Festivities at Fairmount Cemetery

A party at Fairmount Cemetery? Ghoulish as that may sound, the resting place’s tranquil, tree-dappled setting is the perfect backdrop for a celebration this evening of Colorado’s August 1, 1876 statehood. As Westword noted in its recent exploration of Alameda Avenue, Fairmount has always freelanced as a Denver park, since...

By Joel Warner

August 1, 2008

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A party at Fairmount Cemetery? Ghoulish as that may sound, the resting place’s tranquil, tree-dappled setting is the perfect backdrop for a celebration this evening of Colorado’s August 1, 1876 statehood.

As Westword noted in its recent exploration of Alameda Avenue, Fairmount has always freelanced as a Denver park, since its abundant greenery has long been a rare thing around these parched-prairie parts. So tonight, just like in the old days, those who still very much cling to the mortal coil will frolic among those who’ve shuffled off it at Fairmount, 430 South Quebec Street, as part of the cemetery’s fourth annual free concert in honor of Colorado Day (that’s right, today’s a holiday; why are you at work?). Visitors alive and otherwise are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy while being serenaded by the sounds of the Denver Municipal Jazz Band on the steps of the Fairmount Mausoleum. The festivities begin at 6 p.m.; for more information, call 303-322-3895. – Joel Warner

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Joel Warner is a former staff writer for Westword and International Business Times. He's also written for WIRED, Men's Journal, Men's Health, Bloomberg Businessweek, Popular Science, Slate, Grantland and many other publications. He's co-author of the 2014 book The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny, published by Simon & Schuster.

Contact: Joel Warner