The streets of Evans came alive and the parks were bustling with activity Saturday as the city kicked off its annual Evans Heritage Days, filled with music, food and family fun.
The festivities started bright and early with an 8:30 a.m. pancake breakfast at City Park, 3929 Golden St. As attendees dug into piles of piping hot pancakes, topped with golden butter and drizzled with rich syrup, musician Patrick Hesse serenaded the crowd.
Of course, no celebration is complete without a parade, and the Evans community came out in full force with a variety of participants including marching bands, equestrian groups, floats, mariachi music, dancers, local businesses and organizations, and much more.
A group from Northern Colorado Dance Fusion marches during the 2022 Evans Heritage Day Parade near City Park and Riverside Park in Evans on September 17, 2022. The annual celebration includes a parade and other parties throughout the day. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
As the parade moved through the streets, adults, teenagers and children of all ages lined the sidewalks cheering and waving.
Cristina Saliz and her family recently moved to Evans from New Mexico. It was the family’s first Heritage Days celebration and to say they were surprised by the event would be an understatement.
“This is great! I’ve never lived anywhere where there was this kind of community celebration,” Saliz said. “It makes me feel so good to choose to live in Evans. To see so much community spirit is a great feeling.”
After the parade, the celebration moved to Riverside Park at 4000 Riverside Parkway for bounce houses, games, a vendor fair, music, food trucks and a beer garden, photo opportunities and meet and greets with princesses and superheroes and much, much more.
The Greeley West Marching Band marches in the parade during the 2022 Evans Heritage Day Parade near City Park and Riverside Park in Evans on Sept. 17, 2022. The annual celebration includes a parade and other festivities throughout the day. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Damian Hernandez, 7, was so excited about the event that he couldn’t decide what to do first.
“Umm, I like bouncy houses and I want to meet Superman,” the young man joked, looking around at all the activities being organized in the park. “And I want to see the firemen and go on the fire truck.”
The day’s events ended with a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m
For more information on upcoming events and activities in Evans, go to www.evanscolorado.gov.
Parade goers, including Gabriel Villegas, 7, in a gray hoodie, watch as a group from Anne K. Heiman Elementary marches in the parade during the 2022 Evans Heritage Day Parade near the City Park and Riverside Park in Evans on September 17, 2022. The annual celebration includes a parade and other festivities throughout the day. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
Source link
