Come October, Arvada is bustling with activities and
celebrations. From Fall to Halloween, Arvada has an event for every autumn
occasion. No matter if you have kids or pets, or if you’re a young couple
looking for a fun date, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Arvada’s Festival of
Scarecrows
A decorative scarecrow from the festival. Source: The Arvada Examiner
Equal
parts a celebration of fall and Halloween, Arvada’s Festival of Scarecrows
usually occurs around the middle of October. The festivals sprawls across Olde
Town Arvada, but a majority of events happen at Olde Town Square. The festival
takes its name from the scarecrow contest. For this contest, groups and
individuals create and decorate their own scarecrows, and judges pick the best
ones. The top scarecrows receive cash prizes or gift cards.
There
are plenty of other contests for your consideration as well. For the decorated
pumpkin contest, residents deck out their pumpkins with everything from
streamer hair and makeup to hats and boots. Judges award prizes based on
originality and creativity. Foodies and kitchen masters can take part in the
pumpkin dish contest. Contestants can enter up to three items where pumpkin is
a main ingredient. Judges will award prizes for the top three dishes in each of
the five categories. Other competitions include a pumpkin pie eating contests
and a pumpkin seed spitting contest.
For the
less competitive, there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy at the
Festival of Scarecrows. Parents can proudly watch their children march in a
kid’s costume parade. There’s also a maze for kids where the course boundaries
are made using non-perishable food donations. Add in games, karaoke, hayrides
and music, and you’ve got an event that’s a ton of fun for the whole family!
Arvada Harvest
Festival
A banner at the beginning of the festival’s parade. Source: City of Arvada website
At the
beginning of September, Arvada commemorates the paving of the first road from
Denver to Arvada with the Arvada Harvest Festival. Because of its historic
origins-the first celebration dates back to 1925-this festival is the oldest
and largest celebration in Arvada.
The main attraction is the Harvest
Festival Parade. The parade is composed of several marching bands, plus floats
from various school organizations, service clubs, and local businesses. Another
unique event is the Teddy Bear Picnic. Perfect for kids and their favorite
stuffed friend, the picnic allows children to bring their favorite stuffed
animal to dine on a picnic lunch.
The list of other activities for
the Harvest Festival is massive: music performances, a carnival complete with
games, vendor booths, movies in the park, a garden harvest contest, a beer
garden, ice cream social, and bingo, among others.
Other Halloween
Festivities
Some
other smaller Halloween events can be found below:
-“Trick or Treat” Stage
Performance is a horror story themed play that runs Fridays and Saturdays in
October. It’s great for those who enjoy scary movies.
-The Apex Halloween Carnival is a
great family-friendly festival. It has everything from games and bounce houses
to hay rides and ghost stories.
-Trick or Treat Street happens in Olde
Town Arvada. Here, businesses create a trick or treat environment for kids.
-Pet Howl-oween is a costume
contest for dogs. Prizes are available for the most creative and frightening
outfits, and all proceeds from the event go to charity. It’s a perfect night to
bond with your favorite pooch!
Additionally,
you can find plenty of local haunted houses and other parties, or enjoy the crisp fall weather with other outdoor activities around Candelas.
What are your favorite fall activites?
What are your favorite fall activites?
