More than a half-million people are expected to stuff Civic Center park, and in turn stuff their bellies, at this year’s A Taste of Colorado event.
The annual event — which showcases restaurants, musicians and artisans from around the region — started this morning and runs through Monday. Already, a healthy crowd has begun perusing the many tents and booths.
“We’ve just seen lots of happy people,” said Taste spokeswoman Patty Johnson. “I always know it’s A Taste of Colorado when it’s noon, and I see a toddler holding a turkey drumstick.”
Plus-sized poultry parts aside, the Taste offers flavors from around the globe or just around the block. Among the 50 restaurants represented this year are Angela’s Colombian Kitchen, India House, the Del Mar Crab House, Colorado Buffalo Grill and Mustard’s Last Stand.
There also are more than 250 booths featuring arts and crafts and seven stages offering live music, Johnson said.
Admission is free, though tickets — a strip of 8 costs $5 — are required to purchase food or drinks. Ticket booths accept only cash, and ATMs are located around the festival grounds.
Johnson said the festival encourages people to use public transportation to get downtown. Parking is available at the Coors Field parking lots, Park Avenue and Wazee Street, for $5, and a free shuttle will then whisk Taste-goers to the fest.
Meanwhile, several streets around Civic Center will be closed for the festival, most notably Colfax and 14th avenues, Lincoln Street and Broadway.
Johnson said that with temperatures expected to be in the 90s all weekend, the festival should see a strong turnout.
“There’s nothing better than sunshine for a great recipe of fun over four days,” she said.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
A Taste of Colorado will run from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday.
