Spark Centennial is a pilot program that provides the community with resources to create temporary one-of-a-kind pop-up events.
The City assists citizens in the development of these events to help to spark interaction and connect the community by bringing new life to Centennial’s shopping centers. The City, which provided planning resources and funding make pop-up places a reality, is no longer accepting applications.
Recent Events
Spark Centennial has partnered with OhHeckYeah to bring a people-powered interactive game to The Streets at SouthGlenn throughout the holiday season. The video game engine, known as CATCHY: the Holi-play Edition, debuted at the shopping center’s popular Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting event November 22 across the street from where Hodson’s used to be. This experiential game is an extension of the Spark Centennial program’s continued goal of shopping center revitalization through creative placemaking and community wellness. CATCHY: the Holi-play Edition will be available for play through the first week of January.
OhHeckYeah currently has video game engines available at the Denver Botanic Gardens and Coors Field, and has worked with Arrow Electronics and Northeastern University as well, among others. A photo of what is at The Streets at Southglenn is pictured at left.
Past Events
The City held a free business strategy workshop Oct. 22 focused on getting businesses ready to capitalize on the “experience economy." The workshop was intended for retailers, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs.
The Experience Economy is one in which many goods or services are sold by emphasizing the effect they can have on people’s lives. Seventy-four percent of Americans prioritize experiences over products or things. Nationally, it’s estimated that consumers are spending $160 to $180 billion annually on experiences. In 2017, visitors to Colorado spent nearly $21 billion on experiencing our state.
Brian Corrigan of Futures United Network (FUN) and Downtown Colorado, Inc. led the workshop and taught participants how to create unique experiences that attract more customers and build a following.