Park Place

Today, Rocky Mountain National Park is kicking off a centennial celebration that will last 365 days. Modeled after other national parks' yearlong festivities, RMNP is throwing down with big events throughout the next twelve months, culminating with a re-dedication of the park on September 4, 2015 – its actual hundredth...

By Bree Davies

August 28, 2014

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Today, Rocky Mountain National Park is kicking off a centennial celebration that will last 365 days. Modeled after other national parks' yearlong festivities, RMNP is throwing down with big events throughout the next twelve months, culminating with a re-dedication of the park on September 4, 2015 – its actual hundredth birthday.

"We didn't want to celebrate for just a day or a week, because we wanted to include as many people and communities as we could, so we're celebrating for a year," says RMNP spokeswoman Kyle Patterson. Wilderness experts will talk about the park's history at this opening ceremony, and people of all ages are encouraged to come out and learn more about the park and enjoy an afternoon of fun and games.

Throughout the year, an ice cream social, guided tours, landscape-painting sessions and more will take place both inside the park and in the surrounding communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. The park is also currently collecting photographs and stories from visitors through Facebook, asking folks to share memories of the last 100 years to share with the public.

Rocky Mountain National Park's Centennial Celebration Kick-off Ceremony is today from 1 to 3 p.m. Buses will run from the Fairgrounds Park and Ride at 1209 Manford Avenue in Estes Park to Hidden Valley, on the east side of the park, for festivities. The event is free; for more information and a full list of events and dates, visit nps.gov or follow the park's Facebook page for updates.
Wed., Sept. 3, 1-3 p.m., 2014

Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

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