Second annual Niwot Flower Fest in full bloom

The second annual Flower Fest on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Niwot's business district proved to be a resounding success, drawing in a large crowd eager to celebrate the beauty of summer blooms, local artistry, and community spirit. Event organizer Kathy Trauner, owner of Fly Away Home, expressed her delight, noting, "Visitors seemed to really enjoy themselves."

The festival's signature activity, the "Flower Journey," was a major hit. With 150 passports available for attendees to collect flowers from participating businesses, all were claimed by 10:30 a.m. Trauner estimated they had to turn away around 50 people who were hoping to grab one of the passports.

Looking forward, Trauner is not sure the event would be able to sustain more than 150 passports. "At a certain point, the number of flowers gets a bit unwieldy," she said.

This year, Trauner and event organizers introduced a staggered start system to prevent overwhelming participating businesses. This meant that those who got in line at 9 a.m. before the event started were given a number and told to come back at 10 a.m. "People were wonderful and seemed happy to work with us," Trauner said.

The Fest also featured about 40 vendors, brought in by organizers Angie Miltersen, owner of Few of a Kind Vintage, and Sarah Kleffner, owner of The Little Shop. Vendors included local farmers, artists, potters, jewelry makers, terrarium enthusiasts, food, vintage antique booths, and a chocolatier.

Attendees even had the opportunity to have their ears pierced at Sparkling Alchemy, a permanent jewelry stand that had come prepared with sterilization equipment. The MooMobile from Sweet Cow was also in attendance, providing sweet treats for those who wanted them.

Most participants' last stop was The Wheel House, where they were given a seed packet, and greeted with the delicious smells of brunch from La Musette, which designed a special menu for the Fest.

Many attendees had never gotten the chance to explore Niwot and spent the morning walking into businesses on Second Avenue and in Cottonwood Square, as well as checking out the different booths on the streets and enjoying music provided by Beloved Invaders and Music by Melody in Cottonwood Square, and Chicken Coop Willaye on 2nd Avenue.

Niwot businesses that participated in the Flower Journey included DRF Real Estate, The Wheel House, Blessings Day Spa, Belle Terre Floral, Inkberry Books, The Little Shop, Few of a Kind Vintage, Fly Away Home, Osmosis, Niwot Market, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, The Nook, Pebble Art Jewelry, and Wise Buys Antiques.

Trauner's favorite moments from the Flower Fest were seeing attendees enjoy the Flower Journey, vendors, and music, with many showing off their flower crowns– and a few wearing one they had received last year. "People seemed so tickled by the whole thing," she said.

The success of the Flower Fest was made possible by the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Trauner emphasized their importance. "On Friday, eight volunteers showed up to put the bulk of the flowers in water tubes. We had 1,700 stems, and the volunteers were amazing." At the Fest, volunteers worked to help people arrange their flowers in vases and collect entries for the prize drawing. Trauner said she is not sure the event would have gone off so smoothly without the volunteers.

The event was sponsored by the Niwot Business Association with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District.

It proved to be a beautiful Saturday for the second annual Flower Fest, making for the perfect day to walk Niwot and collect flowers, trinkets, and goodies.