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BCAHFestival Series Returns to In-Person This Summer
By Kristen Beckman
This summer, the Broomfield Council on the Arts & Humanities presents its annual Summer Festival series in person, with events on Saturdays and Sundays for the first time.
BCAH started the series more than a decade ago to ensure Broomfield and surrounding communities had access to free, family-friendly events that appealed to all ages and provided artists and groups with an opportunity to connect with attendees in a free format. Since then, the events have grown from a handful of stations to large events featuring interactive booths hosted by many different creative and cultural groups, live performances, concerts, and special activities at each event, including face painting, bounce houses, and prize drawings.
During the pandemic, BCAH had to re-think the format of the summer festival series to ensure the safety of participants. The Sunday festivals were transformed into Summer Saturday Drive-thru events in 2020 and were held in various locations including in front of the Broomfield Library and at the FlatIron Mall. The drive-thru experiences featured art displays, cultural artifact displays, live music, performances, and a classic car show.
In 2021, BCAH tested out new formats and locations to explore how it could further adjust the program. In June 2021, the series began with a drive-thru event at FlatIron Mall. In July, the program tested a pop-up Summer Sunday Fest at the city’s 4th of July event, and in August, the series returned to its traditional location with an in-person festival at the Brunner Farmhouse & Gardens featuring carnival games, interactive booths, cultural demonstrations, bouncy houses and face painting. There was also a concert by the youth band In Plain Air and a finale concert by the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and the Beverly Belles.
This year, the festivals will be held in person on different weekend days and in different locations based on feedback from last year.
June’s event will take place on Saturday, June 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the outdoor food court at FlatIron Mall. In addition, there will be a bonus event on Saturday, June 25, when BCAH presents Science+Art Experience: Colorado Outdoors at Brunner Farmhouse and Garden’s new vegetable teaching garden. The garden was built and donated by Olson Outdoors and includes interactive stations that explore the local ecosystem.
In July, the festival series reverts to Sundays, with the first event scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 10 at the Brunner Farmhouse & Gardens. The final event is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, at Brunner Farmhouse & Gardens.
The events are free and attendance has grown year over year. Prior to the pandemic, up to 250 people attended each event, but BCAH expects more than 350 people from Broomfield and surrounding areas to attend this year, depending on the venue.
