A Parker Days tradition hits 50

Parker Days is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and I've seen most of them.

Zoom in: The festival has played an outsized role in my life since my family moved to town in 1986.

• I distinctly remember crying on the Flying Bobs ride with my friend James when I was 11.
• And I freaked out on the Zipper a year later.

But no — really — I've had lots of fun there, too.

• Like when I was a teenager and went with my date — now my wife — and we people-watched and laughed the whole night.
• Or, 20 years later, when we took our kids and drained our bank account on rides and carnival games and funnel cakes.

Flashback: My favorite time, though?

• The couple days before the festival, when the rides arrive on the hill above town and workers start setting up.

I stroll the small area at night — when no one's around and everything's plugged in and glowing.

• I walk in the shadows and smile at the bursts of neon.

The bottom line: In that quiet moment, Parker Days is just for me.

🎡 Parker Days starts today at 1pm. The festival opens tomorrow at 4pm.

What's your favorite Parker Days memory? Hit reply and let me know.