Larimer Square will honor the legacy of Denver urban preservationist Dana Crawford on Saturday, July 19, with the inaugural Dana Day: A Tribute to Dana Crawford.
Crawford was the award-winning preservationist who pioneered the redevelopment of Denver’s original main street in the mid-1960s, creating a destination shopping and dining district from the neglected and abandoned buildings She passed away in January at the age of 93.
Created in collaboration with her family, friends and the city, Dana Day is designed to be an annual tribute to honor Crawford’s vision and her passion for the downtown Denver community and historic preservation. From music and art to stories and shared memories, Dana Day will be a lively, heartfelt tradition that keeps Crawford’s spirit shining in the city she helped to build.
Held from 1 – 6 p.m., Dana Day will feature remarks by Denver dignitaries. Enjoy dancing in the streets to live local jazz music by Denver’s DARUMA Band, the Ryan Benthall Quintet and Stephen Brooks Group, with great specials offered to help power the party, including food and drinks from Garage Sale Vintage, Rioja, Corridor 44, Disco Pig, Emerald Eye, Osteria Marco and NADC Burger.
The event is free and open to all, but advanced registration is requested at https://www.larimersquare.com/events/dana-day.
Larimer Square will make a donation to The Dana Crawford Preservation Program at the University of Colorado Denver in celebration of Dana Day, giving up to $25,000 based on 5 percent of sales made on the block during the celebration.
Larimer Square became Denver’s first historic district in 1971. The district’s landmark ambiance and unique mix of critically acclaimed restaurants and boutique shops draw more than 4.5 million people each year. Alongside popular concepts like Emerald Eye, Garage Sale, Bao Brewhouse and Disco Pig, the street also features one-of-a-kind award-winning chef-driven restaurants like Rioja created by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Jennifer Jasinski and Osteria Marco by Chef Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno. Between the restaurants, Larimer Square is dotted with a variety of unique and noteworthy shops like Dog Savvy, John Atencio, and Cotopaxi. The leadership team is working to keep Larimer Square the most vibrant and exciting block in Denver. For more information, please visit www.larimersquare.com,
