For some old-fashioned family fun come to the Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus, an exciting new feature of this year’s annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. The first performance is 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18 at Anderson Park, 4355 Field Street, Wheat Ridge.  Performances continue through Aug. 26. Tickets go on sale on June 1^st. Watch the website wwww.thecarnationfestival.com for locations and discount opportunities at.

The Zoppe’ Circus has been a family business since the 1800s and includes acrobats, clowns, horses and dog acts.  If you’re an early riser, come at 7:00 Friday morning to watch 15 men erect the 63-foot tall tent. It seats up to 800 people and is designed so that no audience member is further than 20 feet from the performance ring.

In addition to the circus, this year’s festival will include an Italian Village with events such as wine tasting, authentic food and Italian vendors selling their crafts and wares.  Many Italian organizations will share their culture in areas such as language, travel and games.

The Zoppe’ Circus has an interesting history. In 1842 , a young French street performer, Napoleone Zoppe’, wandered into a plaza in Budapest, Hungary, looking for work. There, he glanced upon a beautiful equestrian ballerina, Ermengilda, who captured the crowd with her grace and showmanship. She also won Napoleone’s heart.

However, since Napoleone was a clown, Ermengilda’s father saw him as beneath her and disapproved of their relationship. The two ran away to Venice, Italy, and founded the circus that still bears their name. Over the generations, the circus survived wars and political upheaval in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Alberto Zoppe’, Napoleone’s great-grandson, inherited the circus almost 100 years later.  A grand equestrian in his own right, Alberto toured Europe with the circus since his youth, forging many unique friendships along the way including one with famed actor/director Orson Welles.

Welles, who was working in Rome at the time, persuaded Alberto to take a role in a small film about the circus being shot in London.  Alberto was then offered a job by John Ringling North of Ringling Brothers fame, who was putting together the circus acts for Cecil B. De Mille’s Oscar-winning film, The Greatest Show on Earth.  Alberto was hesitant to leave his family circus in Italy for America., but North was persistent and offered to loan the family circus an elephant for the show as long as Alberto worked for him.   He obliged and was prominently featured in the film.

Alberto would remain in America, producing circuses for Ringling and started his own family.  Together with his wife Sandra, Alberto ushered in a new generation to continue the family tradition. Their children, Giovanni, Tosca and Carla, along with their spouses have all been active at one time or another in the family business. Giovanni revived the Zoppe’ Family Circus in America 11 years ago, and has since been building its reputation with audiences and critics as an enchanting exhibition of traditional European circus.

For more information, go to www.thecarnationfestival.com and click on the Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus link.

In addition to social media, website, newspaper, and other Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival resources - Join The Carnation Festival Email Updates List and stay up to date with all the festival news, events, dates, times, fundraisers, and more:

Join Our Email List Email:

. . . Shuttle and Parking  information coming soon . . .

 (Subject to change)

Enjoy our food! 

Pappy’s Hillbilly Concessions: Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Bacon Cheeseburgers, Sloppy Joes, Hotdogs, Chili-Cheese Dogs, French Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Nachos, Soft Pretzels, Breakfast Burritos, Biscuits & Gravy, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Candy, Slushies

D & T: Funnel Cakes, Tater Twisters, Cheeseburgers, Hamburgers, Italian Sausage, Bratwursts, Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, Nachos, Cotton Candy, Candy, Chips, Energy Drinks

Dragonfly/Dragon Sauces: Dragon Sauces, BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Beef Brisket, BBQ Bourbon Balls, Turkey Legs

Desserts Only: 8 Flavors of Ice Cream, Cappuccino and Fruit Blasts, Root Beer Floats, Iced Cappy, Pepsi Products

Culinary Wave: BBQ Steak, Chicken or Pulled Pork Sandwich; Jumbo Steak or Chicken Kabob; Steak or Chicken Burrito; Subs: Italian, Turkey and Swiss, Ham & Cheddar, Veggie; Gyros; Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Veggie Burger; Hot Dog, Corn Dog, Nachos, French Fries, Cheese Fries, Green Chili Fries; Chips, Candy, Gum, Cookies, Energy Drinks

Maui Wowi: Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Kona Coffee drinks, Brewed, Iced and Frozen. Ghirardelli Hot and Frozen Koko

