August is always the biggest month for the First Friday celebration hosted by Denver’s . More than 5,000 people will assemble on the gallery-rich row August 7 — if the weather holds.
The district is rolling out the red carpet, and rolling away the traffic. For the first time since 2008, the busy street will be closed to cars between 6th and 10th avenues in the evening. The move will give the crowd, typically squeezed on the thoroughfare’s unusually narrow sidewalks, a bit of breathing room.
There will be plenty of art to look at and buy, though it’s not going to be a typical art fair. There won’t be vendor tents set up in the middle of boulevard and food trucks will be shuttled to the side streets just off the main drag.
“We want our galleries and businesses to be the stars,” said Jack Pappalardo, president of the nonprofit district’s board of directors.
Galleries, anticipating a good showing, tend to put on their best exhibits of the year. Expect music, wine and plenty of artists in attendance talking about their work.
As for the district, it has a grander agenda than just one night of fun. Lately, it’s been hatching ambitious improvement plans and it’s hoping to show off its potential to the crowds. “We want people to come here the other 30 days of the month, other than First Friday,” said Pappalardo.
There’s been some momentum on that front lately. A handful of interesting buildings have gone up, with iconic bookends emerging in the form of the handsome at 4th Avenue and the on 11th Avenue.
A few restaurants have opened, enhancing the experience of visiting the district’s “90 galleries, studios and creative businesses.”
Last year, local property owners created an official , which will generate about $100,000 a year for maintenance.
That’s just the start. The district has put together a master plan and is hoping to secure funding from the city to widen sidewalks, add public art, manage traffic and bury the gas meters that stand awkwardly in front of buildings.
“We don’t want to be . We want to preserve our history and architecture and the unique feel here,” said Pappalardo. “But we want it to be more pedestrian- and more shopper-friendly.”
The district also envisions “a well-lit, art-lined, pedestrian friendly corridor” extending out along 10th Avenue to Osage Avenue , connecting it to the RTD Light Rail station there.
The improvements could cost $14 million or more, so the district knows it needs city-wide support for its initiative.
A fabulous First Friday could serve as its best advertisement.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi
FIRST FRIDAY The Art District on Santa Fe’s August celebration will include closing off Santa Fe Drive from 6th Avenue to 10th Avenue. The art walk begins at 5:30 p.m. and most galleries and shops stay open until 9:30 p.m. Free. Aug. 7. Info at
