To the chagrin of most metro-area youth, the final day of the season at Water World is a clear indication that summer has ended — even if it’s unofficial.
An estimated 12,600 visitors flooded the Federal Heights water park over Labor Day weekend to bask under the sun as daytime temperatures reached the low 80s.
“It’s been a great summer, one of our best in attendance ever since opening in 1979,” said Joann Cortez, a spokeswoman for Water World. “We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Several miles south at Civic Center park, roughly 145,000 ventured out on Monday to the final day of A Taste of Colorado.
Thomas Dickerson and his wife stumbled upon the annual festival as the Colorado Springs couple spent the holiday weekend celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary in downtown.
“We saw some brochures on it and didn’t really know all that was involved in it besides some pretty good eating,” said Dickerson, who was thrilled to dine on his first alligator bratwurst. “There’s such a good mix of activities, from live music to games. It’s been way cool.”
Standing in a patch of shade on the sun- drenched afternoon, Rebecca Greer and her 9-year-old daughter, Aislyn , snacked on corn on the cob — lightly seasoned with Old Bay — as they enjoyed some live music.
“I had to work all weekend, and we wanted to come and relax as the summer ends,” said Greer, who lives in Westminster and makes an effort to attend the festival at least every other year. “The music is wonderful and just seeing all the people that come out is nice.”
The four-day festival wrapped as organizers compiled a barrage of fun factoids from the weekend, such as the 2,075 gallons of barbecue sauce consumed and the 43,000 pounds of turkey legs.
“Great weather and popular bands combined with many free family exhibits and a variety of food made this year’s festival one to remember,” said Pattie Johnson, marketing director for A Taste of Colorado.
Those not relishing some last-minute pool time or sampling treats, but instead traveling the Interstate 70 corridor through the mountains, found heavy traffic volume eastbound and experienced 20-minute traffic stops near the Eisenhower Tunnel that aimed to mitigate congestion.
The Colorado Department of Transportation recorded 33,050 vehicles having passed through the tunnel Monday in both directions by 6 p.m.
The Colorado State Patrol said it made 84 DUI arrests from Friday through Monday evening.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or Twitter: @kurtisalee
