Each year, the people of North Park get together to celebrate their community. The isolation, and tenacity needed to live in this beautiful, yet rugged place is a common bond that residents share. Summertime is a season to explore the mountains, lakes, and forests of Jackson county, but also a time of year when everyone can get out and reconnect with the community. Mild weather, sunny days (and maybe some mosquitos) make for long days of fun in the summer sun!
With Rodeo weekend in the rearview mirror, there’s still so much going on in Walden! North Park Days are a great way to cut loose and get away from those hot summer days at lower elevations. Do all of these events and activities have cultural significance or relate to the history of the area? If you count our ability to have a great time any season of the year, then yes!
In Walden, CO, we know how to have fun and have been keeping ourselves entertained for the last 136 years! North Park Days are the perfect excuse to get out of the city and avoid the resort towns and traffic of the mess they call I-70! Come join us for a weekend of great fun and awesome people!
What’s Going On At This Year’s North Park Days?
This year North Park Days will be held on the lawn of the historic Jackson County Courthouse. From inflatable water bounce houses to dog agility trials, melodramas, quilt shows, and more, there’s going to be plenty of things to see and do this summer in Walden!
Fun facts about the Courthouse
The Jackson County courthouse has been part of the Walden scenery since its construction in 1913. This building was designed by prominent architect at the time, William N. Bowman. You might recognize some of his other works throughout Colorado and the West.
Once a part of Larimer County, Jackson County was originally called North Park County until the moniker of Jackson County was settled on to distinguish it from Park County.
The courthouse was quarried from local sandstone, as well as the IOOF building on Main Street in Walden (also designed by Bowman). These buildings have existed right along through the years and resonate with the spirit and character of the people who call North Park home.
So Many Activities!
We’ve got things going on all-day long in Walden, CO. Here are some of the non-scheduled events happening throughout the day.
- Sidewalk Chalk Art: the sidewalks will come alive at the Jackson County Courthouse with sidewalk chalk art. Check out how creative people can be or try out your own skills with chalk!
- Storytime with Leroy Brown: Beloved local children’s book character, Leroy Brown the Sheep, will be making an appearance at North Park Days. Stop by for story time and to see Leroy himself!
- Bubble Station: Have tons of sudsy fun at the bubble station. It’s bubble-tastic!
- Sawdust Treasure Hunt: Find your inner prospector and dig for buried treasure in the sawdust pile!
- Snow Cones, Cotton Candy, Lemonade: Cool off and enjoy the good life with these chilly treats!
- Giant Jenga: The most fun you can have with giant building blocks and friends.
- Inflatable Water Slide: Let the kids cool off with this inflatable water slide/bounce house
- Goat Therapy with JJ’s Second Chance Holds: Nothing but good vibes and goats to see here, folks! Perfect to help you wind down after a long day at the event!
- Foam Pit: Hey kids! Jump in and have some fun in the foam pit! (Parents will be happy to let them burn off all that energy before getting in the car again).
Scheduled Activities
- Line Dancing 9-11am: For beginners and long-time line dancers alike, have a blast learning a new line dance or kicking up your heels with an old favorite.
- 4-H Dog Club Agility Trials 10-12am : Our local 4-H Dog Club is putting on a demonstration of their canine course for speed and agility. Check out what these brilliant and talented pups can do!
- Cornhole Tournament 11am : The game of backyard royalty, show off your skills in cornhole for prizes and prestige!
- North Park Pioneer Players 11:30-12:30 : The North Park Pioneer Players are putting on a matinee showing of their play, the Treasure of Shiver River. Here’s your chance to meet the players and round up your tickets! Tickets for each performance are $20.
- The Treasure of Shiver River 1-2pm : Written, directed, and performed by our very own local theatre troupe, the play will be showing at the Old Gymnasium on 5th and Washington St. in Walden. Get ready to boo and hiss the villain, and cheer for the hero! A night performance will be happening on Friday night at 7pm.
- Gypsy Karaoke 12-3:30 : Grab your friends and sing your guts out for the crowd with Gypsy Karaoke!
- Field Day Games 2-3pm: Three Legged Race, Sack Race, Water Balloon Toss, Egg Race: Just like the old days at school, you put your teams together and compete for clout and fun prizes!
- Facepainting 11-3pm: What summer event could be complete without face painting? Bring the kids and show off your wild side with animal designs, sports team logos, or anything else the artists can paint you with!
Craft and Vendor Show
Local artisans and talented creatives have been working hard all winter and spring to bring out their best for North Park Days. It’s the perfect place to find that unique gift. Great for graduations, back to school, birthdays, or even set it aside for Christmas. You’ll find artwork, apparel, food, scents and lotions, glass works, and so much more. It’s a great way to discover local businesses as well as meet and greet organizations that serve the community!
Visit the North Park Pioneer Museum
On the west side of the courthouse, you’ll see a building that was lifted straight out of the 19th Century. The North Park Pioneer Museum is a repository of local heritage and history, spanning the decades all the way back to the region’s early beginnings. With self-guided tours and even some hands-on exhibits, it’s a great place to familiarize yourself with local history.
Never Summer Quilt show
The theme of this year’s Never Summer Quilt show will be Vintage. Running July 19-20th, you’ll get a chance to see family quilts and other heirlooms from locals that have been treasured in local families for generations. The event will be held Saturday, July 19 from 9-3pm and Sunday July 20th from 9-2pm at the NP Baptist Church on north Main Street (look for the white steepled church next to Timberline Builder’s Supply). Stop in to vote for your favorite quilt and witness living history on display.
What Kind of Weather to Expect in Walden
Mid to late summer in North Park usually means clear, cool mornings with minimal cloud cover. But as we approach monsoon season in the Rocky Mountains, you might run into afternoon rain showers which tend to cool everything off during what would be the hottest part of the day. Remember that you are at altitude and sunscreen is important. It’s easy to get sunburn due to the thinner atmosphere. Be prepared for different weather, from hot days to rain throughout the summer in North Park. Like the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Colorado, wait ten minutes!
Where to Eat, Drink, and Stay!
If you would prefer to extend your visit to Jackson County beyond the 19th, check out some of our local hotels and accommodations on our webpage. We have several RV parks as well as VRBO or AirBnB vacation rentals in Walden, CO. Be sure to book in advance, as rooms can fill up fast. There’s also plenty of places to eat throughout the weekend, from the iconic River Rock Cafe to our newest addition in Walden, Mis Tres Reyes restaurant on 5th Street and Main.
Cool off with a drink at the Stockman Bar and Grill, which has been serving the community for generations at its historic Old West bar. The bar itself was imported from England in the 1800s and later split in half. The other piece of this mahogany treasure can be seen at the Lone Cone Saloon in Norwood, CO.
Come See Us On Our Anniversary!
It’s hard to believe Walden will be celebrating 136 years. What better way to mark the occasion than to visit a living part of Colorado’s past? As the dog days of summer approach, North Park Days is one of the best reasons to get out and enjoy the season while it lasts. Not far around the corner will be back to school time, turning leaves, and eventually winter. Enjoy a cool afternoon in the hottest time of year in Colorado. Get your face painted, see a melodrama, and stroll around the vendor show. It's the best excuse for going to the mountains in the middle of July if you ever needed one!
