A Taste of Colorado celebrates summer Sept. 3-6

Since 1983, A Taste of Colorado has packed happy revelers into Civic Center Park, all determined to celebrate the last remnants of summer. Downtown’s annual Labor Day weekend bash offers free admission to access more than 50 food vendors, 270 artisans’ booths and a carnival. Five stages offer complimentary entertainment, including fun, nationally known, nostalgia-inducing music acts. With the sights, sounds, aromas and flavors, it’s a virtual picnic…with a half-a-million people.

Food and drinks are purchased with festival tickets available at booths around the park in strips of eight at $5, cash only. One strip is usually good for a beer, 'dog or appetizer, so spring for more to enjoy crowd favorites such as barbecued ribs and the always-popular turkey drumsticks. Also look for booths, tents and brand ambassadors scattered about the park, distributing free samples from coffee to granola bars. Foodies, head to the Fine Dining Area located by the Greek Theater. Not only is the fare a cut above, but there's also a continual lineup of chef demos and even kitchen remodeling tips.

While food remains the star, in 2010 the appearance of Bret Michaels (“Every Rose Has Its Thorn”) may have many tossing flowers at the man who has triumphed this year over a brain hemorrhage and newly discovered heart condition, as well as Donald Trump. Michaels performs on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Other free concerts on the Main Stage include: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Fri., 7:30 p.m.); Dave Mason (Sat., 1 p.m.); Gregg Rolie Band (Sat., 7:30 p.m.); The Groove Hawgs (Sun., 1 p.m.);  Steve Azar (Mon., 1 p.m.); and The Four Tops (Mon., 5:30 p.m.).

In addition to food and music, carnival rides and a small midway are located along Colfax Avenue on Saturday through Monday—take a spin on the Tilt-A-Whirl and other favorites with an multi-ride wristband: $15, good on all rides until 5 p.m. when purchased from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or $25 all-day access when purchased from 10:30 a.m. until two hours before closing. You can also buy individual rides with festival tickets. The Kidz Stage features free entertainment for small-fry until 7 p.m. each day.

HelloDenver Tip: If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, hit the festival at each day’s opening or else late on Labor Day. Beware: The annual CU-CSU football game at Invesco Field (this year's kickoff is noon on Saturday, Sept. 4) attracts additional hordes of post-game traffic at Taste of Colorado as well as on the roads...and all over downtown, for that matter.

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