DENVER – There will be many unique sights and sounds provided by the sponsors and partners of the 27th annual A Taste of Colorado. The four-day, free admission, food, music, and entertainment Festival will take place Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3 through Sept. 6, in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park. Visitors are invited to check out the following special attractions.

Festival hours are Friday, Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 4, and Sunday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

See A Taste of Colorado Slideshow!

Check out the 100% reinvented 2011 Explorer at the All Area Access Tour. Experience the interactive simulator, and discover the new Terrain Management System, EcoBoost engine, and MyFord Touch.

The Boy Scouts of America is touring the country to give people a hands-on view of the organization’s 100 year history. Adventure Base 100 unfolds into 8,000-square-feet of immersive Scout-related experiences. Avoid the registration lines by pre-registering for your free Passport at adventurebase100.org.

CarterEnergy’s “What Will Fuel the Future?” educational RoadShow provides stimulating learning experiences about all things energy and is free for children of all ages. Visit WhatWillFueltheFuture.com for more information.

The Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Turbo Big Taste Tour will stop at A Taste of Colorado, offering free samples of new Dunkin’ Turbo coffee, featuring an extra boost of Dunkin’ Donuts flavor and available wherever you buy groceries.

Come by the FAGE tent and sample its “Ridiculously Thick Yogurt.” Try FAGE Greek Yogurt with honey, cherry, strawberry, and peach toppings.

Ford presents the 2011 Fiesta Lounge, an engaging, interactive space where you can learn about the 2011 Fiesta while enjoying music, social networking, and meeting new people.

Cool down with FRESHIES, Colorado’s award-winning “all-natural” gourmet cocktail mixes. Drinks include the Margarita, Tangerita, Mojito, Pomegranate Mojito, Bloody Mary, and Taste Twister.

Visit the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 booth and spin to win Breckenridge souvenirs.

Indulge your cheese tooth in the “You Know You Love It” kitchen. Kraft’s newest Macaroni & Cheese – Homestyle Deluxe combines real KRAFT cheese sauce with ridged elbow macaroni and a crunchy bread crumb topping. Try the Hearty Four Cheese with parmesan, asiago, colby, and cheddar cheeses.

Meet Celebrity Chef Sara Moulton at the Mission Menus Kitchen on Sat., Sept. 4th. Sample some of her family-friendly recipes with Mission Tortillas, designed to serve a family of five for under $10 and enter for a chance to win dozens of prizes. Visit MissionMenusChallenge.com for additional information.

Parents and children are invited to discover a whole new side of gaming at Nintendo’s Discovery Zone. Hands-on activities and exciting games will allow the whole family to get in the zone and play.

The Pepsi Refresh Project has given millions of dollars to communities across the country. Anyone can submit an idea. Think of an idea, choose one of six categories (health, the planet, art & culture, neighborhoods, food & shelter, and education), submit the idea, and then the public votes. Go to RefreshEverything.com to learn more and submit your idea. To refresh at the Festival, stop by one of the many Pepsi booths serving ice-cold Pepsi products.

The Purina® Pro Plan® Rally to Rescue® program helps pet rescue organizations across the country give rescue pets the nutrition and care they need and the loving homes they deserve.

Visit the Texas on Tour exhibit for an experiential virtual trip to the Lone Star state and a chance to win a free Texas vacation.

The hydrogen-powered Ford shuttle bus on display is the newest addition to the alternative fuel fleet at NREL (The National Renewable Energy Laboratory). The bus is DOE (U.S. Department of Energy)-funded and transports visitors around its Golden campus. Educational materials and displays about alternative energy will be available.

Your Colorado Buick and GMC Dealers will introduce the all-new Buick Regal, Buick LaCrosse, as well as the all-new GMC Terrain crossover. Visit the booth to see these new vehicles and learn how you can receive two free movie tickets.

The Festival will also be selling souvenirs, including shirts, hats, and more, to commemorate 27 years of Taste.

In addition to the Main Stage, four other entertainment stages located throughout the Festival will serve up a continuous menu of music, featuring rock, country, jazz, classic rock, blues, and ethnic music and dance groups.

More than 50 of Colorado’s favorite food establishments will be selling a wide variety of small portions to full meals, ensuring that there will be something for every palate. The Fine Dining area will host some of Denver’s finest restaurants. The Culinary Showcase features local and nationally-renowned chef demonstrations creating simple, yet elegant meals.

Festivalgoers can shop in more than 270 Marketplace booths for original arts and crafts, home and gift items, furniture, jewelry, imports, and more. Fine Art in the Park will display original works in a variety of mediums created by artists from around the country. Shoppers also can explore the Home & Lifestyles area, which features a variety of exhibitors displaying products and services such as window installation, kitchen remodeling, cookware, basement refinishing, and salons and spas.

There will be plenty of music, magic, clowns, and puppets on the KidzStage, and the KidZone features play equipment and hands-on craft activities. Kids and adults also can enjoy carnival rides and games Saturday through Monday.

See A Taste of Colorado Slideshow!

In the Festival of Mountain and Plain area, families can learn about the state’s pioneer past, nature, and the environment. Featured artisans will demonstrate Navajo weaving and culture, spinning, rug braiding, lace crocheting, felting, and quilting, along with the popular blacksmith demonstration. At the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program exhibit, children can learn about birds and their environment, along with their interactions with humans. Free gold panning and educational materials about dinosaurs, volcanoes, rocks and minerals, and energy production and conservation are available at the Colorado Mining Foundation Exhibit.

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