In the interest of full transparency, I feel that my review of the Denver Home & Garden Show (DHAGS) be preceded by a disclosure of all my links to the organization and biases that may affect this article:
First things first, I am not employed by or contracted by the Denver Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) or the Department of Special Events (DSE). Nor was contacted by any members of these departments asking me expressly to come to the show. I was, however, given a complimentary ticket to the event in exchange for writing this review.
When I went to pick up the ticket from the DHAGS offices, I was greeted by Tracy Smith. Tracy easily answered all the questions that I had about the event, and even laughed when I sneezed and then joked that “I’m just allergic to all these great gardens!” This was a nice moment that brought a smile to my face. My therapist has been telling me to approach more things with a sense of humor, so it was nice to have some positive reinforcement in the form of a little giggle. Therefore, any mention of Tracy Smith or the general tone of DHAGS officials should be critically reviewed with this knowledge.
I received the ticket and media kit in a nice manilla folder which I have since re-purposed to hold all of my Comcast bills in one location. I do realize I could have easily bought more folders myself with my own money, but Staples only sells them in packs of 20. And at the moment I don’t have that many Comcast bills and I don’t need that many folders. Thus, all comments the organization of the festival, or any of the paperwork that I had to fill out to attend, must be taken with a grain of salt.
I will also admit that, having come to the show in years prior, I have had the opportunity to befriend multiple vendors who may be prone to show me special treatment. Last year, I was feeling a little under the weather and Bob Kurtyle, of Kurtlye Hardware, gave me a cup of hot tea to help sooth my ailing throat. I told him I would pay for it (as to maintain my journalistic integrity), but he repeatedly told me “your money’s no good here.” I slipped 2 dollars into his coat when he wasn’t looking, but 2 hours later Bob tracked me down and gave it right back. Thus, any mention of Kurtlye Hardware or their large selection of well-made tools and home improvement products must be analyzed with this information in mind.
Finally, upon leaving the festival my car would not start. I called my wife to come to the parking garage with jumper cables, but she told that she was at work and for me “to grow a brass pair and ask around.” I then proceeded to seek out help from one of the parking attendants. He was a lovely young man who helped jumpstart my car and even gave me a lesson on how to do it. He did not share with me any of his opinions about the Home & Garden show, but nonetheless, any mention of how the general public felt should be viewed with this bias in mind.
Now, onto the review!