Specialty Food Events

Food choices will abound at the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival.  In addition to the vendors on the festival grounds, there will be food events and tents for the whole family to enjoy.        

A traditional Spaghetti Dinner will be served both nights, August 9th and 10th. The dinner is the longest-lived event of the festival and is so big that it has its own tent. It will be served 4:30–8pm in the food court area, which is near the Beer Garden, so the two most popular food treats will be next to each other. (If you have any German heritage, you know that beer is considered a food for adults and is almost as necessary as bread.) The dinner benefits the Colorado Professional Firefighters Foundation, and two dozen volunteers from West Metro Fire Rescue will work in shifts to feed the crowds.

The Beer Garden, despite the name, will not be limited to beer and will offer a wide variety of beverages for the entire family. The Wheat Ridge Rotary Club has teamed up with Budweiser and Breckenridge Brewery to offer a great selection. This is the biggest major fundraising event for the Rotary Club each year. Funds raised at the festival will remain in the community by way of scholarships and funds for local non-profit organizations.

Another great Wheat Ridge tradition is the Pancake Breakfast held on Saturday morning before the Carnation Festival parade. The breakfast, 7-9:30 am, includes ham, eggs, pancakes, coffee and juice. There is no cost but a donation per person is always welcome and greatly appreciated. The breakfast is a chance to meet and greet neighbors at the Wheat Ridge Grange Hall.  It is also the perfect time to view a fine historical building while filling up on carbs that will sustain you throughout the parade. Funds raised from the breakfast will help the Wheat Ridge Grange continue the exceptional work that it does with youth in the community.

To polish off the day, check out the Pie Competition.  At the previous year's event, competitors ranged from 16 to 90 years of age and all the pies were sweet/fruit pies.  This year, there will be two categories: 1) Dessert pie and 2) All-Colorado Dessert Pie, and extra judges have been invited to participate.  To compete for the blue ribbon please fill out the application below.  Bring pies to the food court main tent on Saturday, August 10th from 1:30-2:50 pm.  The public is invited to bid on the pies after the judging is complete.