A century ago, Denver’s first Democratic National Convention was a chance for the city to show itself off to the rest of the world as a burgeoning cosmopolitan center. City leaders erected the Denver Arena Auditorium, now the site of the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre. Lakeside Amusement Park also opened its gates that year to welcome convention-goers.
Today at 1 p.m., an organization called "Celebrate 1908" is kicking off its commemoration of the century-old convention with a series of theatrical acts and lectures surrounding social issues at the time. "Celebrate 1908" organizer Gregorio Alcaro has collected thousands of dollars worth of artifacts from 1908, which will be on display. The event runs today and tomorrow at the Historic Turnhalle Tivoli Student Union on the Auraria Campus, at 900 Auraria Parkway in Denver. Tickets cost $15 for regular admission, students and seniors pay $10 and children under 12 get in for $3. To see a full schedule of events, visit the "Celebrate 1908" Web site.
