Destination Denver: 2012 Women’s Final Four

It's the first time since 1989 that all four top seeds reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. It's the first time ever that Denver has hosted the event. From Friday until Tuesday the eyes of the nation will be on the city. The Women's Final Four is a celebration of the best of the best in women's college basketball. However, the event is much more than three games, with the majority festivities, including Tourney Town Refreshed By Coca-Cola Zero at the Colorado Convention Center, taking place within walking distance of each other in downtown Denver.

“Denver is going to roll out the red carpet for the 30,000 fans coming to the Women’s Final Four,” said Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER. “In addition to bringing $20 million of economic spending and creating huge national television coverage for the Mile High City, the Women’s Final Four is also bringing many fun and free events to our city. We hope local residents will participate in activities like the Tourney Town and Super Saturday, while also welcoming the fans to Denver and encouraging them to return again on vacation,” Scharf said.

FRIDAY

Mile High Magic Salute Premiere — The welcoming party is at the Buell Theatre on Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. The red carpet arrival of the four teams is open to the public, but tickets ($20 general admission) are required to get into the event.

Tourney Town — Open every day at the Colorado Convention Center, Tourney Town is the center of weekend fun for fans and will host clinics, exhibits, interactive displays and concerts all weekend. It is free and open each day through the championship game. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Practices and autograph sessions — Practices at the Pepsi Center for all four teams are open and free to the public to attend. Free posters will be given to fans, who can get them signed at autograph sessions after practices. 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4Kay Run — The 4Kay Run on Saturday starts at Civic Center Park, benefits breast cancer research and is in remembrance of the late North Carolina State coach Kay Yow. Prerace registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the run begins at 9 a.m. Online registration is $20. Onsite registration is $25.

Youth clinics — The clinics for boys and girls ages 8-16 are at Denver South and ThunderRidge high schools and will focus on basketball skills, conditioning and life skills with women's basketball coaches and student- athletes, as well as collegiate administrators. The clinics are free.

Battle of the Bands — Bands from all four schools will have their own competition after the teams' practice sessions. 3:45 p.m.

High School All-America Game — The Women's Basketball Coaches Association will host the annual game of the best high school girls in the country at the Pepsi Center. 4:30 p.m.

Jewel concert — Going on at Tourney Town, singer and songwriter Jewel will give a free concert. 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

Semifinal games — The four teams finally get on the Pepsi Center court for the national semifinals.

• No. 1 Notre Dame (34-3) vs. No. 1 Connecticut (32-4), 4:30 p.m.

• No. 1 Baylor (38-0) vs. No. 1 Stanford (35-1), 7 p.m.

Mile High Dribble — Thousands of kids are invited to dribble a basketball from Civic Center Park to Tourney Town on Sunday morning. Participants who preregister can check in at 10 a.m. Day-of registration starts at 11, and the dribble begins at 11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY

Championship game — Winners of the semifinal games will meet at the Pepsi Center at 6:30 p.m. for the NCAA championship.

More info ncaa.com/finalfour