Fat Tuesday parades through downtown

The Wynkoop livens up Lodo for Lent

The Wynkoop Brewing Company once again kicked off the Fat Tuesday libations thru the streets of Lower Downtown on Feb. 24 for Denver’s largest Mardi Gras celebration. The party began at 4 p.m. at Wazee Supper Club, when the First Parade, led by this year’s honorary marshal (GABF medalist and Wynkoop brewer Andy Brown), swaggered the sacrificial keg of Big Easy Black Voodoo Lager down Wazee and 18th Streets.

Various krewes from the Goosetown Tavern, the Pearl Street Grill, the Cherry Cricket, El Camino and others flaunted their costumes for the amusement of like-minded revelers and unsuspecting bar patrons.

Upon returning the keg to the brew house of its inception, it was dramatically violated and emptied of its contents on the spot. All with proper eyewear and skid-proof footwear vied for a taste of the rich amber ale as it poured freely from its ruptured cask.

The day’s live entertainment included Joe Bonner playing piano jazz in the main restaurant, while the Kent HS R&B Ensemble (under the direction of Stephen Holley) got the real noise started. Then came the parades, either from the Wazee or other local taverns, converging upon the Wynkoop at staggered times throughout the evening. After 7 p.m. the momentum shifted upstairs to the pool hall for some New Orleans style funk and jazz with The O-tones, an 8-piece brass band that’ll kept the Mardi Gras masses stompin’ and shuffling for the rest of the night.