The ice is starting to thaw, the birds are returning and the Arvada festival season is already underway. Winterfest — the Arvada Festivals Commission’s annual celebration of diverse culture — was held in McIlvoy Park on Feb. 25, with over 3,000 people coming to celebrate.

This year’s Winterfest kicked off with an ugly sweater contest alongside a pet parade, followed by Red Feather Woman — a Native American vocalist — who then ceded the stage to Mariachi Sangre Mexicana. The event was closed out with a Dragon and Lion Dance put on by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center.

Along with the showcases, free carriage rides throughout Olde Town were offered during the festival. Live ice sculpting — a favorite from preview years — also returned, as did the Olde Town Business Improvement District’s beer garden.

Adelle Burton, Arvada’s special events coordinator, said Winterfest was a great kickoff to the festival season — which includes events like the Arvada Kite Festival and Arvada Days.

"The Arvada Festivals Commission always loves kicking off the new event season with Arvada Winterfest,” Burton said.

This year, the coldest thing at the event was the ice sculpture by Colorado Ice Works, Burton added. 

“We had beautiful weather all day long while guests enjoyed the pet ugly sweater contest, dancing with the Red Feather Woman, dragon and lion dances by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center, and of course the beer garden hosted by the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District,” Burton continued. “We love being able to bring free fun to Arvada and hope to see you at Kite Fest in April."

This year’s Arvada Winterfest was the second iteration of the event held since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event into hiatus. Winterfest was first held in 2018.