City Park’s Jazz in the Park Series
Author: Rick Janson / Category: City Park Denver, Denver Lifestyleâ„¢What officially started in 1986 as a handful of musicians playing every few weeks during the summer, Denver’s Jazz in the Park series channels a time a hundred years earlier when Denverites put on their Sunday best and headed to Ferril Lake at City Park. In their turn-of-the-century attire, folks would stroll the path around the lake and listen to music flowing forth from the bandstand.
Fast forward to 2011, and you will see thousands of people from all walks of life enjoying the Denver sunshine and listening to one of ten concerts throughout the summer that are put on by City Park Jazz. You will still see people in their Sunday best, to be sure, but you’ll also see hordes of people on bikes and groups of young adults grilling out in swim trunks. It is one of the few activities that Denver offers where you can see the melting pot of diversity the city holds; the 2010 Jazz in the Park series saw over 70,000 visitors!
There is food to purchase on-site, but half the fun of Jazz in the Park is bringing your own picnic. They encourage coolers on wheels and grills for sizzling up burgers and hot dogs. If you get a spot towards the back of the crowd, there is plenty of room to toss around a frisbee or throw the ball with Fido. The concerts happen weekly, rain or shine, so be sure to bring an umbrella and rain gear if you want to enjoy Denver’s warm summer rains as well as great music.
Off-street parking is plentiful, with the lots for the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on the north side of the park available. A giant bike corral is also available for the public and is manned by volunteers who will make sure your bike stays put, even if you forgot a lock. However you arrive at Jazz in the Park, be sure to make it to this exemplification of the Denver lifestyle at least a few times this summer!
