Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson
Special to Colorado Community Media
The Town of Elizabeth will celebrate its 133rd birthday with its first “Birthday Bash Movie Night.” The event will take place at Running Creek Park at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 25.
“We usually combine the town’s birthday celebration with the ‘Wine in The Pines’ event,” said Town of Elizabeth Deputy Clerk Harmony Malanowski. “This year we wanted to make it a little more family-oriented and family-friendly, so we hold the event closer to the actual anniversary date, September 24th.”
The free event is welcoming to the whole family, including leashed furry friends. To celebrate, the town will show the family-friendly animated film “Despicable Me.” The movie will be shown on a giant outdoor screen. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to stretch out on while they watch the film.
Three local organizations will be fundraising at the event. They will provide food and drinks for purchase to help them raise money. The Elizabeth High School Marching Band will provide popcorn, the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty will provide candy, and the local Girl Scout troop will serve beverages. In addition, the town will offer free birthday cookies to everyone in attendance.
There will be no vendors selling their merchandise at the event. However, a representative from Banner Mortgage will be present to provide free bubbles to all of the kids who want them.
“My kids are really looking forward to seeing `Despicable Me,’” said Morgan Pickle of Spring Valley. “We’re planning to pack a picnic and make a whole evening of it. I think it will be really fun.”
Brief history of Running Creek Park
Though the Town of Elizabeth “Birthday Bash Movie Night” is being held on Aug, 25, the Town’s actual birthday is just under a month later on Sept. 24. The town was officially incorporated on Sept. 24, 1890, making it 133 years old as of 2023. The Town, once called Russellville, was incorporated after only 35 years.
In the early days of European settlers moving into the area, a bustling sawmill camp was in operation on the bank of Running Creek (1855). The town was moved to its present location after a huge storm flooded Running Creek. Later it served as a cornfield for several decades.
On Oct. 12, 2021, the Town of Elizabeth Board of Trustees dubbed Elizabeth’s downtown park off of Highway 86 “Running Creek Park” after the creek that works its way through the town.
Two months earlier, the board had asked the public to suggest names for the event park at 500 E. Kiowa Ave. The town received 18 submissions through email, drop box and in-office.
