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. Downtown Denver events also produces the 9NEWS Parade of Lights presented by American Furniture Warehouse and the New Year's Eve Fireworks Downtown.

Need to Know

DATE
Labor Day Weekend
Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7, 2009

HOURS
Friday:  11:30 a.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 Denver Post 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)

Click to use interactive map

Getting Here – Staying Here

Click here for a map of street closures. (PDF)

How to Reach Civic Center Park

Click here for a map to Civic Center Park. (PDF)

Use Light Rail
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 MallRide buses to the Festival. C & E lines trains arrive at Union Station where it's easy to transfer to the FREE 16th Street MallRide buses to the Festival.

Take the Bus
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 Ave. and Lincoln and at the northeast corner of Cherokee and 14th Ave. by the City and County Building. Open Friday 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am – 10:00 pm, and Monday from 9:30 am – 8:00 pm. Bicycle parking is free, but donations to BikeDenver are appreciated. Visit www.bikedenver.org for more information.

Downtown Parking and Free 16th Street Mallride Buses
Downtown Denver offers tens of thousands of parking spaces, most within an easy walk to the FREE 16th Street MallRide buses offering a direct ride to Civic Center Park. The Free MallRide buses travel over a mile on Denver's 16th Street Mall from Denver Union Station (Wynkoop St.) to Civic Center Park (Broadway St.) and back. It stops at every intersection along the 16th Street Mall and runs daily until 1:30 am. 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. Each suite has all the comforts of home including: fully equipped kitchens, cozy living rooms with flat screen TV's, and complimentary high-speed internet. We also provide complimentary full hot breakfast buffet daily, happy hour with light dinner Monday through Thursday, and a complimentary grocery shopping service. Covered parking is available for a daily fee. We are within walking distance of the Festival or you can utilize the FREE 16th Street MallRide buses. A Taste of Colorado food and beverage tickets will be available to purchase at our front desk so you can avoid the lines! Call 1-800-593-2809 to make a reservation and ask for the A Taste of Colorado Corporate Rate of $109.00 per night, which includes $10 of Taste tickets. Additional tickets are available for purchase at the front desk throughout the weekend.

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.

Check out the Denver Art Museum during your visit to A Taste of Colorado. Over Labor Day Weekend, the Denver Art Museum is open Friday through Sunday, with free admission on Saturday. Hours are Friday*, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon - 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on Monday.
*Hamilton Building only. The North Building closes at 5:00 pm.

Numerous art galleries are concentrated in the Triangle, and they open their doors every first Friday of the month from 5:00 to 9:00 pm for First Friday Art Walks.

The Colorado History Museum will be open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm, and on Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Byers-Evans House will be open Friday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be closed on Monday.

The Denver Public Library will be open during the Festival Friday, Sept. 4, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; and closed Sunday and Monday.

Civic Center Park is also home to the Civic Center Outdoor Market & Café, produced by the Civic Center Conservancy. The Market is held Tuesdays through September 29 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Enjoy lunch, music and fun in this beautiful park. (No market on September 8.)

Come, observe and enjoy over 150 of the best Colorado & national Plein Air artists participating in the 3rd Annual Denver Plein Air Arts Festival 2009, Sept 4-21, in the Golden Triangle Museum District neighborhood (just south of Civic Center Park). For more information, please visit gtmd.org or call 303-534-0771.

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.

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!