I arrived safe and sound in Denver, taking a plane filled with journalists, party insiders, and delegates – all thinking that they were “avoiding the rush” by coming in the Thursday before the convention. The city of Denver was ready for us – they already had greeters at the airport with Democratic National Committee Convention t-shirts and signs and answers to any questions we could possibly think of.
I have never been to a convention before but I’ve heard the amount of activity that is expected for next week is nothing new. The local papers, Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post, are littered with “survival guides” and event calendars for the locals and the outsiders invading their city. The papers and airwaves in Denver are filled with restaurant, bar, and hiking recommendations. Everyone is saying that you have to try Rocky Mountain Oysters while you’re here – don’t even ask what that is. Microbrews are the other big thing in the city, but no article or program I’ve encountered has mentioned the effect high altitude has on your alcohol tolerance.
What happens inside the Pepsi Center will get the majority coverage next week but there are no shortage of other events taking place throughout the city.
Of course there are the protesters. Next week the Recreate ‘68 movement is holding marches (listed in the Rocky Mountain News as parades) through downtown Denver Monday through Thursday. Their big rally and concert is scheduled for tomorrow but they are definitely going to be the most prominent group outside the DNC throughout the week. For more information on Recreate ‘68 and the controversy surrounding their plans, I’d highly recommend listening to Ina Jaffe’s piece on Weekend Edition Saturday all about the movement and their 1968 Democratic convention inspiration.
In addition to the Recreate ‘68 protesters, there are supposed to be a bunch of naked people roaming the streets of Denver (not sure what they are protesting, but an interesting side note). Other scheduled “parades” include Shalom International’s No 2 States “Keep Jerusalem United” event and The American Driver’s March Against the Economic Impact of Rising Fuel Costs on Monday, and Hillary Now’s No Obamination – Hillary Now for McCain march on Thursday that takes place two hours before the Democrats & Allies Against Marijuana Prohibition march.
In addition to the “parades,” the city has granted permits to groups hosting what the papers are calling prayer and worship services – aka the anti-abortion movement. One park is designated as the “DNC Meditation Retreat” throughout the week, while another will be referred to as “Tent State University” – the staging area for Recreate ‘68.
There is also going to be a plethora of parties and concerts throughout the city – including a party tonight for the media at a theme park located in the middle of downtown (I’m currently in the midst of getting ready for it). To list all the parties and concerts would be too daunting for one blogger to do, so I’ll direct you to the parties and events calendar provided by the Rocky Mountain News.
Needless to say, there is more things to do and see in Denver this week then there has ever been in any city I have ever been to. Life is a party here – Democratic and alcoholic.
