FYI

Festival of Mountain and Plain … A Taste of Colorado is a community celebration that is produced by and benefits Downtown Denver Events, Inc., the Downtown Denver Partnership family’s community events non-profit organization. The Festival is an opportunity for people throughout the region to come together to experience and appreciate our diverse cultural traditions, and to learn more about our state’s Western heritage. The Festival highlights visual and performing arts in addition to featuring educational programs and culinary demonstrations.

Need to Know

DATE
Labor Day Weekend
Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

HOURS
Friday:  4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday:  10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Monday:  10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

LOCATION
Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver (intersection of Colfax Avenue and Broadway)

ADMISSION
FREE!
Tickets must be used to purchase food, beverages, and carnival rides.
A strip of 8 tickets can be purchased for $5. Cash is accepted at all Rocky Mountain News ticket booths and at the carnival ride ticket booths. Checks and credit cards are not accepted. ATMs are located throughout the Festival grounds.

INFO LINE
(303) 295-6330

FESTIVAL GROUNDS MAP

Click to see a larger version
(PDF)

Getting Here – Staying Here

Click here for a PDF of street closures.

Use Light Rail, Bus or Bike!
The D, H, & F line trains arrive at the 16th & California Station for an easy walk to the Festival or transfer to the FREE 16th Street Mall Shuttle to the Festival. C & E line trains arrive at Union Station where it’s easy to transfer to the FREE 16th Street Mall Shuttle to the Festival.

Buses
The following local bus routes have stops just a few blocks away from the
Festival: 52, 32, 28, 20, 16, 15, 12, 10, 9, 7, 6, 2, 1, and 0. For RTD Bus and Light Rail schedules, call (303) 299-6000 or visit www.rtd-denver.com.

Ride Your Bicycle
Avoid parking your car and park your bike instead! BikeDenver is offering secure bicycle parking at two locations: in front of the Colorado History Museum on 13th and Lincoln and at the northeast corner of Cherokee and 14th by the City and County Building. Open Friday 3:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Monday from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm. Bicycle parking is free, but donations to BikeDenver are appreciated. For more information, visit www.bikedenver.org.

Where to Park
Festival parking is offered at the Coors Field parking lot for $5. Enter on Park Avenue at Wazee Street. Once parked, a FREE Festival shuttle serves attendees from 10:00 am each day (3:30 pm on Friday) to closing.
 
Downtown Denver offers tens of thousands of parking spaces, most within an easy walk to the 16th Street FREE Mall Shuttle. After you’ve parked, just hop on the FREE Mall Shuttle towards Civic Center Station for a quick ride to the Festival. Handicapped parking is available at all public parking lots. Downtown Denver parking locations and rates can be found at experiencedowntowndenver.com.

Residence Inn Denver City Center
Our All Suite Hotel is located in the center of downtown featuring fully equipped kitchens, cozy living rooms with flat-screen TVs and high-speed Internet. Plus complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily, happy hour with light dinner Monday through Thursday and a complimentary grocery service. Parking is available for a daily fee. We are within walking distance of A Taste of Colorado or you can utilize the FREE 16th Street Mall Shuttle. A Taste of Colorado food and beverage tickets will be available to purchase at our front desk. Call 1-800-593-2809 to make a reservation and ask for the “A Taste of Colorado Corporate Rate” of $115 per night, based on availability which includes $10 worth of Taste tickets. Additional tickets are for purchase at the front desk during the Festival.

Explore the Golden Triangle
A Taste of Colorado happens in the Golden Triangle neighborhood, which is anchored by three of Denver’s cultural icons - the Denver Art Museum; Colorado History Museum, including the Byers Evans House; and the Denver Public Library, each hosting exhibits, performances, lectures, and cultural events year-round.
 
The library will be open during the Festival on Friday, August 29, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday, August 30, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Numerous art galleries are concentrated in the Triangle, and they open their doors every first Friday of the month from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for First Friday Art Walks.
 
Check out the Denver Art Museum during your visit at A Taste of Colorado. Don’t miss experiencing one of Denver’s newest landmarks - it will change the way you experience art and architecture. During Labor
Day weekend, the Denver Art Museum is open Friday through Sunday, with free admission for all Colorado residents on Saturday. Hours are Friday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on Monday.
 
Civic Center Park is also home to the Civic Center Café & Outdoor Market produced by the Civic Center Conservancy. The Market is held Wednesdays through September 24 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Enjoy lunch, music and fun in this beautiful park. (No market on August 27.)

Information and Lost & Found

There are two Information booths, one on Broadway and one on Bannock. Downtown Denver Events volunteer ambassadors will be available to answer questions about the Festival and other Downtown Denver attractions. Lost & Found is located at these booth locations.

First Aid and Lost Kidz

First aid and ambulance services are provided by American Medical Response at the medical assistance site in the KidZone. The Lost Kidz Booth can also be found in the KidZone.

Wheelchair Rental

Wheelchairs, powerchairs, and scooters will be available for rental just inside the Broadway and 16th entrance from A Solutions Medical.  For early reservations, call (303) 432-2230 or (303) 437-2820.  Don’t forget to register to win a Champion Companion Power Lift Chair, a $325.00 retail value!

Every effort for wheelchair accessibility is made with many street ramps and some temporary street ramps maintained for wheelchair users. There is no on-site parking; however, those with a valid handicapped license plate will find spots available in lots adjacent to the site as well as off-Festival street parking.

The site itself offers wheelchair-height counters at each ticket booth and entertainment stages that are at ground level, making viewing accessible for all patrons.

A downloadable map will be available in mid-August showing all access points.

Please Mind the Festival Ground Rules

The following may not be brought into the Festival:

• Alcoholic beverages, beverage containers, glass bottles, food, or beverages
• Coolers, picnic baskets, or carry-ins of any type (back-packs or large bags may be searched)
• Kites, Frisbees, balls, or other sports equipment
• Scooters, skateboards, or inline skates
• Pets (except service animals)
• Firearms, weapons, contraband, or laser pointers
• Bicycles (please use bike parking operated by BikeDenver at two locations: in front of the Colorado History Museum on 13th and Lincoln and at the northeast corner of Cherokee and 14th by the City and County Building)

Once you’re here:

• No still photos, video or audio recording during live performances
• No unauthorized vending

Tips for enjoying the Festival:

• Pick up a brochure to find your favorite restaurant, beverage, marketplace booth, or band
• Drink responsibly and make sure your group has a designated driver
• Have a meeting place in case you get separated
• Don’t leave children unattended

When you leave the Festival:

• No alcoholic beverages may be taken off Festival grounds
• Please dispose of trash in the receptacles provided and help us leave the neighborhood clean
• If you have lost anything while at the Festival, please visit an information booth to check lost and found
• Come back soon!