Western Welcome Week Parade 2021

I love parades! The Chicago suburb where I grew up always had a huge 4th of July Parade. In fact, every town in our area had their own big 4th of July parade. When I moved to Colorado, though, I was surprised that most towns didn't have such a celebration. I later found that was because they would have other summer parades instead. One of the biggest parades in the Denver area takes place each August in Littleton at the end of Western Welcome Week. 

The event dates back to 1929 and originally was intended to mark the 100th birthday of Littleton's founder, Richard Little. Over the years, the event has become an annual week-long celebration of the community and its western history.

The parade goes right down Main Street, through downtown Littleton, and always features a wide range of representatives from the Littleton community. You'll see police and fire departments, cub scouts, karate schools, theater groups, churches, and many more community organizations represented. There are also always plenty of equestrian entries in the parade; very appropriate considering our region's western heritage. Then there are the marching bands! All of the Littleton high schools bring out their bands and are joined by bands from neighboring communities like Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Aurora and Elizabeth. This year the long-distance travel award went to a band that came all the way from Pueblo.

Of course, last year the Western Welcome Week Parade didn't happen. I admit to having had a bit of an emotional swell as I watched this year. Seeing everybody back smiling and clapping and cheering was kind of magical. I took a ton of pictures, but I'm just going to share a handful here. It was an awesome celebration and it felt so good to be back!

Tubing on Clear Creek

When you visit a beach community, it is not uncommon to see folks walking through the streets in their swimsuits, carrying inflatable floating devices. That's not a common sight in Colorado, however. That is, unless you happen to be heading through Golden on a hot summer day. That's when the folks come out in droves to do some tubing down Clear Creek.

Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River that runs down from the mountains through various mountain communities, including Georgetown and Idaho Springs, before going through Clear Creek Canyon and reaching Golden. From there the creek continues on to Denver. Basically, the water that flows down the creek was once upon a time the mountain snow from the previous winter. Therefore, the creek is usually quite cool and refreshing.

Tubers often start in the vicinity of 6th Avenue and travel down the creek through downtown Golden. There are various places to pull over, so to speak, and then walk back up the Clear Creek Trail and go again. The creek flows into the property of Coors, so you have to stop before you get to the brewery.

Even if you decide to just kick off your shoes and dip your feet in the water, this section of Clear Creek is pleasant place to spend part of a warm day.