Buffalo Bill Days - Best of the West Parade

My family and I have always loved parades. To me, there's just such a great sense of community that comes with watching all sorts of folks march down the main street to celebrate a holiday or a local festival of some sort. Last weekend was Buffalo Bill Days in Golden. One of the highlights of this celebration each year is the Best of the West Parade, which flows right down Washington Avenue, right underneath the city's famous welcome arch. After a couple of years without the parade (cuz, you know...COVID), it was great to have it back.

The origins of this annual celebration began back in the 1960's, but its genesis has to do with trail rides to Buffalo Bill's grave that began in the 1940's. Buffalo Bill's final resting place sits atop Lookout Mountain, which towers over the city of Golden. One year, the riders went up the mountain, but when they came back down they continued through town. Shazam, the first Buffalo Bill Days Parade!

Nowadays the festival features the parade as well as events like a golf tournament, car show, muttin bustin, and more. It's a fantastic celebration of our Colorado western heritage, in one of my favorite Denver area spots! So what's not to love?

Living Wheel Park

The town of Parker came to be due to its important location at the intersection of the Cherokee Trail and the Smokey Hill Trail. The Twenty Mile House was a spot where travelers would stop, at the intersection of what is now Parker Road and Mainstreet. And yes, in Parker it's "Mainstreet," not "Main Street." A small park, Living Wheel Park, now sits at this location. It's not a park with picnic tables or playgrounds, but there are a few items worth taking a moment to appreciate.

One of the most prominent features is a large and detailed sculpture by Ralph Crawford called Run to Twenty Mile. It depicts a stagecoach drawn by six horses bringing travelers to Twenty Mile House. 

Though I love many of the art we find around the Denver area, pieces that celebrate our region's western heritage are often among my favorites. This piece is particularly detailed. I may be wrong, but one of the individuals riding in the stagecoach sure looks like he could be Buffalo Bill Cody.

Nearby, is a sculpture called Self Made Man by Bobbie K Carlyle. It depicts a man carving himself out of stone.

The actual wheel-shaped area that gives the park its name is dedicated to honoring our nation's military. The center of the wheel features a sculpture of an eagle called Patient Warrior. The piece is by sculptor Christopher Romero.

To the west side of the wheel, another sculpture serves as a memorial to all US veterans. The plague indicates that it exists as result of an Eagle Scout project conducted by a local youth.

Living Wheel Park is located at 18995 Mainstreet in Parker.

Howdy Folks!

Lookout Mountain, overlooking the city of Golden, Colorado, is the final resting place of famous wild west showman Buffalo Bill Cody.  As a result, Cody has become a symbol of Golden and the town loves to celebrate him.  This includes the city's annual Buffalo Bill Days celebration and an iconic statue of Cody in the heart of downtown Golden.

The statue, titled Howdy Folks, was created by artist Jeffery Burnham Rudolph.  It depicts Cody walking down the street carrying a child on his shoulders.  Of the many sculptures that can be found in downtown Golden, it is probably the most iconic.  You can find the statue in the median on Washington Avenue between 10th Street and the Clear Creek Bridge.  It's right across from the Golden Visitors & Information Center.