BLACK HAWK — Pumpkins, costumes, games, music, and families filled the Livery Lot in Black Hawk on Saturday, October 10.

The weather couldn't have been better for an October day in the mountains. Partly sunny skies, a light breeze, and temps in the upper 60s kept the tomfoolery coming. Hundreds of people attended the first of three Saturday Fall Festivals on historic Gregory Street.

Brittney Wagner performs live at Black Hawk's Fall Festival on October 10, 2026.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Kids decorated pumpkins, got their faces painted, and played inflatable, carnival-style games (many adults played, too). Oversized tricycles, giant checkers, and other activities were scattered around the lot. I tried the Angry Birds© game, where you launched a stuffed bird at a bunch of boxes, aiming to knock off plush piggies on top. 

The best part? Almost everything was free.

Valerie Ryan, Special Events and Marketing Manager for the City of Black Hawk, said the turnout was more than they anticipated.

"This event is huge. It's bigger than we had expected," Ryan said. "And we love seeing so many people come out and enjoy it. And also get to experience the HARD (History, Appreciation, Recreation, and Destination) District."

She said hundreds of people were already there by 10:30 a.m., before the festival even started. "It's been non-stop since then. I've never seen so many people recreating in the area."

The Livery Lot was full of families enjoying the afternoon. Some were playing games, while others were sitting and listening to live music by The Mountain-Ear's Brittney Wagner.

At the pumpkin decorating tent, kids were busy painting and decorating their pumpkins. The decorating was free, but pumpkins cost $5 each.

Duran's Garden Center out of Longmont had a booth with pumpkins, honey, jams, jellies, and honey sticks. They also had some unusual fall decorations, including witches' brooms covered in flowers, hand-painted hats, and bouquets arranged inside pumpkins.

The garden center takes care of the planters all around downtown Black Hawk.

Not far from that was the Tommyknocker Mine Maze. Visitors wandered through the maze, reading signs about the strange little creatures said to have lived in the mines.

One sign told the story of miners in 1859 who heard tapping noises deep underground. The creatures were described as being about two feet tall, with long arms, white whiskers, and little mining outfits.

A few people appeared to be lost in the maze, or perhaps they were just trying to avoid Halloween goblins.

Ryan said the festival has brought many families into a part of Black Hawk that people may not normally visit.

"Everyone we've seen is just so many families," she said. "They're just so appreciative to have a spot to go and some place free for their kids to enjoy all of these activities."

Who knew corn kernels could be just as much fun as sand?

Photo by Mindy Leary

Ryan said the city's Public Works Department deserves a lot of credit for putting everything together. "Public Works has been the muscle behind all of this. So, a big thank you to them."

The festival is part of the City's effort to bring more people into the HARD District. 

Visitors can also take part in the Black Hawk Pumpkin Passport. The idea is to visit participating businesses along Gregory Street and collect a stamp from each. Those who complete the passport can receive a mini pumpkin decorating kit, while supplies last.

Ryan said about 240 kits had already been handed out. "Again," she said, "it's all about driving awareness down here."

Two more Saturdays of Fall Festival fun remain: October 17 and 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Halloween night, October 31, will be the big celebration. Ryan said the Tommyknocker Mine Maze will become a haunted maze, with a few scary creatures waiting inside. Kids and adults can also trick-or-treat at the shops along Gregory Street. The event will also feature costume contests, live music, and a petting zoo.

Visitors pose with a stack of menacing skulls at Gregory Plaza.

Photo by Mindy Leary

The Halloween decorations will be up throughout the month. They include 69 sculptures and eight selfie stations around the historic district.

It was a different side of Black Hawk, with families rather than gamblers filling the streets. And judging by the turnout, people seem to be enjoying it.