Great Pumpkin Party returns to Niwot on Oct. 30

What has thousands of legs and puts on a disguise to invade downtown Niwot each October? The annual Great Pumpkin Party and Parade, a family-friendly celebration of all things fall and Halloween.

"The people make it good," longtime Niwot realtor and event sponsor Pat Murphy said. "Seeing all of the costumes that everyone comes up with and working with all of the volunteers is my favorite part."

The free festivities, sponsored by the Niwot Business Association with support from the Niwot Local Improvement District, kick-off at 10 a.m. when businesses along 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square will be open for trick-or-treating. The first of three magic shows by Anne Lincoln starts at 10:15 a.m., and a farm animal petting zoo will open at Murphy's office, The Niwot Group-Compass (7925 Niwot Rd.), at 10:30 a.m. For that extra touch of fall, old-fashioned hayrides will also start at 10:30 a.m.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Niwot event without live music, this time courtesy of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, playing "I Want Candy."

Everyone is invited to participate in the Halloween costume parade on 2nd Avenue, beginning at Left Hand Corner (2nd Avenue & Niwot Rd.). Marchers should plan to be there by 11:20 a.m., with the precession starting at 11:30 a.m. Afterwards, all dogs are welcome to participate in Left Hand Animal Hospital's dog costume contest, a newer tradition that is quickly growing in popularity.

"I think people are ready to get together," Murphy said. "Everybody's ready to laugh."

Speaking of volunteers, prior to the parade, Murphy will also be announcing the recipient of the 2021 Golden Hammer Award for behind the scenes community service, an honor created in memory of Curtis Lizakowski, who built the bandstand at Whistle Stop Park. Past recipients include Tim Wise, Bill and Jill Whitener, Chuck Klueber, the late Rosemary Bruce, and Murphy herself.

"Everybody comes to the plate, and that's just a blessing" Murphy said of the many volunteers who help her make the Great Pumpkin Party a success each year. "This year, they were all ready to go."

For more information about the 2021 Great Pumpkin Party, contact Pat Murphy's Niwot Group-Compass Realty office at 303-652-2626