In addition to the return to the office, in-person classes in schools and restaurants reopening their doors, several community events and large gatherings welcomed back crowds in 2021.

The Greeley Stampede returned to the Island Grove Regional Park and arena with no shortage of excitement and action. From bulls and broncs to steer wrestling and roping competitions, fans young and old attended the event in swarms, celebrating the Stampede's 99th year of rodeo and carnival.

Despite a change in format due to COVID-19 safety precautions and two major acts bowing out of the concert lineup, the 2021 Stampede was such a success that attendance numbers broke some previous records, according to Stampede general manager Justin Watada.

GREELEY, CO - JULY 03:The sun sets over the carnival during the 99th Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley July 3, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

Island Grove Regional Park didn't sit empty for long after the Stampede's chutes were shut for the season as the Weld County Fair rolled in with dozens of animal competitions, craft and art exhibits and the livestock sale.

GREELEY, CO - JULY 31:Taylor Sidwell, 3, helps clean the beef and dairy cattle barn during the Weld County Fair at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley July 31, 2021. Sidwell has two older siblings showing stock at the fair and hopes to join them when she is old enough to do so, but helps out however she can, according to her mother. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

In addition to the Stampede and Weld County Fair, downtown Greeley welcomed back its Friday Fests, Monster Day, the Festival of Trees and the Greeley Lights the Night Parade. Lincoln Park also saw the return of the ever-popular Greeley Arts Picnic, which showcases work from artists around the state and country.

Communities across Weld County, such as Evans, Severance and Windsor, celebrated their beloved harvest festivals, pumpkin patches and Oktoberfests.

WINDSOR, CO - SEPTEMBER 04:The crowd watches and snaps photos as balloons lift off during the hot air balloon launch to kick off the 99th Annual Windsor Harvest Festival at Eastman Park in Windsor Sept. 4, 2021. Launchgoers packed the park as balloon crews, some from states away, launched their balloons as the sun rose in the sky. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

WINDSOR, CO - SEPTEMBER 04:The crowd watches and snaps photos as balloons lift off during the hot air balloon launch to kick off the 99th Annual Windsor Harvest Festival at Eastman Park in Windsor Sept. 4, 2021. Launchgoers packed the park as balloon crews, some from states away, launched their balloons as the sun rose in the sky. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)

The Union Colony Civic Center opened its doors to offer music and entertainment to the community while the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra kicked off its season with new music director, Lowell Graham.

Throughout the year, people said going to events felt like a return to some normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic caused organizers to shut down most events in 2020. Heading into 2022, event organizers are no doubt looking to continue building momentum coming out of the widespread cancellations seen in 2020.