The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup Sunday night, and the post-game bacchanal was just taste of the celebrations in town this week -- including a massive rally at Civic Center Park.
This week's fun, particularly the Thursday downtown takeover, should be a little less rowdy than victory night.
What happened Sunday night, anyhow?
On Sunday, chairs and tables were thrown, scooters were hung from traffic lights, riot cops were deployed, and fireworks were shot off near downtown. All that chaos led to just one arrest of a 20 year old at Market and 20th streets for setting off a firework, according to the Denver Police Department.
On Thursday, the city center will be rife with revelry. Cops will be out. And hopefully, there will be no DIY fireworks.
What's the plan?
On Thursday morning, at 10 a.m., the Avs will parade from Union Station, at 17th and Wynkoop streets, down 17th Street to Broadway, and down Broadway to Civic Center Park for a massive rally.
The festivities with start at Civic Center Park at 9 a.m. with live music. Video from the parade and clips from the Avalanche's 2022 season will be projected for all to enjoy.
The rally officially starts at noon and ends by 1 p.m.
Expect hundreds of thousands of fans to show up early to get close to the stage. Civic Center Park will officially open at 5 a.m., and the City expects people to arrive even earlier.
Ultimately, fans and Mayor Michael Hancock will take over downtown to fête the champs: the players, coaches, management, owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, the Avalanche mascot Bernie and the ice patrol.
Will this be a drunken mess?
It shouldn't be.
Booze, weed and other drugs are prohibited. Fans and their bags are subject to search.
Any other rules?
Leave your chairs and big bags at home. Same with various types of seating, blankets, tarps, beach towels, rugs, parachutes, etc....
No inflatable objects like beach balls and balloons.
No cans or bottles. No grills, propane or fuel.
Leave your guns and knives and pepper spray and stun guns and swords and battle axes and concealed weapons behind. Same with umbrellas, coolers, briefcases and other hard objects that could serve as bludgeoning tools.
No air horns, whistles or vuvuzelas (you know, the long plastic horns).
No donkeys. No chickens. No goldfish. The only animals permitted are service animals.
No chemicals (or chemistry sets, kids!). Fireworks, smoke grenades and other explosives are prohibited.
No drones or audio and video recording devices, tripods or large cameras. No laser pointers or police and emergency radio scanners.
And skateboards and roller blades must stay behind.
Is there anything we can bring?
Sunscreen! Water (with electrolytes)! Food! All the Avs gear that is allowed!
No haters, but lots of hatters... or at least hats. Wear one.
What's the best way to get downtown?
Not by car, that's for sure. There will be little to no parking. If you have to drive, park far from Civic Center Park and hike to the party.
Trains and buses are a great way downtown, and you can check out a full list of routes at the RTD website. Many lines will be shut down, so plan ahead.
Biking and scooting also work well. Just know the rules and plan your routes, wear a helmet, bring a lock and know how to use it.
What about the City and County building? Are court cases canceled for the day?
No such luck. City offices, including the courts, are open for business.
People who need to go to court and access other services must use the south entrance off of 14th Avenue.
For those who can't be there (or want to enjoy the fun with an early morning drink), you can still tune in.
Watch live on Denver Channel 7 and Altitude Sports.
Altitude Radio, 92.5 FM, will also cover the fun.
Where can I find out more info?
The city is posting regular updates at the Colorado Avalanche website.