La Hacienda: Beef, Chicken or Pork Tacos; Chorizo, Ham or Bacon Breakfast Burrito; Chicharrones; Fresh Fruit Cup

My Pie: 8” pizzas, Chicken Wings, Cinnamon Pie, Cheese Bread

Tropical Island Delights: Funnel Cakes, Fried Twinkies, Fried Candy Bars, Corn Dogs, Popcorn

If you are a new vendor or one who has displayed your goods and services at many fairs and festivals, here are some helpful tips for selling more and attracting festival-goers to your booth:

Stand in front of your display. Set up your product behind you and along the outside perimeters of your canopy. Standing behind your display sets up a barrier and decreases sales.

Stand and greet people with a smile. If you sell jewelry or clothing, wear it. Remove chairs.  Sitting down in your booth will decrease the energy that draws people to you. A chair should be used for periods of rest only.

Create a powerful, succinct message (no more than 25 words) about what your business does and why they should do business with you.

The more interactive and exciting you make your booth, the more people will be drawn to you so that you can sell products/services. Sitting out a bowl of candy does not bring people to your booth.  A wheel of fortune, basketball hoop, moving the cup around, drawings and giveaways (no raffles) or providing balloons will improve your foot traffic.

Always pretend you are hosting your own party. You have invited all these guests to your home.  Treat them like they are long-time friends. By following these guidelines, you will be sure to realize your goals from our Festival.

Please call us if you would like to brainstorm any ideas you have for energizing your booth. We love hearing from you!

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Midway and Vendor Committee

Following is a tentative schedule for the Zoppé Italian Family Circus
appearing in Wheat Ridge Colorado in August 2012:

Zoppé Circus Schedule for Wheat Ridge Colorado

The Zoppè Italian Family Circus will help kick-off the 43rd Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival! Don’t miss this authentic European circus. The Zoppè family has been entertaining young and old all over the world since 1842 and they will be in Wheat Ridge August 17th through 26th.

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Food Vendors:  SOLD OUT for the 2012 Festival.

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Merchandise & other Vendors: Application page here.
Plenty of merchandise vendor space still available.

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The 2011 Carnation Festival Chili Cook Off winners are:

1st place Green: Salsa’s
2nd place Green: Dayna Justice

1st place Red: Tim Berland
2nd place Red: Pam Goff

The Chili Cook Off had 16 entrants with three restaurants (La Fonda, Texas Roadhouse, and Salsa’s) and three fire departments: Wheat Ridge Fire, Arvada Fire and Denver Fire.   One entrant was 14 years old!

There were 9 Green chili entrants and 7 Red chili entrants total.

Hello 2011 Parade participants,

The Carnation Festival Committee sincerely thanks you for your great showing this year – the Parade was a colorful and lively event! We do appreciate each of you as you work to make the Parade so enjoyable each year. The 2011 Parade award winners are listed as follows:

Carnation Festival Grand Marshal Award – Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation
Carnation Festival Count Award – Duane Chesley and 1940 Tractor
Carnation Festival Countess Award – Ciorcal Cairde Irish Pipe and Drum Band
Mayor’s Youth Award – Wheat Ridge 5-8 (formerly Wheat Ridge Middle School)
Parade Chairman Award – Peterson/Leyba’s Rubber Stamps
Best Decorated Float Award – Disguises Superstore
Best Marching Unit (Non-musical) Award – Wheat Ridge High School Varsity Cheer
Best Marching Unit (Musical) Award – Wheat Ridge High School Marching Band
Best Equestrian Award – Westernaires
Best Vehicular Award – El Jebel Shrine
Best Business Award – TIGAR Gymnastics
Best Community Award – Stober Elementary School
Best Use of Carnations Award – Sons of Italy Denver Lodge 2075.

I very much look forward to seeing you in next year’s Parade, and please contact me in the meantime if there are questions and comments.

Best regards,

Steve Keller

Carnation Festival Parade Chair

Congratulations to the 2011 Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Royalty
Parade Marshal Cheri Jahn – Countess Cheryl Brungardt – Count Mick Brungardt

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Royalty 2011

A big “Thank You” to all of the 2011 JUMBO Business Card Sponsors.

