Niwot gets lucky

Niwot became a hub for some early St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Saturday, March 9. Lucky Niwot Day brought crowds to Niwot to enjoy St. Patrick's Day-themed fun throughout town.

In Cottonwood Square, Avoca Irish Dancers performed outside Blessings Day Spa, and later in the day, Ceili Irish social dancing lessons were in full swing at the Left Hand Grange.

In Old Town, children, and some adults, had their faces painted at Cimmini's and then walked a couple doors down to Niwot Jewelry & Gifts for a temporary green tattoo. Irish dancers made an appearance on the patio outside of 2nd Nature Hair salon. Fly Away Home Decor was the Cottonwood Square destination for tattoos, as well as the Cottonwood stop for a horse-drawn carriage.

A genuine Irish fairy roamed the streets causing mischief for those lucky enough to run into her, and a leprechaun duo, created by Chris Davis, also added to the fun. The Niwot Inn & Spa provided Irish yard games, coloring book pages, stickers and slap bracelets, and even lucky green lemonade for party-goers.

Carissa Brandes, one of the owners of the Niwot Inn & Spa, was concerned about the weather on Thursday but felt lucky and grateful that the weather turned out beautifully for the Saturday event. "I was getting worried about running a lemonade stand and games [on Friday]," said Brandes. Luck struck Niwot as the weather turned out to be more than ideal.

The Niwot Group at Compass office provided a pot of gold children could dig into for a chance to win up to $100 in cash. The lucky winner of the $100 prize went to young Ms. Raabe, but no one left empty-handed. Anyone who participated could win any amount from $1 to $10.

Cimmini's face painting turned out to be one of the most successful elements of Lucky Niwot Day. Corey Alexander, face painter and entertainer, had a busy line throughout the afternoon. Kids were lined up down the street waiting to get their faces painted.

Alexander was not just great with kids, but also kept the parents entertained. "Growing up, I really wanted to disappoint my parents," said Alexander in a satiric tone. "So I became a full-time artist and entertainer...after my parents paid for five years of college."

Niwot Lucky Day was fun for everyone.