While it might not feel like spring yet in Denver, one Colorado summer staple is ready to go.

With patchy snow on the ground, Elitch Gardens opened for its 136th season on Saturday. Park patrons, including season pass holders and families with young, excited kids, were lined up for about an hour and a half prior to the doors’ opening, despite some chilly weather in the low-to-mid 40s. By the park’s opening at 10:30 a.m., there were a few dozen people in line.

Darien Brown, 28, was the first in line, and said he is usually the first person there on opening weekend. A season pass holder, Brown said he was also at the park the previous weekend, when it was only open to season pass holders.

With an Elitch’s souvenir cup in hand, Brown said he’s been coming to the park just about every year since he was a teenager. He said the Half Pipe is his favorite ride.

“I’m just a fun lover,” Brown said. “And this is one of my favorite places to go during the summer.” 

Tobey Green and his girlfriend Danielle Duenow, both 21, drove in from Laramie to attend the opening. Third in line, they said they wanted to be early, as they expected the park to be busy on its first day.

Green said this is his second year coming to the park, while Duenow has been coming since she was a kid. 

“It’s a fun time,” Green said. “We like it. We like the environment. We like the rides.” Both said their favorite ride is the Boomerang.

Once the park opened, patrons rushed in to scan their tickets. There were few lines for rides in the morning as screams of joy from half-full roller coaster cars filled the air.

Katelyn Beets, marketing manager with the park, said Elitch’s is planning several festival-style events at the park this summer, including “Taste of Elitch,” set for May 16 through May 17. 

Beets said the event will be a family friendly food and drink festival with seven different cuisine zones, including Asian barbecue, Cajun and Mediterranean. The event will be free to get into with park admission, but tasting cards that allow patrons to sample the different food offerings will cost $35.

Two other festivals are planned for June and September, the details of which are being kept under wraps until an official announcement, Beets said.

Additionally, Beets said the park is planning a drone show to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and the 150th birthday of the state of Colorado.

The waterpark portion of Elitch’s is set to open Memorial Day weekend, once temperatures rise.