Meet Family and Friends at Broomfield’s Annual Summer Sundays Festivals

By Bette Erickson

Broomfield’s Summer Sundays Festivals are back. “Summer Sundays are a community tradition here in Broomfield and the Broomfield Council on the Arts & Humanities (BCAH) is honored to be the organizer for these and many other events,” explained BCAH Executive Director Keri Dillingham.

Dillingham said one of her many goals for the organization ever since the onset of COVID three years ago has been to remain sustainable and continue to grow the organization and enrich the cultural landscape of Broomfield with a variety of diverse and creative programs.

She and her team are clearly meeting that goal. BCAH continues to serve Broomfield well with more than 55 events, creative stations, and sessions per year, presented by its staff, program directors, and fiscal sponsor groups. And in 2022, her leadership skills, along with BCAH’s board members and volunteers, guided BCAH through its largest growth phase in its 50-year history.

“One of BCAH’s goals is to offer a creative community,” she said. “A place for creatives [artists; performers; inventors] to express themselves in any medium from storytelling to music to theatre, and, at the same time, give residents diverse experiences right here in their own community,” she added.

“BCAH has been providing these free festivals for decades to ensure Broomfielders have access to interactive, outdoor experiences that are family-friendly, creative, and artistically and culturally diverse,” Dillingham said. “There’s something for everyone at these events.”

The popular Summer Sundays Festivals include interactive stations that are hosted by local creative and cultural groups. Each event starts at 4:00 p.m. with creative booths, face painting, balloon artists, and more, followed by a live concert from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the back porch of the farmhouse.

Bring family, friends, and neighbors, your lawn chairs, and a bit of spending money for food trucks, so you can relax, eat, and groove to the music.

The arts council was founded in 1973 and was originally a city-funded organization. As Broomfield grew, BCAH became an independent non-profit funded by individual and family donors, grants, and business sponsors. It is still a strong partner with the city, including partnering on many programs, supporting Broomfield Sister Cities and the annual Student Art Show organized with the recreation services department.

Throughout the year, BCAH presents free events created by its staff and high quality-lower cost events developed by its program directors. It also serves as an umbrella organization providing administrative infrastructure and financial management for local groups. BCAH programs include the Broomfield Days Poster contest, Aster Women’s Choir, Broomfield Community Players, Science+Art Experiences, and of course the Summer Sundays Festivals. BCAH promotes its events via its newsletter and social media channels.

Before becoming executive director and later a Heart of Broomfield in the Arts awardee, Dillingham used her business acumen, marketing and writing expertise, and background in psychology in other meaningful capacities.

A longtime resident, she relocated to Broomfied 23 years ago to attend CU Boulder. Today she continues her work at BCAH to ensure that the community she calls “home” is a vibrant place to work, live, and visit. The 2023 Summer Sundays Festival line-up includes: a few highlights about solar:

June 11: Groove N’ Motion - Groove ‘N Motion has wow’d Broomfield residents on its 4th of July event with its entertaining and upbeat performances. Groove N’ Motion features a 5-piece horn line, four outstanding and energizing vocalists, and a rockin’ five-piece rhythm section. As Colorado’s premier powerhouse show/variety band, they feature horn-driven classics and current hits, as well as Classic Rock, R&B/funk/soul, Latin and Jazz! Tunes from Chicago, Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and so many more.

July 9: TBD Do you have a favorite local band you’d like to see at the Summer Sundays Festival? Reach out via bcah@artsinbroomfield.org.

August 13: The much-requested Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra - Summer Sundays Festivals reliable finale band, each Summer, the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra is a big draw and crowd-pleaser. MJO is a 19-piece jazz orchestra, or “big band,” featuring male and female vocalists as well as a full-time Musical Director and Master of Ceremonies (MC).

Summer Sundays Festivals

Don’t forget to mark your calendar: From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays, June 11, July 9, and August 13 at Broomfield’s famed Brunner Farmhouse & Gardens at 640 Main St. in Broomfield. Admission is free but be sure to bring some money for food truck vendors and don’t forget your lawn chairs and enthusiasm.

Keeping Creativity Alive in Broomfield

For as low as $35 per year, you can make a big difference in your community by donating to this long standing nonprofit and receive a mailed newsletter keeping you updated on Broomfield arts and entertainment news and events. Your donation supports program administration costs, outreach events, free entertainment, and more. Visit ArtsInBroomfield.org to donate.

Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com with your story ideas.