We want to start this blog post with an enormous THANK YOU to everyone who participated and sponsored International Archaeology Day (IAD) 2023! We were absolutely blown away by the attendance this year and received so much amazing feedback. Visitors were thrilled that the event was free and were shocked at how many engaging and quality exhibits there were. They also raved about our presenters!! This was all THANKS TO YOU, and we are just filled to the brim with gratitude!
Our final count at the welcome table was an impressive 997 guests with another 300+ guests at our tours and offsite activities!! These offsite offerings included the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp Tour and Seven Ladders Rock Tour at Red Rocks Park, the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, Lamb Springs Archaeological Preserve and Roxborough State Park. We're also making plans to streamline this process for next year to address some issues with "no-shows” as we had plenty of guests reach out right before the event for tour spots. Don't worry! We heard you and we're working on improving our experiences for next year. Overall, people were excited and pleased at what we offered, and that's a testament to your support!
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the event was the incredible turnout of volunteers and exhibitors. About 50 dedicated individuals showed up to help make IAD a huge success! We've already started a list for next year, so if you're interested in participating or volunteering, please let us know. Your enthusiasm and support are what make this event possible. Fill out our volunteer form here!
International Archaeology Day 2023 also boasted an impressive array of exhibitors, bringing together a diverse group of organizations and experts to showcase the rich world of archaeology and history. From educational institutions like Metro State and Community College of Denver, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the University of Denver's Anthropology Department to a tipi demonstration and earth watercolors by the Northern Arapaho and poster displays about Israeli Archaeology, the event offered a comprehensive glimpse into the field of cultural resources. Additionally, activities like Hands-on-Pottery, learning more about the Fur Trade, playing Lithophones, and discovering the Egyptian Studies Society added fascinating hands-on experiences. Expert flintknappers Tyson Arnold, Christian Driver, Tim Evans, and Jason Albert demonstrated the intricate art of flintknapping. With numerous other exhibitors, the event truly celebrated the vast spectrum of archaeology and its impact on our understanding of the past.
Here's a list of all of our participants in International Archaeology Day 2023! If you are part of an organization that would be interested in participating in next year for IAD 2024, please fill out our form here! It’s completely free to participate!
American Institute of Archaeology - Denver Chapter | Israeli Archaeology |
American Museum of Western Art | Jeffco Open Space |
Art and Archaeology | Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve |
Aurora Museum and Historic Sites | Lithophones |
Colorado Archaeology Society | Mesoamerican Archaeology |
Community Connections LLC | Metcalf Archaeological Consultants |
Denver Museum of Nature and Science | Metropolitan State & Community College of Denver |
Douglas County | Projectile Points Database Program |
University of Denver, Anthropology Dept | Roxborough State Park: Face Painting, Foraging, Leave No Trace |
Earth Watercolors by the Northern Arapaho Tribe | Red Rocks Outdoor Recreation Team |
Egyptian Studies Society | History Colorado, State Historic Fund, PAAC |
ERO Resources Corporation | South Park Site Stewards |
Evolution Laboratories LLC | Statistical Research Inc. |
Explore the Fur Trade | Tetra Tech |
Hands on Pottery | Tipi Demonstration by the Northern Arapaho Tribe |
History Colorado - Emery Archaeological Lab | Flintknapping |
Interpret Site Inc | Roxborough Area Historical Society |
In addition to hosting a diverse array of 30+ exhibitors, International Archaeology Day 2023 offered our guests a culinary treat with the presence of two fantastic food trucks: A Lady in the Wild and Native Grill. These culinary delights were a hit with our attendees, and Native Grill's popularity was so overwhelming that they ran out of food by the end of the event!
This year, we introduced a charming beer garden, featuring historic braggot beer, cream ale, and root beer, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the event. What makes this even more special is that all the proceeds from beverage sales went directly to our non-profit partner for International Archaeology Day, Colorado Preservation Inc (CPI). We are thrilled to announce that we raised around $1,400 from the beer garden, which will be directed towards supporting the exceptional preservation work carried out by CPI.
The event was also a showcase of creativity, with approximately $1,500 in shirt sales. These funds will be reserved for future IAD events, ensuring that we can continue to provide unforgettable experiences for our attendees. Visitors loved the artistic designs on the shirts, and we're excited to announce that Elena Haverluk will be gracing us with her beautiful artwork for next year's event. It's clear that International Archaeology Day is not just about history, but also about creating memorable moments and fostering a strong sense of community.
Merchandise Available!
For those who want to grab a piece of IAD memorabilia, we have quite a few shirts left from the merch table. Each year we will be creating new IAD shirts with Elena’s beautiful artwork. We only have a few left from IAD 2023! Make sure you get yours! These shirts are available for $20 each, and the funds from these sales will be used to make next year's IAD even more spectacular. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you're interested in purchasing some. Contact us at info@communityconnections.llc.
We're always looking for ways to improve and enhance IAD, and we've already collected a slew of notes ourselves for things to streamline for next year. But we also value your input. If you have any constructive feedback or suggestions, please consider taking our survey. Your insights can help us make IAD 2024 even better!
International Archaeology Day 2023 was an incredible success, thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors and contributors. These organizations and individuals, along with grant funding of $45,000 from History Colorado through our non-profit partner Colorado Preservation Inc, played a vital role in making the event a reality. Community Connections LLC, along with the IAD Committee, raised over $20,000 in addition to the grant funds, showcasing the remarkable strength and commitment of our community to preserving and celebrating our rich cultural heritage. Their generosity allowed us to offer an unforgettable experience to our attendees, reinforcing the importance of archaeology in our society.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making International Archaeology Day 2023 a resounding success. We can't wait to see you again next year, and with your continued support, we're confident that it will be an even more remarkable event!
As the season's chill sets in and snow begins to blanket the ground, we'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us on this incredible journey through a multitude of amazing projects. With the holiday season approaching, we'll be taking a short break from posting blogs. However, rest assured that we'll be back in the New Year with an exciting array of fresh and captivating content to share with you.
In the meantime, why not catch up on
our previous blogs? They're packed with fascinating insights into the world of archaeology. And be sure to stay tuned for even more archaeology adventures in 2024!
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Warm Wishes!
Jasmine & Jess (J&J) 🌳
@CommunityConnectionsLLC
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