All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Enjoy the food, music, and culture of countries across the globe at Around the World in Niwot, a day long celebration of all things international on May 15 at businesses on 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square.
For months, Niwot has been the site of a string of events to give residents a reason to safely gather during the pandemic and keep them in front of local businesses.
These events have offered something to appeal to a wide range of interests. There have been fun runs, events for every holiday including St. Patrick's Day, scavenger hunts, window decorating contests, a whole-lifestyle approach to fitness in January, concerts, and sidewalk sales.
But an event coming up May 15 might be the most creative yet Niwot Around the World Day.
For this event, Niwot's businesses will each "adopt" a country and feature food, décor, music, and an overall cultural experience that represents their chosen region. Participants will walk throughout downtown and Cottonwood Square, discovering what each store has to offer. They'll mark off their visits on a passport and then vote for their favorite country. The sponsoring business that represented that country receives a prize.
The event is the brainchild of Kathy Trauner, owner of local business Fly Away Home. "So many of us are itching to travel and see new sites," she said. "Especially in Niwot and Boulder County in general -- we're a bunch of adventurers. This event is a nod to that spirit. We've also got a creative business community that will be both thoughtful and playful in putting things together."
The fun starts on May 15 at 10 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. As of press time, more than a dozen businesses were participating, Businesses "adopted" countries, with featured experience components are listed below, though some of these may change just prior to the event:
As they create their displays, businesses are looking to immerse visitors in their country's environment, and they're getting creative. Guests will be treated to experiences including bagpipes, French skincare, Spanish guitar music, pretzels and brats, ABBA music, macaroon sandwich cookies, Irish dancing, Peruvian chocolates, food trucks, pinatas, Russian tea and even South American alpacas visiting for the day.
While guests experience each store, they're likely to connect with neighbors and friends. "It's a big mishmash, "said Deborah Fowler of DRF Realty/ Colorado Landmark Realtors, who helped plan the Niwot Business Association event, which is partially funded by the Niwot Local Improvement District. "But it's something different, fun and educational for families to go to."
As with the other events, Fowler and other business owners who meet regularly are the coordinating force behind Niwot Around the World. They work on these events because they feel there's a benefit to both businesses and to the larger community.
The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, along with many other musicians located throughout the business district, will provide music appropriate to the day. Band organizer Biff Warren said, "We have a program planned that includes music from Africa to Brazil, Germany to Norway, England to Sweden, as well as various places throughout the U.S."
As one of Niwot's newer business owners, Julie Stenz of Blessings Day Spa is eagerly joining in. She's providing a French experience with a theme of skincare in Paris and is particularly appreciative of how the community works together on events.
"For me, the day is a chance to collectively emerge from the global challenges of last year and it's a creative way for Niwot businesses to collaborate and for the community to support our local shops," said Stenz. "We're excited to meet people, celebrate, and offer samples from the Guinot Paris skin care line. We can't wait."
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