Denver's Historic Larimer Square Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Historic Preservation

DENVER, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 2015 marks the 50^th anniversary of historic preservation for Larimer Square, Denver's first and oldest downtown shopping, dining and entertainment district. To celebrate the golden anniversary, Larimer Square is partnering with its unique and independent mix of retailers and the block's many notable chefs and restaurateurs to host over a dozen special events throughout the year.

Planned celebrations include a special "Stories from the Square" speaker series where Larimer Square will host five panel discussions throughout the year, each focusing on a topic that honors the history of Larimer Square and features business & industry leaders, developers, historians and Denver icons. Larimer Square will also host an official celebration on Saturday, August 15 to mark this milestone anniversary as well as surprise visitors throughout the year with 50^th anniversary commemorative items and special activities on the square.

Signature events include the popular Dining Al Fresco nights when some of the region's best chefs celebrate the warm weather of summer and the season's best produce by serving their guests seated outside in the blocked off street under Larimer Square's canopy of lights, the annual Denver Chalk Art Festival that draws artists from around the state and around the world to the block to showcase their talents on the beloved street, and the return of Le Jardin Secret, the popular European-style open air market held every Saturday from June 6^th through September 26^th.  

"When I took over ownership of this block back in 1993, it was an architecturally beautiful area filled with large, national chain stores. In order to create a memorable, unreplicated visitor experience, we carefully curated a mix of independent shop owners and chefs that were local, artisanal and in many cases, exclusive to Denver. That we're getting the opportunity to celebrate Larimer Square's 50^th Anniversary at a time of rapid expansion is a testament to the success of our growth strategy for the block," said Jeff Hermanson, President & CEO of Larimer Associates, the company that owns and manages Larimer Square.

Featured 2015 special events on Larimer Square include:

St. Jude Glamour & Giving
Friday, May 15^th 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver

• Join us for Denver's third annual, ladies-only event benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. St. Jude Glamour and Giving is an evening of trendy styles showcased on the catwalk by the boutiques of Larimer Square, in-person beauty consultations and makeovers by Bravo TV's Matthew Morris Salon and Skincare, delicious Four Seasons Hotel cuisine, signature cocktail blends served by liquid chefs, shopping at fabulous Pop-Up boutiques, and enchanting live and silent auction experiences. Only 250 tickets available at stjude.org/glamourandgiving 

Le Jardin Secret
Saturdays, June 6 – September 26
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (or until goods sell out)
Bistro Vendome Courtyard

• Le Jardin Secret is not your average summer market. At this French-inspired chefs' market, foodies can shop for dairy, meat, bread, produce and other goods – all with a mimosa in hand. Think perfect tomatoes, French cheeses, grassfed tenderloins and artisanal bread. Carefully selected vendors like Grateful Bread Company, Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe and the Truffle Cheese Shop will sell a variety of ingredients and products specifically curated for the home chef. Top chefs from Euclid Hall, Bonanno Group, Bistro Vendome, Metropolitan State University culinary students, and many more will also be demonstrating some favorite culinary techniques. Free parking is available on the top levels of the Larimer Square garage (14^th and Market Streets) during market hours.              

13^th Annual Denver Chalk Art Festival presented by KURIOS
Friday, June 5^th 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 6^th 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 7^th 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Outside on the Square

• More than 200 professional, amateur and student artists return to Larimer Square for the annual Denver Chalk Art Festival. Enjoy live music, fabulous food and refreshing beverages while watching Larimer Street become a museum of chalk art over the course of this free, three-day interactive art festival.

Dining Al Fresco on Larimer Square
June 13^th, July 11^th and August 15^th
5:00 p.m.
Outside on the Square

• Join the award-winning restaurants of Larimer Square as they extend their patios into the streets for a one-of-a-kind dining experience on Denver's most charming block. With happy hour festivities, dinner, and an evening under the stars, Dining Al Fresco is one of the city's best summer scenes. Reservations are available through participating restaurants.

Peachy Larimer Square Sidewalk Sale
Friday, July 24^th 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 25^th 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26^th 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Outside on the Square

• Historic Larimer Square will host its annual Peachy Sidewalk Sale in July. Savvy shoppers know that they will find fantastic deals, up to 75% off on designer clothing, accessories and more from more than 20 Larimer Square retail shops. Come early on Friday and get free Colorado peaches while supplies last.

L.E.G. Valet App on Larimer Square
Summer 2015

• Valet parking is going to get even easier on Larimer Square this summer with the launch of the L.E.G. Valet App, a user-friendly service app that allows visitors to request their vehicle return with no waiting in line and pay for valet parking in multiple LoDo locations with your car always ready to come to you by using the app on your smartphone.

The Original Block Party: Celebrate 50 years of Denver's Most Beautiful Block
Saturday, August 15^th 8:00 p.m. – midnight

• Celebrate Larimer Square's 50^th milestone at our golden anniversary party after our signature August Dining al Fresco evening. Open to the public, we'll have adult games like giant Jenga, putt-putt golf, giant beer pong, a graffiti wall, a photo booth, live music from "Newgrass" band The Whitfields and In Tandem, a beer garden, great food, live art, a commemorative 50^th anniversary beer, special surprises and lots of fun.

Larimer Square Speaker Series
May * June * July * August * September

• Hear from industry experts on topics including responsible historic re-development, the history of Larimer Square, experts in deliberate urban planning, etc.

Firefighter Chili Cook Off to benefit MDA
Friday, October 2^nd

• It's going to be hot on Larimer Square as hundreds of Denver firefighters representing dozens of local and national firehouses will compete with their best red and green chili to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Dia de Los Muertos
Friday, October 30^th

• Join Metro State University, also celebrating their 50^th Anniversary,  on Larimer Square for a colorful display of Mexican flags, sugar skull painting, shopping, dining and more to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.

Winter Fashion Show
Thursday, November 19^th
EDGE Restaurant at The Four Seasons

• Kick off the holidays in style at the annual Larimer Square winter fashion show. Models will strut the runway wearing the latest winter must-have trends from Larimer Square's chic boutiques as guests mix and mingle. Entry is free and open to the public and food and drink will be available for purchase.

Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28^th

• Shop small and support the independently-owned businesses of Larimer Square on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Yuletide Window Walk
Saturday, December 5^th 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Visit Larimer Square to get into the holiday spirit with the annual Yuletide Window Walk. Local artists will transform the windows of the Square's various boutiques into fine art celebrating the holiday spirit.

About Larimer Square

Larimer Square, a single historic block located between 14^th and 15^th on Larimer Street in downtown Denver, is home to more than 20 independently owned and unique boutiques and has one of the region's most significant collections of exclusive, chef-owned restaurants. For more information on 50^th anniversary happenings, contests, special offers and other events, visit LarimerSquare.com or follow the Square on Facebook at facebook.com/larimersquare and on Instagram at Larimer_Square.

About MSU

For 50 years Metropolitan State University of Denver has transformed the lives of students, served as a courageous leader in higher education and boldly advanced the well-being of metro Denver communities. Throughout its history, the University has been known as a gateway to opportunity through broad access, quality academics and education relevant to the Colorado economy. The yearlong MSU Denver anniversary celebration commemorates the creation in 1965 by the Colorado General Assembly of the state's first urban higher education institution. 

SOURCE Larimer Square

Related Links

http://www.larimersquare.com