Good morning, Pueblo.

Today in Pueblo, community events kick off with a Taizé Candlelight Service at Ascension Preschool and a writers’ workshop at Ethos615 while a country music concert takes place in Pueblo West this evening.

Later in the week, residents will enjoy a range of activities including Harvest Fest on Saturday and the Chile & Frijoles Festival from Sept. 19 to 21—plus art exhibits, potlucks, a back-to-school train ride, and a 5K run in the coming days.

The Little Caesars Love Kitchen fed about 400 people in need in Pueblo on Sept.

9-10 by stopping at the Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen and Pueblo Cooperative Care Center. Local franchise owner Dave Feamster donates extra pizzas twice a week to support the soup kitchen.

Early Thursday, hundreds of people gathered along the Riverwalk in Pueblo to honor first responders who lost their lives on 9-11 as the Center for American Values led the annual Memorial Ceremony, which included three bell tolls and wreaths placed on a steel memorial donated by the New York City Fire Department. Firefighters spoke about the sacrifices made that day and urged the community to remember the cost of the tragedy.

The 31st annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival will run from Sept 19 to 21 in Pueblo and will showcase events such as a kickoff party on Sept 13, a balloon festival, a parade, and a jalapeno eating contest—George Lopez will perform on Sept 19 at Pueblo Memorial Hall.

General admission is $8 for adults with free entry for children under 12 and military personnel—parking is provided in three downtown garages with a free shuttle available from Midtown.

Andrea Wade, a Pueblo County High School graduate and special education teacher with 18 years of experience and a doctorate, is running for the Pueblo D70 board District 4 seat covering parts of St. Charles Mesa, the north side outside Pueblo School District 60 and Pueblo West—she will work with parents and teachers to address curriculum concerns, teacher job security and a budget crisis ahead of the November election against Chris DeLuca and Mark Emery.

Pueblo Community College is teaming with UCHealth to offer no-cost nursing degrees to UCHealth Parkview employees through the Ascend Career Program — with UCHealth covering tuition, books and fees.

The program currently assists 122 employees and builds a local pipeline of skilled nurses.

Pueblo East and Pueblo South are set to compete in the 50th Cannon Game as both teams are 1-1 and strive to win back the sacred cannon—a symbol of a 50-year rivalry—after splitting wins over the past four games.

Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival Happy Hour

4:30-7 p.m. — Union Avenue Historic Commercial District — Registration required — Engage with HR professionals while savoring the vibrant flavors of the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival.

Pueblo South JV Football vs. Skyline

12–2 p.m. — Pueblo South High School — Free entry — Cheer on the Pueblo South JV football team as they take on Skyline in this exciting non-conference matchup.

Pueblo Evening Business Mingle

5-7 p.m. — 3 Margaritas Pueblo — Free entry — Network with local entrepreneurs over delicious food in a laid-back atmosphere.

Steel City Supershow

11 PM — Southwest Motors Event Center — $30.50 — Get ready for an unforgettable night of music featuring Roy Rumble and special guests.

Adams State Grizzlies vs CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves Football

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Watch an exciting college football matchup live from Pueblo.

Mike Pinto Live Performance

8 p.m. – 2 a.m. — Brues Alehouse Brewing Co. — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a SoCal reggae-infused musical experience with Mike Pinto in a local setting.

Gareth Pearson Live Performance

7:30-11 p.m. — Blo Back Gallery — Ticket options available — Experience the explosive fingerstyle and innovative arrangements of 'The Welsh Tornado'.

The Addams Family Musical

7:30-9 p.m. — Pueblo Memorial Hall — $75 to $112 — Experience the quirky charm of the Addams Family in this delightful musical comedy.

Humane Society Spay & Neuter Clinic & Pet Fest

9 a.m. — Southwest Motors Event Center — Low-cost vaccinations and spay/neuter services — Attend the first-ever Pet Fest to help reduce pet overpopulation.

Grassroots Gravel Bike Ride

9-10 a.m. — Pueblo Transit Bus Stop — $65-$155 — Experience legendary routes with fantastic folks in a welcoming bike ride for everyone.