Fireworks are a "go"

Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 30, 2006 at midnight

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While Mother Nature ends the year with a one-two punch, downtown Denver event planners are making sure 2007 begins with a bang.

The 5th annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks show will go on as planned, say event coordinators.

The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, which co-sponsors the show, has been working since last week on snow removal and cleanup on the 16th Street Mall.

"It’s all systems go," said Susan Rogers-Kark, director for Downtown Denver Events, Inc., producer of the fireworks show.

This year, maintenance crews are working 12-hour shifts, clearing the sidewalks and transit lanes of snow. Snow clearing equipment is also helping out.

"We’re taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that any snow-related concerns are addressed," said Don Pesek, BID operations manager.

There are two fireworks shows: one at 9 p.m. Sunday for families who plan on making it an early night; another at the stroke of midnight. About 185,000 people are expected to turn out.

Rogers-Kark explained that the display is designed so that fireworks are launched simultaneously from the tops of two undisclosed buildings that are at least 10 stories high."This will allow optimum viewing of the fireworks show from anywhere along the 16th Street Mall, from Civic Center to Lodo," she said.

The show promises some new features, including new colors and burst effects. A burst one minute before the new year will give crowds a heads up.

For more information and updates on the celebration, call 303-534-6161 or visit the Downtown Denver Partnership website at www.downtowndenver.com

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