Scene of booths and people with Colo. St. Capitol behind
Every first weekend in June for 35 years Civic Center Park has become the third largest city in Colorado for two days. Some years the crowds and the heat become almost prohibitive to a good time. This year someone actually planned some open space into the design of the hundreds of booths, the five main entertainment stages and the long rows of porta-potties. It seemed less crowded but the numbers were still there. The weather co-operated as well--it was warm but overcast. I took the bus downtown and stayed about 5 hours. What a pleasant afternoon!
In contrast to the other two public festivals in this park--Cinco de Mayo and Taste of Colorado--this one is all about the ideas, values, crafts, opportunities for volunteering as well as music, food and culture of Denver's population. The five stages change entertainment every hour and a half or so. There was even a "soapbox" with mike where anyone could speak for 30 minutes about anything they felt strongly about as long as it wasn't obscene. Sometimes people lined up for rebuttal time. The Fundamentalists of several religions each had a booth. The atheists and agnostics had a booth. Planned Parenthood's booth was two doors down from the Anti-abortion booth. Sometimes the volume of discussion lifted a little but basically there was respect for each belief to be represented.
I particularly liked this one:
And then there is the music. My favorite stage is the one located in the Greek amphitheater but I was there in the early afternoon and though the music was varied and well-played, the crowd was thin.
The Greek Amphitheater on the South side of Civic Center Park
There is something for everyone: a kiddie corner complete with a giant bubble blowing machine, a bungee jumping ride and gyroscope for teens, face-painting for all ages, music, dance, demonstrations and food sampling from the cuisines of many countries. Even though I went alone, I had a great time just wandering and sitting and felt a sense of true community at the aptly named People's Fair.
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