Holiday Weekend Ignites Biennial of the Americas, King Tut Exhibit, National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and Several Summer Festivals and Events
DENVER, CO - From blockbuster art exhibits to exclusive and exciting Biennial of the Americas events to hosting the nation's heroes at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Denver celebrates the nation's birthday this year by kicking off a myriad of Mile-High-only experiences.
Additionally, Denver hotels are offering rates starting at $79 with many others offering "stay one night at regular price, get a second night for $52.80." All rates are based on availability and can be found at VISITDENVER.com.
Opening Weekends: King Tut & the Biennial of the Americas
Two of Denver’s biggest events kick off over the July Fourth weekend.
• Opening July 1, Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs is a brand new exhibit making its only Rocky Mountain appearance at the Denver Art Museum. Boasting 130 objects from the tomb of King Tut and other famous Egyptian pharaohs, most of which have never before been seen in the U.S., the exhibit features a 10-foot statue of King Tut, the largest image of the boy king yet discovered. Visitors can take advantage of exclusive “skip-the-lines” King Tut packages offered by Downtown Denver hotels by visiting www.tutdenver.com.
• The Biennial of the Americas: Denver 2010 celebrates the art, culture and ideas from 35 countries in the Western Hemisphere. Art exhibits, live music, cultural programming and roundtable discussions combine in a citywide event throughout the month of July. As one of the most exciting international events of 2010, it’s also one of the biggest cultural happenings Denver has ever hosted. Visit www.biennialoftheamericas.org for tickets and more information.
Fourth of July Festivals
Fireworks, fine art and free music: the Mile High City appeals to every sense with these Independence Day celebrations.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 3-5, Cherry Creek North, Denver
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, this outdoor arts festival features 230 juried visual artists working in photography, wood, clay, pottery, fiber and metal. Attendees enjoy a wide range of family friendly performing arts and exhibits, as well as sample fine cuisine. See two Japanese drum shows by DOSHIN on Saturday, July 3. www.cherryarts.org
Civic Center SOUNDS: Independence Eve Celebration
July 3, Civic Center Park, Denver
The weekend begins with a bang through a new signature event for Metro Denver: Civic Center SOUNDS: Independence Eve Celebration, a free community concert featuring patriotic favorites performed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by an innovative light show and fireworks display. Beginning at 8:30 p.m., the show includes stirring works by Copland, Gershwin, Sousa and more. www.coloradosymphony.org
Live Music
Concerts at Red Rocks
July 3-4, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and State Park, Morrison, Colo.
• The Red Rocks & Blue extravaganza on July 3, headlined by Umphrey’s McGee and Galactic, also features a heavy dose of reggae classics from the The Wailers (Bob Marley’s backing band).
• On July 4, jam band veterans Blues Traveler return to Red Rocks for what promises to be an evening chock full of good vibes and great tunes.
• The Colorado Symphony’s second free concert of the weekend, Symphony on the Rocks, takes place at Red Rocks on Monday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m., celebrating all-time classical favorites Beethoven, Elgar, Copland, Sousa and many more. (Note: There is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle.) www.redrocksonline.com
Pro Sports
Denver is a pro-sports paradise, with no less than seven professional athletic teams. Sports are in full-swing each summer with baseball, soccer and lacrosse seasons taking to the fields.
The Rockies, The Rapids and The Outlaws
July 4, various locations
• Denver’s hometown heroes, MLB’s Colorado Rockies, take on the San Francisco Giants, July 1-4, at Coors Field. Post-game fireworks on July 2 and 3. www.rockies.mlb.com
• Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids are taking on the New York Red Bulls at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4. Get to the stadium early for the free pregame “4thFest” festival at the stadium, featuring food, interactive elements, the Rapids beer garden, and live bands. Following the game, stay for the biggest and most explosive fireworks show in the state of Colorado! www.coloradorapids.com
• July 4 at INVESCO Field at Mile High includes Denver’s professional lacrosse team, The Outlaws, battling it out with the Chesapeake Bayhawks. uncovercolorado.com
National Veteran Wheelchair Games
July 4-9, Colorado Convention Center, Apex Meyers Swimming Pool, Cherry Creek Family Shooting Center, and other venues in and around Denver
For the first time, Denver is hosting the National Veteran Wheelchair Games, a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems. Attracting more than 500 athletes each year, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. All events are free and open to the public. Check the Web site for a full schedule. wheelchairgames.org
Blockbuster Summer Events
BODY WORLDS and the Story of the Heart at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Through July 18
Take a fantastic voyage exploring the mysteries of the human body. This new BODY WORLDS exhibit includes more than 200 human specimens, including whole-body plastinates, organs and translucent body slices. dmns.org
Moore in the Gardens
Through January 2011
Experience Denver Botanic Garden’s (DBG) landmark, open-air exhibition of monumental works by the internationally renowned sculptor, Henry Moore. Highly acclaimed by Time magazine, the exhibit offers a unique opportunity to site Moore’s immense work in a diverse array of landscape, the two DBG campuses feature the large-scale sculptures amidst everything from prairie wildflowers and serene reflecting pools to cacti and the rugged alpine rock garden. www.botanicgardens.org
