Days are getting noticeably longer and calendars are filling fast as Summer quickly approaches. Make sure to keep the Weekend of June 3rd & 4th 2023 open to join us on Gregory Plaza for the weekend-long Black Hawk's Founders' Day Festival! Join us for great shopping, exciting live music, delicious food, a custom, local-brewed commemorative Founders’ Day Brew beer, local artisan vendors, mining and historical activities, and more!
The History of Black Hawk and Why We Celebrate Founders' Day
Black Hawk, Colorado began as a small mining camp as a part of Gregory Diggings. Gold was found in 1859, sparking a rush to the area which was still a part of the Kansas Territory. Miners flocked to the camp in the hopes of striking it rich, and the mining population quickly grew. The following year, in June of 1860, William L. Lee, Dr. Frederick H. Judd, and Mylo Lee founded the town of Black Hawk Point. In the Third Session of the Colorado Territorial Legislature, Black Hawk Point was incorporated on March 11, 1864, as the City of Black Hawk, establishing Black Hawk as the second incorporated city in the Territory of Colorado.
The city of Black Hawk recognizes the vital role it has played in the founding of Colorado and works still to preserve and display that history. Gregory Street, named after the original mining camp, is now home to Black Hawk’s HARD (History Appreciation and Recreation Destination) District.
2023 Black Hawk Founders' Day Schedule of Events
Black Hawk Founders' Day Hours:
Saturday June 3rd 2023: 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday June 4th 2023: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Explore Local Vendors at Founders' Day:
It wouldn’t be a proper Founders’ Day if we didn’t showcase some of the best goods made and available in Black Hawk. In addition to our HARD District retail options on Gregory Plaza (consisting of basin + bend, Mountain Poppy Boutique Gift & Wine Bar, and The Woodbury Collective), there will be 25 other vendors each day to peruse. You'll have the opportunity to shop for items such as:
- Jewelry
- Bath and body products
- Ceramics and pottery
- Painting and Illustration
- Home décor
- Crystals
- Fiber arts
- And more!
Indulge in Culinary Delights at Black Hawk's Founders' Day
Food trucks and dining options are coming from all over the local area! Don’t forget that Black Hawk’s HARD District already has some great dining options, including JKQ BBQ, located at the lower end of the HARD District, just opposite Gregory Plaza, in the historic Crook's Palace building. They will be serving their world-class food & drinks all day. Don’t miss our local favorites! Other confirmed food options on the plaza will include:
- YoNuts fresh donuts!
- Beau Jo's Pizza
- Ba-nom-a-nom Ice Cream
- Lucky Mary's Baking Company
- Lizeth's Tacos
Sip and Savor an Exquisite Beverage at Founders' Day
This year’s Founders’ Day celebration will feature the return of our custom brewed commemorative Founders Brew beer from Cabin Creek Brewery (while supplies last), served throughout the event! New this year, you'll also be able to enjoy a custom brewed Sarsaparilla from Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs. While on the Plaza, be sure to check out featured specialty drinks from:
- Two distillery options (lineup to-be-announced)
- JKQ BBQ and bar at Crook’s Palace
- Mountain Poppy’s Wine Bar on the Plaza
Sounds of Joy: Enjoy the Live Music Extravaganza at Founders' Day!
With the expansion of Founders’ Day to two days in 2023, there will be twice the opportunity to take in some stellar live music on Gregory Plaza. With a different lineup each day, you're sure to find something that is music to your ears!
Saturday Lineup:
- 11:00am - 12:30pm : Queen Bees
- 1:00pm - 2:30pm : Ryan Shupe
- 3:00pm - 4:30pm : Sugar Britches
- 5:30pm - 7:00pm : Grateful Dead All-Star Set
Sunday Lineup:
- 11:00am - 12:30pm : Taylor Scott Duo
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm : Rapidgrass
- 3:30pm - 5:00pm : Kory Montgomery Band
We hope you'll be able to join us for the return of Black Hawk's very own heritage celebration and kickoff the beginning of a wonderful Summer! Enjoy some images from last year!
