Do you like carnations? How about fun fairs and festivals? You can combine all these things at the annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival in Colorado! This festival has been happening since 1969 - so it's been an annual event for over 50 years now - and it's still going strong. This is a wonderful way to celebrate carnations, the history of Wheat Ridge, neighbors, and community all at once. It happens every August and it's fun for the whole family! Read on to learn more about it.
Wheat Ridge was once known for carnations. This beautiful flower was grown in this Denver suburb in large quantities. It's a big part of local heritage, even though the last carnation grower in Wheat Ridge ceased operations in 2008.
There were once 32 different farmers growing carnations in Wheat Ridge.
The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival began in 1969. Today, over 30,000 people attend it each year.
It's free and lasts for three days and it happens in Anderson Park.
This festival is full of fun events. There's lots of food. You can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Grange Hall.
There's also a spaghetti dinner served by West Metro Fire Rescue at the festival's food court.
There's a pie bake-off, too. Anyone can enter and win prizes.
Don't miss the chili cook-off! Winning it is a very big deal.
In addition to food-based events and activities, there's so much more. The car show benefits Wheat Ridge High School clubs and sports. People come from all over the state to show off their cars, trucks, and motorcycles and to win trophies.
Local artists display their works and compete in the Wheat Ridge Art League Annual Fine Arts Show.
Your whole family will love the carnival! There are rides for all ages and midway games.
You can also enjoy a whole bunch of live music during the festival. Several bands play each afternoon and evening, and a wide variety of musical genres are represented.
You'll enjoy checking out the offerings from the many vendors onsite.
Perhaps the most exciting event of the entire weekend is The Grand Parade. It's been a part of the festival since the very beginning.
The Grand Parade features local schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. There's so much to see!
You never know who or what you'll see in The Grand Parade!
On both Friday and Saturday nights, you can enjoy a fireworks display, too.
This festival is truly fantastic. Once you attend once, you'll surely want to make it an annual tradition!
This Denver suburb really has it going on! Don't miss the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. It's fun for the whole family!
If you're looking for somewhere to stay in or near Wheat Ridge, check out Booking.com or VRBO for ideas - and start planning your visit to the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival!
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