The weekend of Sept. 5-7, Briarfest was back at its mission to bring the people within the community of North Colorado Springs together.
For the past 11 years, St. Gabriel Catholic Church has hosted Briarfest, a weekend-long family friendly carnival located in Briargate. Each year, they set up their well-loved rides, games, food trucks, live events and more.
Since Briarfest is a family friendly event and open to all ages, there are a variety of rides, which makes it possible for anyone to find their favorite part of the carnival. Senior Noah Benal expressed, “I personally like the Monkey maze.”
However, there is not just one ride or attraction that is the main focus of Briarfest. Senior Fox Gardener said, “My favorite ride was the fireball.”
This intense roller coaster is a favorite for many of those who attend Briarfest.
This just goes to show that there truly is something at Briarfest for everyone, regardless of age. From the Monkey Maze to Fireball, Briarfest consistently offers rides of assorted intensities to satisfy everyone who attends the carnival.
A sign of success in Briarfest’s mission can be seen through the impact their event has on Liberty’s student life. When asked about the best part of Briarfest, junior Rylan Forrest stated, “My favorite part when going is being able to be with friends and hang out at a fair and do rides together. It is a very large part of why first semester is so good.”
Briarfest generates a sense of excitement amongst most Liberty High School students, even though students come from all different backgrounds.
While Briarfest is a three-day occasion, students prefer some days over others. Junior Raelyn Bustoz stated, “The best day to go is Saturday because you can always see old friends and people you know.”
Another popular attraction at Briarfest is the food, and for good reason. Attendees can find classic festival favorites like funnel cakes, Kona Ice and corn dogs.
According to students Bernal and Bustoz, funnel cakes are the best snack to get. As Noah explained, “The consistency and powder make it my favorite, and it also always reminds me of a theme park.”
Briarfest is more than just a carnival; it is a testament to the power of community. From the thrilling rides like the Fireball to the simple joy of sharing a funnel cake with a friend, the festival consistently brings together students and families from all walks of life.
As a beloved annual tradition, Briarfest reminds students of the bonds they share as well as the excitement that can be found within the broader community. The return of Briarfest each year is a powerful sign that, no matter what, the school and community are deeply connected.