Please contact the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival next year to sponsor the festival.

Questions? Please contact:

Compostable vs. Biodegradable

WRCF Going Green

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival is going green this year.

When you attend either the Wheat Ridge Fire Department sponsored spaghetti dinner on Friday night or the Chili Cook-off on Saturday night, you will be using all compostable products including the plates, bowls, plastic-ware and napkins.

Here is the difference between compostable and biodegradable:

Compostable is rigorously governed by international standards ASTM 6400 and ASTM 6888. That means that compostable products biodegrade in commercial composting facilities in 180 days or less with even the plastic vanishing.

Biodegradable is when products break down over time through natural processes. This could take from one day to one thousand years such as a plastic shopping bag.

One reason compostable is much more expensive is because the end product results from the controlled biological decomposition of organic material that has been sanitized through the generation of heat and stabilized to the point that it is beneficial to plant growth. Compost contains plant nutrients but is not characterized as a fertilizer.

The Festival will also be recycling all cans, bottles and plastic.

Where: Baskin Robbins 3912 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-4615

When:  5:30PM to 9PM   –   Thursday August 4th, 2011

With 20% of all sales benefiting the
Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival / Committee

View Larger Map

WHEAT RIDGE GRANGE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

WHEN :   SAT AM  (before  the parade)
7 am to 9 am

WHERE:   3850 HIGH ct  (behind bicycle shop)

COST:      $6.   ADULTS
$4.   CHILDREN (5 to 12)

more info.   charlene 720 434 7161

sponsored by 1stBank of Wheat Ridge

Saturday – 12-2 Drum City – Entertainment area/Beer Garden – two duplicate drum sets. Kenny Dennison, the #1 drum teacher in America, will be playing on one drum set. A kid or adult can join in at a matching drum set facing Kenny and play drums with him.

Lewis, the magician, who performs magic shows daily at the top of the hour will be showing the kids some street magic as they gather for the parade. Hula Hoop Betty will be there to demonstrate hula hooping.

12:30 – Entertainment area/Beer Garden – Crazy Caps, hats and Teddy Bear Contest

Decorate one or two items and plan to parade on the midway before judges who will be looking for the most imaginative, most colorful, silliest and cutest cap, hat or Teddy Bear. All kids who enter will be awarded one free kids carnival ride ticket. There will be four first prizes awarded in the above categories. These grand prize winners will receive an unlimited free carnival ride bracelet for all day Saturday. Parents will be invited to help judge this contest.

Immediately following, there will be a kid’s toy swap. Older kids are welcome to participate. Each entrant can bring one good used toy from home to swap with another kid. You can swap as many times as you like while doing a roam around swap. The swap will be monitored by parents to ensure trading is done to the liking of both parties. Complimentary shopping bags supplied by 1stBank Wheat Ridge.

Right after the toy swap, kids and adults will be given an opportunity to learn how to hula hoop. Betty Hoops, a nationally known hula hoop expert, will be teaching classes throughout the afternoon.

You can bring your own or she sells hula hoops for a reasonable price for kids and adults to decorate with ribbons and lots of cool stuff. Betty will be located in the south pavilion and looks forward to having parents and kids hula hoop together.

and – Fireworks both nights at 9:15 PM!!!

Kids Craft Central booth Schedule:

Friday:

4 pm – 6 pm: Become a little prince or princess and make your own crown with the Wheat Ridge Library.

6 pm – 8 pm: Paint and create you own mosaic with ceramic tiles with Sip N’ Create Studios, Olde Town Arvada, www.sipncreate.com.

Saturday:

12 pm – 2 pm: Make your own lorax tree, inspired by the Dr. Suess book, “The Lorax,” with the Wheat Ridge Library.

2 pm – 4 pm: Come play with Abrakadoodle in using shapes, textures and patterns to design a flower bouquet similar to one that Picasso created. www.abrakadoodle.com/co05/

4 pm – 6 pm: String your own beaded necklace with Ornamental Beads, Wheat Ridge, www.ornabead.com.

6 pm – 8 pm: Learn to thwart bullying without using violence with ATA Martial Arts, Wheat Ridge, atamartialarts.com

Petting Zoo (small fee)

Visit the Petting Zoo

A Children’s Petting Zoo will be provided by Laughing Valley Ranch. Kids and adults, come and meet the animals and some of your favorite barnyard babies.  The petting zoo is always a popular hands on activity and offers a great opportunity for kids to greet domestic and exotic animal breeds.

