The man in the Peyton Manning jersey had a little more breathing room Wednesday afternoon in Civic Center Park than he did a few months earlier, when he witnessed the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl celebration.
But he brought no less enthusiasm.
“I’m just excited for the season to start,” said 21-year-old Kevin Vargas as he stood in line at one of the fan-friendly features at Kickoff Village, a free, two-day festival of games music and hoopla leading up to the Broncos’ season-opening defense of their title Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.
The celebration stays open until 8 p.m. Wednesday and then runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, culminating with musical performances at 3 p.m. by OneRepublic and Dierks Bentley.
The first of the faithful filed into the event under sunny skies Wednesday, reflecting a similar disposition heading into what they hope will be a repeat of last season — though this year’s team features some significant personnel changes.
But Vargas, still proudly sporting his Manning jersey, has faith that the moves by general manager John Elway and head coach Gary Kubiak — in particular, handing the offense to unproven quarterback Trevor Siemian — will pan out in the end.
“It’s hard to let go of a legend,” he said of the now-retired Manning, “but it’s time to move on.”
Rhett Gutierrez, standing in line with Vargas for a simulated “draft day” photo, shared his friend’s optimism.
“The way to get back to the Super Bowl is to bring that enthusiasm into next season,” he said.
At another feature where fans could try on some equipment, Reyna Nurhaida, 26, struggled to wriggle out of Von Miller-sized shoulder pads and jersey.
“I love everything about the Broncos,” she said. “I can’t wait til tomorrow.”
Brenda Reynolds, 58, came down from Cheyenne, Wyo., to take part in the festivities.
“It’s exciting in a different way,” Reynolds said. “But I still think it’ll be up to the defense to win.”
Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. MDT Thursday.
Were you at Denver for ? Check out our photos of the workout and dance party:
— REVERB (@RVRB)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Fans carry Miles, the Denver Broncos mascot, during the NFL kickoff festival dance party to celebrate the Super Bowl 50 champion Broncos and the return of football in the club level at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, September 07, 2016. The Broncos and the Panthers kickoff the season on Thursday.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016 kicked off with the Mayor and other dignitaries and fans as they unveiled Broncos Blvd on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Broncos fan Tyler Cooper of Denver busts through tackling dummy's during the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Former Denver Broncos great Steve Atwater on hand at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016 to kick off with Mayor Hancock, fans and other dignitaries as they unveiled Broncos Blvd on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016 kicked off with the Mayor and other dignitaries and fans as they unveiled Broncos Blvd on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Candice Girard takes a photo of her son William Girard 7 of Denver as he poses with Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller's jersey and helmet at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The Event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling a Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Broncos fans had the opportunity to check out all 50 Super Bowl rings including the Denver Broncos 50 ring during the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Football fans check out the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Broncos fans had the opportunity to check out all 50 Super Bowl rings including the Denver Broncos 50 ring during the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Football fans check out the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Broncos fans had the opportunity to check out all 50 Super Bowl rings including the Denver Broncos 50 ring during the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Broncos fan Austin Wilcox of Denver busts through tackling dummy's during the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling the Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016 kicked off with the Mayor and other dignitaries and fans as they unveiled Broncos Blvd on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
The stage is set for the big concert with One Republic at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
William Girard 7 of Denver poses with Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller's jersey and helmet at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 7, 2016. The Event kicked off with the Mayor unveiling a Broncos Blvd sign on the corner of 14th and Bannock. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba/The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
One Republic runs through their sound check before their concert on Thursday at the NFL Kickoff Village at Civic Center Park September 8, 2016. The two day event is free to the fans to kick off the 2016 NFL season with the game with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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Fans carry Miles, the Denver Broncos mascot, during the NFL kickoff festival dance party to celebrate the Super Bowl 50 champion Broncos and the return of football in the club level at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, September 07, 2016. The Broncos and the Panthers kickoff the season on Thursday.
