If your family is still figuring out what to do with this Saturday, here's a strong answer: drive about 20 minutes west of Colorado Springs and spend the morning in Green Mountain Falls at Bronc Day.

The annual festival is underway today, running from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and it's the kind of small-town Colorado event that families tend to stumble onto once and then make a yearly tradition.

What to Expect at Bronc Day

Bronc Day is the sort of festival where you can actually relax with your kids instead of navigating a massive crowd. Green Mountain Falls is a small mountain community tucked into Ute Pass, and the festival takes over the town's main area with a full day of activities.

The morning kicks off with a pancake breakfast, which is a reliable crowd-pleaser for families with younger kids. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., which is just about perfect timing -- you can get there, get pancakes in hand, and find a good spot to watch before the parade rolls through. Live music and family activities round out the afternoon.

The festival runs until 3:00 p.m., so there's still time to make a morning of it even if you're reading this while finishing your coffee.

One note: the cost of the pancake breakfast and festival admission wasn't confirmed in our research. We'd recommend checking with the event organizers before you go to confirm any fees. Green Mountain Falls is easy to reach via US-24 heading west from Colorado Springs.

Also Today: Little Landers at The Yard

If you're staying in Colorado Springs rather than heading up the pass, the Little Landers event at The Yard is running today from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The event features balloon artists, face painting, and yard games -- a solid option for families with younger children who want a low-key morning activity closer to home.

Sunday: Acacia Park Sunday Market

The weekend doesn't end with today's events. Tomorrow, the Acacia Park Sunday Market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and it's free to attend. The market brings together fresh food, local goods, and community activities in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs.

If Sunday mornings with the family tend to involve wandering a farmers' market with a coffee in hand, the Acacia Park Sunday Market is a reliable option. It's walkable from much of downtown, easy to navigate with strollers, and the free admission makes it an easy yes.

Planning a Weekend in COS

July in Colorado Springs has a rhythm -- warm mornings, afternoon thunderstorm potential, and a calendar full of community events that reward families who plan ahead. Today's lineup, from Bronc Day up in the mountains to the Little Landers option in town, gives families a choice between adventure and something more low-key.

Whether you go for the mountain festival or the backyard games closer to home, today's a good day to be outside in Colorado Springs. The high is forecast at 84 degrees, and the mornings this time of year are about as close to perfect as Colorado gets.

What's Next

• Bronc Day Festival: Green Mountain Falls, today (July 25), 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Take US-24 west from Colorado Springs, about 20 minutes
• Parade: 10:00 a.m. -- arrive early for a good spot on the route
• Verify admission costs with the event organizers before you go
• Little Landers at The Yard: today (July 25), 10:00 a.m.–noon -- balloon artists, face painting, yard games
• Acacia Park Sunday Market: tomorrow (July 26), 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., free to attend