A sold-out stadium, packed streets, and an unexpected wave of excitement across the city made Denver’s weekend with the Savannah Bananas one fans and local businesses won’t forget.
Savannah Bananas Colorado Weekend Surprises Fans and Boosts Local Businesses originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Savannah Bananas brought their one-of-a-kind brand of baseball to Denver this past weekend, and the response left owner Jesse Cole “speechless.” More than 100,000 fans turned out for the team’s first-ever Colorado appearance, making the event a record-setting celebration of Banana Ball.
Cole said. Saturday night alone was historic, with 31 runs scored—the most in team history.
These Rockies icons returned to Coors Field to join the Savannah Bananas in front of 50,000 fans 🙌 pic.twitter.com/leBEQEXP9A
— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) August 11, 2025
The energy in the stadium was amplified by appearances from Rockies legends Vinny Castilla and Ubaldo Jimenez, and a surprise visit from Peyton Manning in the dugout. Sunday brought more excitement as the Firefighters claimed victory in the Showdowns, showcasing the growing appeal of Banana Ball.
Banana Ball's Dancing Umpire on Facebook: "From calling audibles to watching a banana's game. Had to get a pic with the legend himself Peyton Manning! 'Omaha Omaha' this was an audible I didn't have on my bingo card!" https://t.co/azbg4E4YWYpic.twitter.com/9ieUQu7dJD
— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) August 13, 2025
Denver’s Ballpark District Turns Yellow for Banana Ball
You might have said what's the unexpected Turn? The Savannah Bananas didn’t just take over Coors Field — they transformed Denver’s entire ballpark district into a buzzing, yellow-clad festival. Traffic was jammed, restaurants were packed, and yes, some fans even came dressed as literal bananas.
The energy started hours before first pitch, spilling into McGregor Square where fans filled the plaza, snapping photos under the Bananas flag waving high above the streets.
Local businesses felt the impact immediately. Cherry Cricket general manager Chip Wilson said his staff had been preparing for weeks. “You’re talking about $10,000 a day in sales just based on them coming in,” Wilson said, noting the restaurant even rolled out banana-themed menu items like banana shots and banana cream pie.
The crowds — estimated at more than 100,000 over the weekend — created an atmosphere rarely seen in the Mile High City for baseball.
Coors Field Becomes Banana Ball’s Biggest Stage
Coors Field marked the largest MLB venue the Bananas have played in during their 2025 Banana Ball World Tour. The two sold-out nights proved Denver could match the wild, celebratory energy seen earlier this year when 81,000 fans packed Clemson’s Memorial Stadium for a game. The show was part baseball, part performance — with music, fan competitions, and non-stop interaction — a sharp contrast to the Rockies more traditional, and often losing, product.
Banana Ball isn’t for everyone; purists with scorecards and radio broadcasts in their ears might bristle at the chaos. But for families and casual fans, it’s a baseball experience that delivers something more — a reason to dance, laugh, and feel part of the action from the first pitch to the final out. In a city where baseball has recently been more about frustration than fun, the Bananas gave Denver a glimpse of what it looks like when the stands are full, gloves are ready for foul balls, and every moment feels like an event.
Jesse Cole on the Fans and Extending the Moment
For Cole, the numbers and celebrity appearances were secondary to the fans. “No matter the outcome, it always comes down to the fans,” he said. “The way we were greeted and the response here in Colorado was as strong as we’ve seen anywhere around the country.”
During a heartfelt speech, Cole drew parallels between the Bananas current moment and the early days of the Rockies in 1993. He emphasized the importance of going beyond the ordinary to create lasting experiences for fans.
“We do what others won’t do,” he said. “Putting ourselves in our fan’s shoes, thinking about the experience we deliver today…bringing someone down to the field or the dugout…going the extra mile. That’s how we extend this moment for 10, 20, 30, 40 years.”
Cole concluded with a rallying call to his team and to Banana Nation: “We have the power to create something unforgettable. We have the power to do it now. The next two months are going to extend this moment for as long as we want. It’s up to us.”
Colorado got a taste of the Savannah Bananas experience like never before—and the message is clear: this isn’t just baseball. This is Banana Ball, and fans everywhere are in for the ride of their lives.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
