The people behind it About Bonfire
A Denver event production company built on community, culture and crews who know how a street turns into an event.
Since 2021
How Bonfire started
Bonfire began in 2021 with four events in one autumn: Fletcher Plaza, Five Points, Colfax Canvas and the Stanley Marketplace fall festival. Denver was coming back outside and neighborhoods needed somewhere to do it together.
Five years on the work is the same, just bigger. Districts, conservancies and venues across the metro, from On Havana Street to the Civic Center Conservancy to the National Western Center. Every event puts local vendors in front of real customers and gives a neighborhood a reason to show up.
- 2021First season
- 48Productions
- 8Partner organizations
The team below is who does it.
Jay Kim
Founder & CEO
Jay came to events from a career in tech, and he runs Bonfire the way he ran product teams: figure out what the room actually needs, then build the thing that delivers it. He handles the parts most people never see, the contracts, the budgets, the permits and the vendor relationships that decide whether a street festival works or falls apart.
He started Bonfire in 2021 to put money back into the neighborhoods he lives and works in. Every market is built around local vendors first, and he will argue that point with anyone.
Outside of work he is usually outdoors somewhere in Colorado, tending a backyard garden and a flock of hens, or cooking with whatever he found at the last market.
Ben Johnson
Brand Marketing Director
If there’s a story to tell or a community to ignite, Ben is there with a lens in one hand and a blueprint in the other. Ben’s career, formed in small business and polished by leading the creative visions for a global beauty powerhouse, brings “big brand” magic to the grassroots level. He doesn’t just capture content; he crafts connection.
Ben champions slow consumption; the belief that stories, products, and food should be honored and savored. he treats every event and brand as a community waiting to be built, focusing on intentionality that turns a collective into a movement.
His perspective is shaped by the patience of fly fishing, the energy of skateboarding, and the soul of live music. Whether he’s fueling the flames at Bonfire or finding his rhythm in the streets, Ben creates work where heart, grit, and strategy intersect. He’s here to ensure your story doesn’t just get seen, it gets felt.
Jenni Juarez
Marketing & Ops Manager
Bethany Conrad
Events Coordinator
Our Community Promise
At Bonfire Event Co., we’re passionate about building events that strengthen and support the small business community. To our vendor partners, we know that your success is our success, and we promise to be your biggest advocates every step of the way. Our relationships with local businesses and organizations are true partnerships, and we’re committed to working hand-in-hand to create unforgettable experiences that everyone will love.
Social responsibility isn’t just a buzzword for us – it’s a core part of who we are. We’re deeply invested in giving back to our community, promoting equality and protecting our environment, and we’ll always go above and beyond to make a positive impact. Whether it’s through supporting important social sauces, or working with local organizations that promote sustainability, we’re always looking for ways to make a difference.
At the heart of everything we do is the spirit of the bonfire – a symbol of community, sustenance, and connection. We never lose sight of that meaning, and we strive to create events that reflect those same values. Whether we’re bringing people together for a night of fun or using our platform to inspire and educate, we promise to always stay true to our roots.
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