Millennium Celebration 2000
Tourism Star Award Recipient — 2001
When Denver Mayor Wellington Webb decides to throw a party, get ready for the event of the century. An estimated 250,000 people came to the 16th Street Mall to celebrate the true millennium, while hundreds of thousands more watched the biggest party in Denver’s history on television. Hotels were sold out, restaurants set business records, and the entire family-style event was fun, safe and an explosion of color and sound. .
Two of the world’s most renowned fireworks experts designed the show at the D&F Tower, firework artist Pierre-Alain Hubert of France and Gary Caimano of Western Enterprises. Private contributions were solicited to pay for a large percentage of the event, while Denver’s cultural facilities opened their doors with a free day. Traffic planners, police and safety officials orchestrated an event that kept downtown safe, fun and open for business.
The profile of each Tourism Star is reflective of the time of the award.