Around the World Day coming back to Niwot

Around the World Day is returning to Niwot for the fourth year in a row on Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with 26 businesses participating in spreading cultural exposure and celebration. Around the World Day is Niwot's one-day version of the World Showcase in EPCOT.

"We started the event in 2020," said Deb Fowler, one of the organizers of Around the World Day. "It was a good way to get people outdoors to socialize safely and bring people to the businesses during that time." Fowler said it was such a success, they have brought it back every year since.

Dana Jones, one of Fowler's colleagues, especially enjoys this event because it's so different from the other community and business engaging events. Showcasing various cultures is "an opportunity to try different foods, listen to music, and get exposed to what other regions have to offer," Jones said. The theme differs from any other Niwot event and others in the area.

Slifer Smith & Frampton, for example, will be representing India by offering mango lassi (a creamy, fruit-based beverage) and henna tattoos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Niwot Jewelry & Gifts will be providing German pretzel necklaces and beer as well as an accordian player from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Chico's Grooming Spa plans on representing Mexico with margaritas and tapas.

One of the highlights from Lucky Niwot Day, ceili Irish dancers, will return to the Left Hand Grange as they represent Ireland during the event. "It was such a fun, free experience of social dancing," said Fowler, "we just had to bring it back." Free Irish dance lessons will be offered at the Left Hand Grange from 2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will perform in Cottonwood Square at 3 p.m., featuring music related to various places around the world, from Harlem to Memphis, and Jamaica to Africa. "We always have some fun with this concert," band coordinator Biff Warren said. "Where else can you hear covers of music by The Rolling Stones, Glenn Miller, Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Walsh, Mussorgsky, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Toto, and Harry Belafonte, all on the same program? And there are fabulous prizes for the first person to identify the place associated with the song."

Throughout the event, there will not only be cultural food, beverage, activities, and music, but also some giveaways. Children's activities for all ages will be scattered through town, including face painting, a caricature artist, balloon artists, and (felt) bird decorating at Pebble Art Jewelry.

Students from the St. Vrain Valley Schools Innovation Center will document the event by taking photos and videos throughout the day. This will not only provide Niwot with marketing tools for the event but will also provide students the opportunity to use the videography and editing skills learned at the Center.

Around the World Day is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association (NBA) and funded in part by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID). You can find out more before the event with a full schedule of participants and activities by visiting Niwot.com.