Parade of Homes begins Aug. 17

It's as much a tradition as county fairs and July Fourth celebrations -- but without the funnel cakes and fireworks. The 2007 Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, kicks off Friday, Aug. 17, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 2. This year's parade -- in which builders put homes on display for the public to see -- will feature two main sites: Black Forest Reserve, southwest of Meridian and Hodgen roads, and The Preserve at Walden, northeast of Hodgen and Colorado Highway 83. Both developments are in Black Forest, the unincorporated area north and northeast of Colorado Springs. Other individual home sites will be in several Colorado Springs neighborhoods and in Woodland Park, west of the Springs. Homes on display will range in price from $165,000 to more than $2 million. Admission to view homes is $10 for adults; children under 18 and adults 65 and older will be admitted free. All homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Tickets can be purchased at Safeway stores and at parade home sites. More information: http://www.cshba.com/ or 592-1800.