If you saw the title of this post and didn’t know what the term “Opening Day” meant, then you may be a new kid in town. The Rockies first game in Denver might as well be a citywide holiday. The RTD is packed with purple, rooftop bars are overflowing on a Friday by noon, and Denverites gather for the first big celebration of spring. It’s sort of magical really. At 2:10 tomorrow the assorted balloons will begin to fly and a feeling of pure excitement will emerge among the crowd. We’ll nod to one another and cheers our group of friends. One of America’s best baseball fields will be open for the season. Play ball!
If you aren’t sure how to navigate this sporting festivity, do not fear. With multiple years of home openers under our belts, here is a streamlined guide of what you need to know.
Transportation: Walk, Uber, ride… as previously noted, RTD will be jammed packed with other eager fans. Check the schedule, be safe and don’t waste your money on outrageously expensive parking downtown.
I’m not actually going to the game: Most of the city isn’t! There are plenty of events happening throughout various neighborhoods. Avanti is opening early for the game at 10:00am, Rino’s Beryl’s Beer Co. will be serving complimentary hot dogs, and the Market Street strip will be out of control with party animals (beware of long bar lines).
Outfit recommendations: Casual. It’s baseball, no need to get fancy. Don’t have any home-team attire? No worries. Black is a staple to the Rockies’ uniform, you totally have something in your closet that will work. And, if you plan on making a bar crawl out of the day, wear appropriate shoes!
Just in case: Drink water! Yes, I said it. If you are meeting your friends for mimosas in the morning and plan to stay out until the end of the game, you need to hydrate. Also, wear sunscreen. Lucky for us, the sun will be shining all day, but don’t fry your skin while sitting on a patio or in the ball field. And remember, eat. You may have to venture away from Coors Field following the game to find some grub, but that’s ok. Head up (or down) the street to fuel up on food and find some space.
Like I said, it’s kind of a magical day, so get out and enjoy. And, for a little throwback fun, Happy Opening Day circa 2012 from your two favorite bloggers! As always, let’s go Rockies!!