Saddle up for the big Golden summer event

Summertime in Golden is a time for celebrations and the season never falls short of fun things to do. But every year we have our own unique “big one” and it’s coming up later this month.

I’m talking about Buffalo Bill Days, which has been a Golden tradition since the 1940s. What started as a saddle club commemorative trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave has evolved into a three day festival filled with activities all over town. It keeps getting bigger and better every year and this year is no exception.

The Buffalo Bill Days Festival will be happening from Friday, July 24 through Sunday July 26.

The activities will be held in Parfet Park, the Lions Park ball fields and down Washington Avenue.

Parfet Park will pretty much be the center of activity. It’s located at 10th street and Washington Avenue. That’s where you will find arts and crafts booths, food, drink and beer vendors, bull riding, kids rides and the main performance stage. Things will be in full swing 5-10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The performance stage will have bands playing all three days with some great sounds covering almost every style of music. Friday you can catch Noisy Neighbor 5-6:30 p.m. with Chris Daniels and the Kings playing from 7-10 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule includes the Prohibition Six from noon-1:30 p.m. followed by Facing West from 2-4 p.m., Willie and the Po’ Boys from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with country star Brad Lee Schroeder hitting the stage 7-10 p.m.

Sunday’s performances start 10:30 a.m. with the Golden Center of Dance. The music kicks off with Magic Moments playing noon- 1:30 p.m. with Long Run, Colorado’s tribute to the Eagles finishing the day from 2-5 p.m.

Saturday has some special events starting out with the Golden Fire Department’s annual Pancake Breakfast from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the Fire Station at 10th and Arapahoe streets. That’s followed by the Best of the West parade down Washington Avenue from 10-11:30 a.m.

The really unique event will be a total reenactment of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show by Cody’s Wild West that includes everything from trick shooting and riding to Native American and Mexican dancing, a pipe and drum corps and even an old fashioned brass band. This will be happening from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Lions Park ball fields at 10th and Illinois streets.

Sunday’s special events start bright and early as well with the Community Worship Service at 9 a.m. on the Parfet Park stage. The classic Muttin’ Bustin’ contest, where little kids ride sheep rodeo style, takes place at the Lions Park ball fields starting at 11 a.m. and Washington Avenue will be filled with magnificent autos from the 15th Annual Orphan Car show and 12th Annual Classics and Street Rods car show taking place all afternoon. There’s even a Duck Race down Clear Creek at 1 p.m.

Last, but not least, there will be free “Lil’Spike” train rides down the Clear Creek Trail from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. They leave from the front of the Visitor’s Center.

It’s a great weekend to celebrate Golden’s rich western history. Most events are free to attend and you can find out more information at . It’s Golden’s biggest party of the year and I hope to see you there!

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