The Jackalope Arts Festival is set to return to Olde Town Arvada on Aug. 5 and 6 after hosting last year’s festival in the historic district for the first time. Over 150 local artisans will set up vendor booths along 57th Avenue and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, including Two Ravens Soap Company, Daddy’s Homemade, Mindful Works, Something to Cherish, and others.
The festival hosts fairs in Pasadena, Calif., Burbank, Calif., Minneapolis and in the Denver area; the fair has been held in Arvada for the past two years. The festival showcases local artists and artisans who make primarily handmade, sustainable goods.
Last year, Jackalope co-founder Melissa Kohout — an Arvada native — reached out to the Olde Town Business Improvement District to see if Olde Town — which at the time had undergone numerous renovations in service of the semi-permanent pedestrian mall project — would be able to host Jackalope. Kohout said she was drawn to the area’s renewed focus on arts.
“I love it. I love the murals, I think they’re so artistic and I think it really goes well with Jackalope,” said Kohout in 2021. “I love all the restaurants and shops in Olde Town, so it’s fun to just sort of add to it and hopefully all of us work together to bring more people to Arvada.”
Jackalope will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 6. Admission is free to the public.
