After yet another move, the 98th Arvada Harvest Festival returned from Sept. 8 through 10, bringing food and festivities to celebrate fall. 

The festival was held at Clear Creek Valley Park this year, with the parade hosted on 58th Avenue. Last year’s festival was held on 58th alongside the parade, with previous festivals before the pandemic held in Olde Town. 

The switch came after discussions between the City of Arvada and the festival’s organizers — the Arvada Junior Chamber Foundation, or Jaycees — about moving the festival back to Olde Town. Disagreement between the Jaycees and city about how the festival should be organized led to the festival moving to Clear Creek Valley Park.

“It went really well,” Jude Teter – Chair of the Harvest Festival Committee — said. “The music was amazing, the bands were wonderful. We had a lot more families than were expected.”

Despite the move, the festival retained many of its usual celebrations, kicking off the weekend on Sept. 8 with a petting zoo and movie in the park.

On Sept. 9, the Grande Parade made its way down 58th Avenue, with many local businesses, schools and organizations strutting down the street. The following day, festivities wrapped up with a car show and pie eating contest. Throughout the weekend, food trucks, live music and vendor booths filled the park. 

“I’m thankful for all of the people that supported us this year at the new location,” Teter said. “Hopefully they’ll come back next year to give us a chance to do it better and keep it going. With the new site, we are still working out the logistics and placement of things, but we have a better idea of how to configure the festival next year."