Hayden Daze, the town’s annual opportunity for residents and visitors to come together, returns Friday and Saturday at Dry Creek Park.

The celebration of family-friendly fun, local pride and community connection is organized by the town of Hayden’s Parks and Recreation Department and Arts Commission. This year’s event will include live music, tournaments, inflatables, a beer garden, artisan vendors and the return of community favorites such as the Hayden parade.

“Hayden is a town that’s growing and changing,” said Recreation Programs Director Rhonda Sweetser. “Events like Hayden Daze help us hold onto that strong sense of community, and they provide a chance for neighbors to meet neighbors and for families to celebrate across generations.”

From pioneer picnics to paint-by-numbers

Hayden Daze has roots that stretch back to the 1920s and ’30s, when Routt and Moffat County residents gathered for the annual Pioneer Picnic. The modern version took shape in 1978 with the founding of Hayden Appreciation Day by Bobby Robinson Sr. and the Hayden Chamber of Commerce.

Originally held to honor the community’s workers and industries, the event featured barbecue, games, parades and even a Colorado Air National Guard flyover. It has since evolved into Hayden Daze, a celebration that preserves tradition while embracing new energy and activities each year.

“This year, we’re especially excited to add a community mural to the event,” said Sarah Stinson, Hayden’s Arts and Events Director. “We’ve commissioned a local artist to create a giant 8-by-8 paint-by-number mural that attendees can help bring to life. It’ll be mounted in the Hayden Center after the event. It’s a beautiful way to reflect who we are as a community.”

A weekend lineup built for all ages

Festivities begin Friday evening at Dry Creek Park. Music will start with the Andy Straus Duo from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the Warden Jilson Band until 10 p.m.

Saturday kicks off early with activities starting at 8 a.m. Events include disc golf, volleyball and yoga on the green. The annual Hayden Parade begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by the full festival launch at 11 a.m. There will also be artisan vendors, a beer garden, food trucks, inflatables and live music from Highline Trio and the Lucas Motet Duo.

For kids, this year’s inflatable play areas are expected to be the largest yet.

“We went big,” said Nash Welch, Program and Event Coordinator for the Town of Hayden. “There should be quite a few of them out there, more than we’ve ever had before.”

A place to gather and belong

More than just a weekend party, Hayden Daze reflects the deep ties residents have to their town and serves as a way to ensure new families feel welcome.

“We want to make this event something for everyone,” said Sweetser. “We’ve added events to include middle and high schoolers. We’re always thinking about how to bring in our seniors and keep them engaged too.”

Stinson added, “Hayden’s always been a tight-knit community. But this is one of those events where you really see people getting together who maybe didn’t know each other before. It’s our biggest event of the year and people get excited for it months in advance.”

For Sweetser, some of the most powerful moments come from seeing those multi-generational connections take shape.

“You’ll see grandparents, parents and grandkids all enjoying the same event together,” she said. “You’ll hear someone say, ‘I’ve seen you before, but we’ve never really talked.’ And suddenly, you’ve got that wonderful neighborly connection.”

Building momentum, year after year

Planning for Hayden Daze starts in January with meetings between the Hayden Parks and Recreation Board and the Arts Commission. Sweetser said collaboration between the boards and the town council is critical to the event’s success.

“Our town council supports this event in a big way, both financially and through encouragement,” she said. “Each year, we try to make it a little better through small, thoughtful additions that help the event grow without overwhelming our resources.”

While Dry Creek Park provides ample space for Hayden Daze and its events, Stinson noted that the need for additional community volunteers is becoming more important.

“We’re realizing our current personnel can only go so far,” she said. “The boards do an amazing job, but as Hayden Daze grows, we’re hoping to involve even more members of the community to help make it even better.”

A reflection of Hayden’s heart

Whether residents have been in Hayden for generations or have just moved in, Hayden Daze offers a moment to slow down, connect and celebrate the history and trajectory of the community. 

“It’s a way to show off who we are and what makes this place special,” said Welch. “We don’t need to go to Steamboat or Craig for a great event. We’ve got one right here in our own backyard.”

As Hayden continues to grow, the event remains a reminder that small-town spirit doesn’t fade. Instead, it evolves, flourishes and welcomes everyone to join in.

For more information on the 2025 Hayden Daze event, contact Rhonda Sweetser at Rhonda.Sweetser@HaydenColorado.org or Sarah Stinson at Sarah.Stinson@HaydenColorado.org.