Great Pumpkin Party returns to Niwot

The Great Pumpkin Party is one of Niwot's most beloved traditions, with costumed children of all ages, often accompanied by pets dressed up as well, going trick-or-treating at Niwot businesses in Old Town and Cottonwood Square.

This year, the event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And as is customary, 2nd Avenue will be closed briefly at 11:30 a.m. for a children's parade. The 2-block affair kicks off with a choral performance by students from Niwot Elementary School in the parking lot at Left Hand Corner at 11:20 a.m., followed by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band leading the children west on 2nd Avenue to the tune of "I Want Candy."

A dog costume contest will take place at the Old Oak Coffeehouse after the parade. Hayrides will be available between Old Town and Cottonwood Square from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and magic shows are scheduled in Cottonwood Square at 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The Niwot High School Key Club is hosting a Haunted House at the former Feed Store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, and funded by the Niwot Local Improvement District, with Pat Murphy of Niwot Real Estate - Compass as event champion.

"The Great Pumpkin Party started over 25 years ago when the Wises, the Knochs and myself got together at Rev Taylor's," Murphy recalled. "Erma Knoch gave it the name of The Great Pumpkin Party." Tim and Carrie Wise still operate Wise Buys Antiques in Niwot, and Jim and Erma Knoch owned the Niwot Antique Emporium at 136 2nd Avenue for many years.

Murphy has fond memories of the event, which has become a mainstay of the community. "The weather over the years has mostly cooperated but we had a blizzard one time with over a foot of snow," she said. "We canceled but a few people showed up while we were shoveling. It's just a great morning with more and more families dressing up as a group. Tim Wise and his son Josh were Batman and Robin for the first year. We bobbed for apples one year. [It was] pretty unsanitary, never did it again. It's just one of my favorite days."