Editor's Note: Denver7 360 stories explore multiple sides of the topics that matter most to Coloradans, bringing in different perspectives so you can make up your own mind about the issues. To comment on this or other 360 stories, email us at 360@TheDenverChannel.com. See more 360 stories here.
DENVER -- After a half-year wait since its announcement, the Grandoozy is finally here. The event will be Denver's first major music festival in eight years, and the three-day concert is expected to draw between 60,000 to 100,000 people this weekend.
It is going to have a major impact on people, even if you're not attending.
Let’s start with the traffic. There are already road closures in place.
One lane of Santa Fe Drive to the east of the Overland Park Golf Course is closed for Uber and Lyft pick-ups and drop offs, as well as a family and friends drop-off spot.
Florida Ave. to the north of the course is closed, as well as Jewell Ave. to the south for bus drop-offs and pick-ups.
It’s presented as a no-parking event.
So, what about those huge crowds, potential damage to the golf course and noise? Event promoters indicate they’ve thought of everything and anticipate very few issues.
"This is going to be something extraordinary," said a spokesman for Superfly, the company behind the festival.
But whether it lives up to the hype as the dooziest multi-day concert of all... well, that's still debatable.
“I don't like the fact that there's going to be 100,000 people in my neighborhood," said neighbor Scott Miller. “They do what they want. They have all the money. They're in control. They don't care about us.”
"It's happening, so we're hoping for the best,” said Helene Orr, who lives right across the street from the golf course and consequently, the Grandoozy main stage.
"We've always been inspired to do something here," said a Superfly spokesman.
Colorado is a music mecca with venues like Red Rocks and Fiddler's Green, yet Denver has been without a music festival since 2010, when the Mile High Music Festival went belly-up citing the economic downturn.
Superfly says it's time for a restart.
"We want to be a great partner,” said a spokesman.
But, is it worth it? Clearly, the City of Denver thinks it is. The revenue sharing agreement could net the city anywhere from $1.6 to $2.6 million, depending on ticket sales.
Money the city says could be used for new restrooms and landscaping at Overland Park.
Some golfers support it, others do not.
"If there's something out here that's going to help the community raise money – I’m always for something like that,” said a golfer.
"I've been against it the entire time,” said another. “I feel like the course may be in horrific shape after the event."
The vast majority of neighbors say it's going to be a nightmare.
"There are going to be people in the alley,” Miller said. There are going to be people peeing on my yard."
"Quality of life and peace of mind,” Orr said. “That’s what’s at stake. And also, the neighborhood's much too close for something of this magnitude. Honestly, the city didn't care. Nobody cared."
So, will it succeed?
Organizers say there's no doubt.
"Hopefully it’ll bring people from outside of Denver and Colorado to come visit. And see all that's great about Denver and Colorado."
Orr says Superfly has agreed to relocate residents with serious medical issues to hotels to avoid the crowds.
"Which is great,” Orr said. “I mean, they didn't have to do it."
And Superfly provided each resident with two free tickets to all three days.
But, even with a lineup that includes Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine and Stevie Wonder – neighbors are still anxious.
"I don't care if Stevie Wonder comes,” Miller said. “You know, I love Stevie Wonder. He's a great musician and all that. But, you're coming into my neighborhood and you're going to rock my neighborhood for three days? I'm not down with that, man."
