SUNRISE EDITION A great day for big community events in the region

It should be a gorgeous summer day for outdoor activities in the Pikes Peak region, with highs hovering around the mid 80s. Two big outdoor events include the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race and opening day of the El Paso County Fair.

The race begins at 9 a.m. but fans will need to be on the hill much earlier than that to watch the race. The road opened at 4 a.m. for visitors and closes at 8 a.m. Tickets are $40-$80; 576-2626 or www.ppihc.com.

It’s also time for animals, crafts, rides, entertainment and even sharks in Calhan for the El Paso County Fair opening day. The fair opens at 10 a.m. today and runs through July 28. There’s a concert with the Yampa Valley Boys and the Colorado Wranglers at 6 p.m. Sunday, $5-$10 and free for ages 2 and younger. Regular admission is $7; $5 for ages 55 and older; $3 for ages 3-12; and free for ages 2 and younger. Check out the complete schedule at: www.elpasocountyfair .com; 520-7880.

Among other early events, the Pikes Peak Amateur concludes at Patty Jewett Golf Course and the Pikes Peak Invitational soccer tournament continues at Air Force.

MAN SHOT IN HAND

A man was shot in the hand just after midnight last night downtown near the Thirsty Parrot at 32 S. Tejon St.

After an argument, the suspect pulled a .357 handgun out of his waist band, according to Colorado Springs police. When the victim tried to grab the gun, he was shot in the hand.

Police arrested Travis A. Hull, 23, of Colorado Springs on suspicion of assault and drug possession. Officers said they found 35 grams of methamphetamines and two ecstasy pills.

Hull was being held early this morning at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.

The victim’s name and condition were unavailable.

HAPPENINGS

-- Garden and Landscaping class, 8 to 10 a.m., East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Participants must have Internet experience and the ability to use a mouse and keyboard, free.

-- Gettin’ Up Uptown summer concert series with Duke Davis and Buckshot, 10 a.m. to noon, Pine Creek Village Center, upper parking lot, Briargate Parkway and Chapel Hills Drive, free.

-- “I Stayed Up all Night to Read Harry Potter” brunch for teens, 10 to 11 a.m., East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free.

-- Movie night for teens with a showing of “Lord of the Rings: Two Towers,” 1 to 5 p.m., Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave., free.

-- Trickster Treats children’s program with interactive stories with Denise Gard and her sock puppet Mitzy, 1:30 p.m., Briargate Branch Library, 9475 Briar Village Point, free.

-- Opening reception for New Works in the Gene Pool II exhibit, 6 to 8 p.m., Gunter-Wolff Gallery, 2605 W. Colorado Ave., free. Exhibit runs through Aug. 15.

-- Public star party, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Fox Run Regional Park, Roller Coaster Road and Stella Drive, Black Forest. Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will provide telescopes for viewing, free.

-- Family variety show, 7:45 to 9 p.m., Rocky Mountain Calvary, 4285 N. Academy Blvd. BBQ, open skateboarding and rollerblading on ramps and half pipes and air jumper for children, free.

-- Showing “Over the Hedge,” begins at sundown, about 8:40 p.m., The Pomenade Shops at Briargate, east parking lot, 1885 Briargate Parkway. Free popcorn and cotton candy while supplies last; bring chairs or blankets, free.

-- Families interested in 21st Century Charter School at Colorado Springs can learn more about the charter school at the back to school picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. The school is at 525 E. Costilla St. Food and drinks will be provided.

-- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Teddy Bear Days: The Zoo is looking out for your child’s teddy bear. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Sunday, there will be a clinic to bandage boo-boos, face painting and other activities and a parade at 2:45 p.m. It’s at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, and admission is $1 for kids 11 and younger accompanied by a teddy bear or other stuffed animal; 633-9925.

-- Summer Nights: It’s a night for the family with a silent movie accompanied by live music, and then a feature film — “Flicka.” The free events start at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rock Ledge Ranch, off 30th Street across from Garden of the Gods; 385-5256.

SPORTS ON TV

The British Open will be on TNT at 5 a.m. and ABC at 7 a.m. The Tour de France is on Versus at 6 a.m. The Colorado Rockies are at Washington at 2 on 850 AM and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox are at Fresno at 8 on 1460 AM. The Diamondbacks are at the Cubs at 11 on WGN and the Giants are at the Brewers at 1:30 p.m. on Fox.

The Busch Series 250 has qualifying and the race on ESPN2 at 2:30 and 6:30, respectively. The Dew Tour extreme action sports event is on NBC at 12:30 and taped on USA at 10 p.m. Chelsea plays an exhibition at the L.A. Galaxy, which may or may not have ailing David Beckham in the lineup, at 6:30 on ESPN. The LPGA World Match Play Championship is at 1 on CBS and the PGA's U.S. Bank Championship is at 2 on the Golf channel. In tennis, the ATP Countrywide Classic is at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and in volleyball the Long Beach Open is at 2:30 on NBC.