Join Localworks and the community of Wheat Ridge on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 from 2-8 p.m. at the Green (7101 W. 38th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) for the highly-anticipated annual Ridgefest! In celebration of all of the businesses and people that make Wheat Ridge special, this year’s Ridgefest will have a theme that encompasses everything that makes Wheat Ridge exceptional. This event is one of the best ways for us to connect as a community and celebrate the amazing place we call home. There is no place like Wheat Ridge!

Ridgefest has grown to be a community-favorite event and Localworks wants to give you even more to love. In partnership with the Clear Creek Makerspace, Localworks is going to hold the first annual button designing contest!

Looking to volunteer for the event? We NEED you. Learn about the opportunities and sign up here. 

What is a button contest? – CONTEST CLOSED 

Localworks wants to start a new tradition for the City of Wheat Ridge! On March 1st, we will begin accepting illustrations to be entered into our contest. The winning design will be utilized as both a functional and fashionable accessory at Ridgefest 2023. We encourage everyone to submit something! We want to see designs from all ages and backgrounds. The contest will take place over the month of March; all button designs will need to be submitted by 5:00 pm on April 28th. For those who would like to participate, we encourage you to design at your leisure as there will be no advantage to turning in a design early. From there, Localworks staff and the Localworks events committee will review all of the entries and pick a winner based on the criteria described below. The first place winner will be presented to the City of Wheat Ridge and adapted onto a button for the whole city to wear at Ridgefest and to take home as a keepsake. Localworks will also create an archive of the button winners to be looked back on for years to come.

All buttons will be free of charge and will act similarly to a wristband at certain participating food/drink locations; however, details for that will be released closer to the event date once all vendors are finalized. Those attending the event can pick up a button at the Clear Creek Makerspace (CCM) booth located within the Makers on the Ridge section. At the CCM booth we will be showing the process of making the button as a live demonstration. If that is not of interest to you, we will have pre-made to pick up as well.

How do I create a successful entry?

The main parameter for the contest is that the design must incorporate this year’s theme. The 2023 Ridgefest theme is “No Place Like Wheat Ridge!” Think Emerald City, ruby slippers, the yellow brick road, or anything Wizard of Oz related. There will be premade circle templates located at a few Wheat Ridge businesses; however you can create your own circle to design on as long as it is no larger than 11 inches in diameter. Please be aware that the winning entry will be reduced to fit on a 2.25 inch button. There is no limit on the number of colors you can use; however, for a clear image, please use a white background! All artwork must be original. Original computer-generated graphics are permitted, but clip art will not be accepted. You are welcome to provide a brief description of your design, although it’s not necessary! The design itself is meant to capture the theme.

Your design must include:

• The theme: There’s no place like Wheat Ridge (Wizard of Oz)
• The words: Ridgefest
• The year: 2023
• Your signature(s)

More information about Ridgefest

Ridgefest is one of the largest events that Localworks hosts each year. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, June 24th from 2:00-8:00 p.m. This year we are both honoring event traditions and introducing some new elements. Ridgefest will include a kids zone, food and drink vendors (including a custom cocktail to celebrate Wheat Ridge!), a lineup of live music for the entire event, a cornhole tournament and the first annual Makers on the Ridge in celebration of Localworks’ Clear Creek Makerspace.
This event will not require registration and there are no entry fees to attend. Some event elements do require additional information and registration, including the cornhole tournament and Makers on the Ridge. More information about the cornhole tournament is below. 

Vendors at Ridgefest include: Renewal by Andersen, Applewood Community Foundation, Edward Jones, Golden Camp Bow Wow, Safari Smiles, Personal Achievement Martial Arts.

Registration is OPEN for the Cornhole Tournament

More information about Makers on the Ridge

Makers on the Ridge hosted by Clear Creek Makerspace, a program powered by Localworks, supports the growing creative and maker community in Wheat Ridge and in the surrounding Denver Metro area. You may remember last year we brought Maker Faire to Ridgefest, a nationally recognized brand that allowed makers to come demonstrate and sell their products. We received astounding positive support from the community about this addition to the event. As we continue to aspire to open Clear Creek Makerspace right here in our community, we are taking our love and support of Wheat Ridge’s deep artistic and maker roots back to the community with Makers on the Ridge. This event is for anyone who likes to learn, make, build or create. Participants can include tech-enthusiasts, crafters, scientists, garage tinkerers, artists and more. Think of Makers on the Ridge as a craft faire focused on the creators. At this event you can buy handmade goods, talk to artists about the process they use to make their art, learn a new skill, or network with local artisans, makers and creators.

Apply to have a booth at Makers on the Ridge during Ridgefest 2023

Anyone who feels that they love to make something, anything at all, are encouraged to apply for a booth. Makers on the Ridge will be fully outdoors and is in tandem with Ridgefest on Saturday, June 24th, 2023. Makers that are accepted should anticipate being at the event (including set up and clean up) from 12-8 p.m. To be considered for a vendor booth at Makers on the Ridge you must fill out this application. Review of all applications will take place immediately after the April 1st deadline and all applicants will be updated on their status and next steps if appropriate. Click here to learn more and apply today!
In the pursuit of education and supporting small makers we are offering a fee reimbursement to any maker who is not selling products at their booth. Educators, demonstrators, makerspaces and organizations are especially encouraged to utilize this reimbursement.

Call for Chalk Artists

In celebration of all of the businesses and people that make Wheat Ridge special, this year’s Ridgefest will have a theme that encompasses everything that makes Wheat Ridge exceptional. The event will include food trucks, local beverages, kids activities, a Makers on the Ridge fair and activation of 38th Ave. through chalk art. This event is one of the best ways for us to connect as a community and celebrate the amazing place we call home. There is no place like Wheat Ridge! 

The goal of the chalk art contest for this year’s Ridgefest is to activate the entire 38th Ave. business corridor from Wadsworth to Sheridan Blvd. We are seeking chalk art artists, both those that may have participated in previous festivals as well as those that are looking to try this for the first time. Chalk art will be drawn outside of participating businesses sidewalks the day before Ridgefest, on Friday, June 23rd. You must draw your art on Friday, June 23rd, 2023. You can begin your chalk art any time on Friday, June 23rd, but it must be completed by 8 p.m. Chalk artists will be given a 4×4 square space and are encouraged to design art that leans into this year’s theme, There’s No Place Like Wheat Ridge. Think Wizard of Oz, but Wheat Ridge themed. Localworks will facilitate a judging contest that will include a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize, along with a people’s choice. Are you interested in participating? Email reception@wearelocalworks.org to get signed up or ask any questions you may have!