Summer may be winding down to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. In fact, Labor Day weekend offers one of the season’s best opportunities for Boulder families to get outside and soak up that famous Colorado sunshine.
Boulder Creek Hometown Festival
When: Saturday, September 1st-Monday, September 3rd
Now in its twentieth year, the Boulder Creek Hometown Festival is one of the town’s signature events, and brings together those who live in and around the Flatirons to celebrate all things Boulder: outdoorsiness, community, live music, great food, craft beer, and classic quirkiness. Starting at 10am each day, the festival offers complimentary fun for everyone.
In addition to the special events mentioned below, all weekend long attendees can enjoy the carnival rides, live music, and beer garden. On Saturday, listen to the musical stylings of bands as diverse as The Rock & Pop Music Academy’s Winkk, the blue-grassy vibes of the Hillbilly Hellcats, and the Latin dance group Onda. Sunday features Colorado favorite Hazel Miller, alongside Delta Sonics, Zen Mustache, and The Pamlico Sound. Round out your weekend of dancing and jiving with Ruckus In The Alley, The Arthur Lee Land Trio, Bonfire Dub, and the Jacob Larson Band.
On Saturday, the event kicks off with the Great Zucchini Race. No worries if you miss it that morning however, because there’s a race each day at 11am. Children of all ages can dress up, carve out, or otherwise modify their zucchini into a wild derby car.
On Sunday, wander through the autophile’s dreamland during the Classic Car and Motorcycle Show. Ogle the 1956 Chevy Bel Airs alongside 1967 Camaros, 1940s motorcycles, and other beautiful, painstaking remodels of vehicles from the Golden Age of driving.
Monday rounds out the Boulder Creek Hometown Festival with a slew of events tailored to adults and children alike. The Rocky Mountain Beer Festival returns for its second tour date of the summer. Adults love the beer and relaxed garden, while whole families appreciate the lawn games and welcoming atmosphere. Before or after enjoying the craft brews from fellow Coloradans, be sure to catch the 30th anniversary of the Great Boulder Duck Race. Every year, over 7,000 people participate in this fun(d)raiser benefiting PLAY Boulder Foundation’s three main initiatives: access, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity.
The Boulder Creek Hometown Festival is an excellent way to get to know your neighbors, celebrate the uniqueness of our wonderful town, and enjoy the lingering warmth of summer. Whether you want to peruse local artisanal goods, ride a Ferris Wheel, dance to local bands, or play yard games with friends, this event will bring a smile to your face.