Last year, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wore a 25-year-old red nightshirt and his lion slippers.
Who knows what he’ll don this month at the annual Mayor’s Pajama Party, an affair where flannel and French toastnot silk and sushi — are au courant.
The third annual mayoral PJ fest, an event to raise money for Denver’s Road Home program to end homelessness, is set for Thursday.
Few of Denver’s high society fundraisers are lower-maintenance in terms of attire. At this shindig, partygoers favor labels including Nick & Nora, PJ Salvage, Bedhead and The Cat’s Pajamas.
“Last year, I wore my ‘Life Is Good’ pajama pants, a zippy hoodie and slippers,” says Jennifer Hallam, who volunteers for Denver’s Road Home fundraising and community awareness committee. Her position with IMA Financial Group helps connect potential private-sector donors with Denver’s Road Home.
“When we can use business and professional contacts to raise money, all those dollars go straight to the homeless, to shelters, to services and to homes,” she says. “It’s immediately allocated to where it’s most needed, instead of just sitting somewhere for 10 years.
“The pajama party is incredible — sort of a cocktail party, with a band and home-cooked food, like a mashed-potato bar.”
Afterward, partygoers spend the night at hotels and inns that pledge to donate some or all of their guest-room revenue to Denver’s Road Home. What’s the price of seeing Hick in his PJs? Overnight pajama-party packages (party, food, drinks, hotel room) start at $250. Get the details at .
