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Description and history of event:

The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival began in 1969 when the city of Wheat Ridge was first born.  It is one of the oldest and longest running festivals in the state of Colorado.  The name of the festival honors the slogan “Carnation Capital of the World” that was given to the area long ago when Wheat Ridge and the surrounding area actually numbered 32 different growers at one time!  During the 1960’s, a bouquet of fresh carnations was delivered to the White House every Monday morning and displayed in the front foyer with a card stating: “With compliments to our nation’s capital, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Carnation City.”

The Carnation Festival continues to celebrate the city’s heritage and bring the community together each year in August for an annual end of summer celebration.  As it enters it’s 48^th year, the Carnation Festival will be re-energized with several new elements that create even more “festival fun” for attendees.  The Carnation Festival, Inc. is a registered 501c3 non-profit, volunteer organization with the sole purpose of producing the Annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival for the benefit of the community and numerous non-profit groups in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Special Features:

The two+ day annual festival features ongoing live music on the main stage, a large beer garden and an expanded food court with specialty food vendors.  The Festival features a full size carnival with games, rides, and delicious concessions including the famous funnel cake!  Also featured is an Italian circus, the famous spaghetti dinner (both nights), two nights of fireworks, as well as crafts, merchandise and fantastic fun!  Be sure to check out the Fine Art Show, Carnation Parade and the sizzling Chili Cook-Off!

Main Attractions:  

FIREWORKS, ZOPPÉ CIRCUS, PARADE, CARNIVAL, ART SHOW, & CHILI COOK-OFF

One of the favorite attractions of the Carnation Festival is two nights of spectacular fireworks and adding to the draw is the Zoppé Italian Family Circus, which joined the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival in 2012.  This vintage circus has grown in popularity each year.  One of the last one-ring traveling circuses left in the U.S., the Zoppés bring their enchanting exhibition of old world European circus to Wheat Ridge as the festival’s main attraction.  The Zoppé family entertains audiences in the same grand tradition as their ancestors did over 160 years ago.

The annual Carnation Parade rolls down the 38th Ave. Main Street in Wheat Ridge every year.  Featuring local schools, businesses, and organizations that always show up to have fun and impress the crowd!  Bring the children down to enjoy the beautiful decorated floats and marching bands.

Back by popular demand, is the full-size family carnival featuring rides, games, and all the concessions you can eat!  Bring the whole family to enjoy rides sure to entertain the thrill seekers and little tykes alike.  Come for the food, stay for the fun!

The Wheat Ridge Art League hosts a fine art show each year at the Carnation Festival, which showcases local artists’ talents with varying mediums.  The Art League collaborates with young, budding artists from surrounding schools to support art among multi-generations at the benefit of the entire community.

The Chili Cook-Off is adding some extra spice this year by partnering with the Chili Appreciation Society to offer a sanctioned chili cook-off!  See if your chili can stand the heat of this growing competition by entering, or lend your tastebuds for testing.

There are numerous sponsorship opportunities for the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival that offer every sponsor a beneficial partnership within their budget and marketing goals.  We invite you to support the festival in a variety of ways.  The Festival is a non-profit organization, which seeks to offer a family friendly event that celebrates the birthday of our beloved Wheat Ridge.  Please consider sponsoring the Carnation Festival.