History of the Grand Junction Lions
The Grand Junction Lions Club was chartered in 1921 by a group of hearty businessmen in downtown Grand Junction.
The club started with 28 charter members whose names are on the charter documents in the Lions Club showcase at Two Rivers Plaza.
As a fundraising event, the club originally conducted an annual Lions Follies at the Avalon Theater. Lions would dress up in various costumes and perform pantomime and dance acts in Vaudevillian style. This was done to the great delight of the community.
This spirit of fun is still alive in the annual Grand Junction Lions Club Carnival, which started in the 1940s to raise money for scholarships at the Grand Junction Community College.
In the 1950s, we added an auction to the carnival to raise extra funds. Each Lion was required to sell at least $25 worth of carnival tickets. The event became a favorite family outing, and every dollar went to charity.
By the 1970s, the economy had improved, and the carnival grew. Since then, the Lions Carnival has never been canceled due to bad weather, and it continues to be a community favorite.
Why We Give
In 1971, the club decided to build Two Rivers Plaza as its own community project. This became the new home for the Lions Club Carnival in 1980, allowing us to focus more on fundraising and less on logistics. Since then, the carnival has raised over $200,000 every year.
Today, the Grand Junction Lions Club is nearly 100 members strong. Our members work hard during the 30-day period leading up to the carnival, which is now a beloved tradition. We are proud to serve Grand Junction and keep the Lions' spirit alive.
