MILLIKEN, Colo. — Milliken will celebrate its agricultural heritage during the 102nd Beef ’N Bean Day on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, with a downtown parade, community competitions, children’s activities and a free community meal.
The annual celebration dates to the early decades of the 20th century and remains one of Milliken’s best-known traditions. The Town of Milliken traces the event to 1923 and describes it as a celebration of the farming and ranching heritage that helped shape the community.
Most Saturday activities will take place at the Milliken Athletic Complex, 320 S. Centennial Drive. The pancake breakfast will be held at the firehouse, the parade will take place in downtown Milliken and Sunday’s gathering will move to Lola Park.
Saturday’s events will begin with a pancake breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. at the firehouse, hosted by Front Range Fire Rescue. The Beef ’N Bean Day parade will follow at 10 a.m. in downtown Milliken. Additional details for participants are available on the town’s official parade page.
Vendors, food trucks and free children’s activities will open at 11 a.m. at the Milliken Athletic Complex and continue until 6 p.m. Bounce houses and a foam pit are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., while the KidzQ Burger Competition will begin at 11:30 a.m. Registration and participation information for the festival’s competitions is available on the town’s contest page.
The car show will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and public judging for the bean and sourdough contests will continue from 12:30 to 4 p.m. A cornhole competition is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by a horseshoe tournament at 3:30 p.m. A beer garden will be open from 2 to 8:30 p.m.
Karaoke contests will be divided into three age groups. The teen division, for participants ages 13 to 17, will run from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The youth division, for children 12 and younger, will follow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and the adult division will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The town will serve a free community dinner and barbecue meal beginning at 6 p.m., with food available while supplies last. The evening will continue with a glow party from 7 to 9 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to wear clothing that will stand out under black lights. An evening finale show is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. to conclude Saturday’s celebration.
Beef ’N Bean Day will continue Sunday with a community church service at 10 a.m. at Lola Park. Milliken Presbyterian Church and Love Thy Neighbor Church will lead the outdoor service, with a barbecue to follow. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Registration information for parade entries, vendors and festival competitions is available through the town’s Beef ’N Bean Day webpage. The published schedule is subject to change.
