Broomfield Days 2021 – Together Again

September 17-19

Broomfield Days is back! Broomfield’s annual community festival is best known for its parade and trade fair, but the two-day gathering features many more events.

In the morning, before the parade, join the Mayor’s Cup Road Race. Runners can participate in the 5k or a 1-mile fun run through Broomfield’s trail system. At 10:00 a.m. the parade marches down Midway Boulevard toward Midway Park and the grandstand.

The trade fair is set up on both sides of Midway in North and South Midway Parks. Featuring booths from a variety of Broomfield businesses, the trade fair has everything from arts and crafts tents to food trucks, and local business exhibits to the carnival.

Senior Resources of Broomfield hosts two events during Broomfield Days: The Broomfield Days Golf Tournament and Car Show. The golf tournament, hosted at Eagle Trace Golf Course, takes place on Friday September 17, and the Car Show is located on the south side of Midway Blvd., all day on September 18.

There’s even events for our furry friends; Rocky Mountain Dock Dogs is returning this year with the two-day dock jumping competition on Saturday and Sunday.

Broomfield Days does not fall short in the area of entertainment. With stages set up throughout the park, there will be music and dance performances, a clown contest, carnival games, a petting zoo, and more.

Broomfield Days Parade

Photo by Pat Eichner

Some Broomfield Days History

According to newspaper reports at the time, the first Broomfield Days was held on July 4, 1957. The event, then called the Broomfield Boom, was designed to be a community fun fest with food, entertainment, contests, and more. Boom planners wanted to bring the then communities of Broomfield and Broomfield Heights together in a massive celebration and welcome surrounding neighbors to see the wonderful new town that was emerging. Billed as a great success reminiscent of a “good old fashioned barn raising,” the event became “annual” after its very first year.

As I prepared for this issue, I came across the following column that I wrote back in September 1987, as a senior in high school. Enjoy.

Broomfield Days Celebration Special to the Younger Set (Sept. 1987)

By Tina Battista (Eichner)

The celebration of Broomfield Days not only has much meaning for those who remember its early beginnings, it is also a special time for the younger generation. Students at Broomfield High School have been preparing for over three weeks for this 30th anniversary of Broomfield Days. Each class is sponsoring a booth, as it is a traditional way to raise funds. The band, color guard, and cheerleaders have been practicing to march in the parade since summer. The parade is the highlight of the fall season for many of these students.

Senior Sean Miller called Broomfield Days the “greatest weekend to bring the community together. Broomfield Days is better than a Bronco game.”

Many students have special childhood memories of Broomfield Days. Senior Kari Kultala (Thurman) remembers running to catch the candy thrown in the parade. Seniors Jeff Dankey and Susie Wargin each won the clown contest as kids. Jeff was 10 and remembers that his prize was a bike. Susie remembers that her picture appeared on the front page of The Denver Post. “It’s great to see the unity among everyone in the city,” said Susie. She said she especially enjoys the street dance.

In another 20 or 30 years, the teenagers of today will be the people looking back to the fall of 1987 and Broomfield Days. Now is the time for creating their memories and stockpiling their stories for their children and grandchildren, the generations of the 21st century.

Kari may have best summed up the spirit that has kept Broomfield Days going: “It is the one time all year when everyone is together, like a reunion. I feel special about this year because I’m graduating, but I hope to come back yearly for Broomfield Days — for the memories.”