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival along with LiveWell Wheat Ridge is encouraging participants to live a healthier and sustainable lifestyle.

Bike to the Carnation Festival

The Festival will be providing a bicycle corral for those who choose to ride their bicycles to the event. The corral will be located near the skate park at the north east corner of the festival parking lot. Bicycle parking is free and any donations to the WRHS Band, who will be providing security, will be appreciated.

Performing:   Saturday August 20,     3:45-5:00

Website:    http://www.reverbnation.com/eohippus

EOHIPPUS

 (Jazz)

Performing:   Saturday August 20,   2:00-3:00

Website:  http://www.jukeboxalive.com/nolongerboys

The No Longer Boys

(Bluegrass)

Performing:   Friday August 19, 8:30-9:15

Website:    http://www.jimhyattband.com/

Jim Hyatt Band

 (Country)

Performing:   Friday August 19, 7:00-8:00

Website:   http://www.superseedband.com/

Super Seed

 (Alternative/Pop)

Performing:   Friday August 19,    4:00-5:00

Website:   http://www.myspace.com/thebottomfeedersproject/

Bottom Feeders

 (Dead Head)

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival now requires all partner vendors/suppliers to complete a W9 form for federal tax purposes.

W9 Form

Click Here to download and print out a W9 Form.

Once completed, scan and email your W9 to W9@TheCarnationFestival.com
or

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
P O Box 1511
Wheat Ridge CO.   80034

We have temporarily moved this information . . . please visit:

http://www.thecarnationfestival.com/bizcard_form.php

to order your JUMBO Business Card.

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival features a large Carnival, Kiddie Carnival, and Midway each year. With great rides, fantastic food & drinks (including a beer garden adjacent to the main stage), various crafts, games, and fun activities for kids, teens, and adults, the entire family can discover a wonderful summer fun-time. Come and join us!

2012 Festival Vendors

(Subject to change)

 Enjoy our food, entertainment and merchandise!

Here are some examples of WRCF Food Vendors -

Pappy’s Hillbilly Concessions: Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Bacon Cheeseburgers, Sloppy Joes, Hotdogs, Chili-Cheese Dogs, French Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Nachos, Soft Pretzels, Breakfast Burritos, Biscuits & Gravy, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Candy, Slushies

D & T: Funnel Cakes, Tater Twisters, Cheeseburgers, Hamburgers, Italian Sausage, Bratwursts, Hot Dogs, Snow Cones, Nachos, Cotton Candy, Candy, Chips, Energy Drinks

Dragonfly/Dragon Sauces: Dragon Sauces, BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Beef Brisket, BBQ Bourbon Balls, Turkey Legs

Desserts Only: 8 Flavors of Ice Cream, Cappuccino and Fruit Blasts, Root Beer Floats, Iced Cappy, Pepsi Products

Culinary Wave: BBQ Steak, Chicken or Pulled Pork Sandwich; Jumbo Steak or Chicken Kabob; Steak or Chicken Burrito; Subs: Italian, Turkey and Swiss, Ham & Cheddar, Veggie; Gyros; Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Veggie Burger; Hot Dog, Corn Dog, Nachos, French Fries, Cheese Fries, Green Chili Fries; Chips, Candy, Gum, Cookies, Energy Drinks

Maui Wowi: Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Kona Coffee drinks, Brewed, Iced and Frozen. Ghirardelli Hot and Frozen Koko

La Hacienda: Beef, Chicken or Pork Tacos; Chorizo, Ham or Bacon Breakfast Burrito; Chicharrones; Fresh Fruit Cup

My Pie: 8” pizzas, Chicken Wings, Cinnamon Pie, Cheese Bread

Tropical Island Delights: Funnel Cakes, Fried Twinkies, Fried Candy Bars, Corn Dogs, Popcorn

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
Main Stage Entertainment Lineup Entertainment

Friday August 19th, 2011

Please contact Reef Abbott - Reef@TheCarnationFestival.com -
if you would like more information on Entertainment at the 2011 WRCF.