormick, who will perform a blend of indie folk-rock music with hints of blues, reggae, and even punk. Cost is $10 or donations at the door . Open to all ages.

Art After Hours at Sangre de Cristo Arts Center

210 N. Santa Fe Ave. | 6-7 p.m. | Join Elise Olson for Empress Gin, a floral and colorful gin and a few selections of works from the permanent collection.

Saturday, Aug. 17

Train rides at Pueblo Railway Museum

132 W. B St. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Pueblo Railway Museum will host train rides at a cost of $15 for a ride in the engine, $10 for one of three cabooses, or free for children ages 2 and younger . Payment by cash or check only. Tickets are available in the gift shop, a converted caboose behind the depot near the passenger boarding area. Trains depart every 20 minutes. Hot dogs, chips, popcorn, snow cones and drinks will be available for a small donation .

Car show at Rock Canyon Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center

2515 Pitman Place | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The event will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County. Cars and spectators are admitted free of charge . All makes, models and years are welcome. The event will include live music, a bounce house, food and a 50/50 raffle .

Riverfest at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk

101 S. Union Ave. | noon-10 p.m. | The event includes a variety of activities including the adrenaline-pumping Endurocross, a Build Your Own Boat race, and a Freestyle Jet Ski showcase. See the 116 Jam Dirt Jump contest, where BMX and mountain bike riders compete in multiple classes for a chance to win cash prizes. The family-friendly event will include food vendors.

Pueblo West Mid Summer Fest at Civic Center Park

61 E. Civic Center Plaza | 2-9 p.m. | Free concert featuring the U.S. Air Force Academy Blue Delta Band.

Cult Classic Movie Night at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 7:30-10 p.m. | Check out Kevin Smith's cult classic "Dogma," and enjoy a popcorn special. Ages 16 and older are recommended.

Sunday, Aug. 18

Pride Festival at Mineral Palace Park

1600 N. Santa Fe Ave. | 10:30 a.m. parade, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. celebration | The free Southern Colorado Equality Alliance event will feature entertainment, vendors, food and more.

Variety Dance at the Elks Ballroom

426 N. Santa Fe Ave. | Free dance lessons at 1:15 p.m., dance from 2-5 p.m. | The SoCo Family Polka Club is set to host a dance featuring ballroom, country, polka and other music styles. Music will be performed by the Alan Polivka Band featuring Carlos Crull, Richard Clark and Jim Christian. Cost is $5 for members or $7 for guests, cash only . Take advantage of the last dance before the admission fee increases in September.

Monday, Aug. 19

15th annual Celebration Walk at Pueblo Community College

900 W. Orman Ave. | 11:30 a.m. | Join the college's new president Chato Hazelbaker and walk through campus with students, faculty and staff.

Pueblo Stamp Club meeting at Rawlings Library

100 E. Abriendo Ave., Friends of the Library Meeting Room | 1-3 p.m. | The meeting will focus on Africa’s first postage stamp, issued at the Cape of Good Hope in 1853, and on Chile’s early stamps depicting Christopher Columbus and its saltpeter mining industry. The meeting is free and open to the public . All ages are welcome. Donations of U.S. and foreign stamps for free distribution at club meetings are welcome.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Nerd Night at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 5:30-10 p.m. | Check out the tabletop games, video games and one-shot role-playing games. The event is free and open to all ages.

John F. Kennedy talk at Pueblo Heritage Museum

201 W. B St. | 7-8:30 p.m. | Jeff Chostner will speak about President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Pueblo in his talk, “62 years ago on August 17th, 1962.” Chostner will talk about the Pueblo visit as well as Kennedy's influence and ability to inspire. Refreshments and a discussion will follow .

Thursday, Aug. 22

Grown Up Back to School Night at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 6-8 p.m. | In honor of all college students and educators starting school again, The Ethos is offering two-for-one non-alcoholic drinks for patrons with a college or educator ID.

Friday, Aug. 23

Raminator Monster Truck at Colorado State Fairgrounds

1001 Beulah Ave. | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays | 3-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Labor Day Sept. 4 | Try the Ram Truck Territory track, a 20,000-square-foot unique truck-focused interactive off-road ride to experience the power of Ram trucks. Climb inside the Raminator Monster Truck for photo opportunities. Take a test ride for a chance to enter the sweepstakes. Find out more at ramtrucks.com .

Things to Do listings run in print each Friday and are due by 10 a.m. each Wednesday via email at tharmon@chieftain.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com .

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Things to do in Pueblo this weekend: Rollercoaster and train rides, Pride and Riverfest