Rapids Fans Rejoice the Return of Annual Season Kickoff Party, Get First Glimpse of New Day Kit
March 2, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
The Colorado Rapids celebrated the start of the season on Wednesday night at the 2023 Season Kickoff Party, where fans, players and members of the Colorado community came together to preview the season and see the New Day Kit in person for the first time.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rapids haven't been able to host the fan-forward event since February 2020 when the party was held at Denver's Dairy Block microdistrict. For context, players were modeling the Nine Six kit, honoring 25 years of MLS, and head coach Robin Fraser was entering his first full season at the helm.
Since then, Rapids fans had been anticipating a party to rival the 90's-themed celebration at Dairy Block. This year, the club delivered with a party that highlighted new players, a fresh take on viewership through Apple TV's MLS Season Pass, and of course, the standout New Day Kit.
The Rapids roster showed off their new threads on Wednesday night as they walked the runway in New Day Kits designed by local artist Pat Milbery. The blue, orange and fuschia colors taken from Colorado sunrises and sunsets adorned the space as fans got a glimpse of their favorite players in a blue Rapids jersey for the first time since 2014.
"I love having a blue kit again. I was so stoked for it," said Matthew Wickham as he waited for his New Day Kit to be pressed with "Rosenberry" and number 2 on the back at the party.
"I mean, having seen Pat's mural at the park last season, and that being the teaser into what to expect this season, I liked all the hype born into it."
Allie Nychka repeated Wickham's sentiments, noting the focus on the Rapids community built around the New Day Kit and this year's season kickoff celebration. Having used to work in fashion herself, she rated the design and look of the New Day Kit "an 11 out of 10".
Players milled about at various stations in the Asterisk Denver space, including a wall installation titled "My Heart Is Full When...", encouraging fans to write down what makes them feel fulfilled, a photo station taken with a kaleidoscope lens to mimic Milbery's signature geometric designs, and a wall where fans could leave and take sticky notes with encouraging messages on them.
Milbery's designs, words and inspiration could be found throughout the party and its activities. The artist customized a pair of cleats to represent every player on the Rapids roster, with all thirty displayed as a backdrop to the Rapids' runway. Each pair of cleats and each jersey worn in the show are currently being auctioned off, and all proceeds benefit Mental Health Colorado and Denver Park Trust.
"I think it was great. I mean, I really appreciate that," said Wade Hanson. "The time and effort and cost that went into it, and Pat's logo's connection with that. And of course the fact that he was involved in it was a very intentional thing."
Wickham has been a fan for five years and became a season ticket member for the 2023 season. He's been to the season kickoff party in 2020, but admitted that this year felt a bit more special.
"I think this one feels a bit more meaningful, given kind of the time off from fans attending events like this, attending soccer games," he said. "[This] feels like the beginning of the next phase."
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