People's Fair 2006

The good news is that Denver has a weekend-long fair that closes down Broadway, right in front of the capitol building. There's plenty of food, music, and useless crafts to look at. The bad news is that, for some unknown reason, it's called the People's Fair. Very Mao, yes?

I just did the research. The People's Fair was put together in 1969 by a group of concerned citizens living in the Capitol Hill area. They were upset that the state wanted to change some streets in their neighborhood from two-way to one-way, and organized the fair as a way to bring the neighborhood together for their cause.

I'm happy to tell you that they succeeded. Today, 11th and 12th streets are some of the only two-way streets in all of downtown Denver. And, in a twist of delicious irony, the People's Fair that celebrates the fact has become so large that one is forced to drive through a warren of one-way streets just to get to the thing.

We had a wonderful time. Since it's so spread out, it's not nearly as crowded as the Orange International Street Fair™. But the food, beer, and music choices are decidedly less diverse. So the Orange shindig still gets my vote -- I just wish they could spread it out a little.

Mmmm... bratwurst made right here in Denver. So very very tasty.



I done went and got me a hat. I think it is awesome. Tim, I can't wait to come back out to FLL -- we can sit out by the river in our matching hats to watch the bodacity go by.

Nathan, you will be pleased to see that we have plenty of momos here too.

Now, aside from the fun, forest, and fantasy all rolled into one (only funny if you remember Santa's Village, in the cool and clear San Bernadino mountains), we were primarily at the People's Fair because Chris was playing some excellent big band type stuff with a local jazz organization. For that story and those pictures, you'll have to read his blog. Which I swear, I'm going to get him to change the name of very soon.