Even the best-run festivals experience lines, technical issues and other frustrations that come with running a large, public event. But by all accounts, last year’s Velorama bike-and-music festival debut in RiNo definitely could have gone smoother.
While organizers are promising a tighter, more efficient Velorama this year, here are some things to keep in mind before heading down to the festival, which runs Aug. 17-19 at 27th and Blake Streets.
1. Tickets, Please
General-admission tickets to Aug. 17-18 are $55 per day and Aug. 19 is $10. Three-day festival passes are available for $110 (kids 10 and under are free). Premium tickets ($90 Aug. 17-18; $30 Sunday; $180 festival pass) include views from a private area close to the stage, private bar and restrooms, and a dedicated festival entrance, while VIP tickets are $250 per day and $600 for the festival, and include Premium amenities plus drinks, food and a tented area. General-admission single-day tickets do not permit reentry, but Premium and VIP or 3-day GA ticket holders can leave and come back. Finally, those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. (eventbrite.com)
2. App It Up
Unlike last year, there are two smartphone apps to consider — the Velorama app (for the festival) and the Colorado Classic app (for the race). “The race app is where you’re going to watch the race on your mobile device,” said David Koff, CEO of event producer RPM Events Group. The festival app features a customizable schedule, site map, music samples, news and more. Visit veloramafestival.com and coloradoclassic.com to download them for free, available for both iPhone and Android devices.
3. Know Your Route
There is no Rockies game to contend with (Velorama works around the team’s road schedule), but Sunday festival-goers could see delays due to the Aug. 19 men’s and women’s circuit through City Park, which means road closures going east out of the RiNo neighborhood. Plan to ride a bike, take public transportation or drive from I-70 to Brighton Boulevard, Koff said. Full street closure information and maps are available on the festival and race apps and at velorama.com.
4. Getting Inside
Despite sitting within throwing distance of Coors Field, attendees will want to avoid driving if possible. “I think we’ll be in the 12,000 to 15,000-person range on Friday and Saturday nights, and another 5,000 to 6,000 on Sunday — maybe more,” Koff said. The paid parking lot, in Rockies Lot A (Park Avenue West and Wazee Street) is easy to find, he said, while adding that VIP parking will be located at 26th and Blake Streets. A bike corral will (appropriately) sit next to the main entrance at 27th and Blake Streets, and another pedestrian entrance has been added at 29th and Blake.
5. Tuned Up
While the festival lineup still betrays a fondness for indie-rock, this year’s 14 artists lean slightly more mainstream in their appeal, with Modest Mouse, The Kills, Hop Along and Slow Caves starting at 5 p.m. on Aug. 17; The Growlers, Cold War Kids, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Lo Moon and Brent Cowles starting at 4 p.m. Aug. 18; and Matt and Kim, Cults, Wildermiss, Tracksuit Wedding and The Shacks starting at 4 p.m. Aug. 19.
6. Stay Classic, Colorado
Velorama is about celebrating cycling, so learn about the Colorado Classic and other cycling-focused activities beforehand. Some of the best views of Stages 3 and 4 (Aug. 18-19) of the Colorado Classic, which will bring 150-plus top, international pro men and women cyclists from 30 international teams, are on the festival site. That’s also where the start and finish are located, as well as a criterium course, pro rider and team sign-ins, and each day’s award ceremonies. On Aug. 18, the Stage 3 women’s race will take place there in its entirety (a timed criterium with more than 25 laps, starting at 12:30 pm.)
7. Eat, Drink and Be Merry
RiNo Drinks-approved vendors include locals Bigsby’s Folly, Ratio Beerworks, Black Shirt Brewing Co., C Squared Ciders, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Epic Brewing, the Infinite Monkey Theorem, Great Divide Brewing Co., Mockery Brewing Co., Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company, Stem Ciders and Odell Brewing Co. Food will be available from Adobo, Ba-Nom-a-Nom, Barbed Wire Reef, Biju’s Little Curry, Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Boulder Acai, Budlong Chicken, Kona Ice, Las Cazuelas de Fer, OG Burger, Rocky Mountain Slices, Super Heady Tacos, Top Dawg Sausages, TRU ColoTexMex Bar-B-Que, Vegan Van and WongWayVeg.
8. ‘Til the Break of Dawn
Afterparties will abound in the RiNo neighborhood, given the participation of so many local businesses. While there are no official Velorama post-festival events, according to Koff, Velorama is cooperating with its Drink RiNo partners to put them in touch with bands for potential pop-up shows — given that noise ordinances require Velorama’s outdoor stage to shut down by 10 p.m. Also check out venues such as the Larimer Lounge and Globe Hall for potential surprises around the festival. rinoartdistrict.org
Reader support helps bring you quality local journalism like this. Please consider becoming a subscriber.
Your first month is only 99 cents.
[Read More …]
No comments:
Post a Comment