Twestival Denver 2011: twestivus for the rest of us!

The Denver Twestival promises to be less dramatic than this photo.

​Tweethearts unite! Twitter users and non-Twitter users can network together without a technology barrier at the third annual Denver Twestival on Thursday at Green Spaces in downtown Denver. The Twestival (@twestivaldenver) is one of many Twitter festivals around the world that is more than a networking event -- it's a fundraiser. It's also a reason to go out, grab a drink and bid on some cool prizes.

Oh, and tweet about it in the process.

One hundred percent of proceeds from this tweet-up of social media users will benefit Earth Force (@earthforce), a local non-profit that enables youth to fight environmental issues in their own communities, and Youth Engagement Zone in Northeast Denver, allowing students to build the green learning labs at three local schools. Students can then use the labs to teach and comprehend math and science through their own creation of urban gardens.

More notably, however, everything about this event has been donated, from the food to the drinks to the time and effort organizers have put in, including promotion by the Denver Tweetup (@denvertweetup) -- a separate group of organizers that sponsors similar tweet-intensive gatherings.

"One person was connected to another person and another," says Jane McGillem (@janermcg), who is volunteering as Twestival spokeswoman. "All of the other people involved use Twitter as a tool for their business or profession. It was a good fit to ask these people to join and help promote and connect us to the different sponsors."

For $5, you get a raffle ticket and one beer. For $10, you get two tickets and two beers. Beer will also be available in exchange for donations until it runs out. All beer was donated by the Breckenridge Brewery (@breckbrew). Other delectable perks include a tasting bar provided by Leopold Brothers (@leopoldbros) and mini hot dogs, falafel croquettes and chorizo sliders from Chicago Louie's Paddy Wagon (@chicagolouies) and its chef Michel E. Wahaltere.

If the food and libations weren't enough reason to go, the live music will be. Denver band Places (@placesband) will be performing during the Twestival.

And if you find yourself needing even more to tweet about, try these raffle and silent auction prizes: a Tim Tebow-signed football, a Kenyon Martin-signed basketball, Rockies tickets, a $75 Whole Foods gift card, a Chicago Louie's private event reservation, a luncheon cooking class with chef Michel Wahaltere of Chicago Louie's, a custom WordPress design or a spice set from Savory Spice Shop.

All of the raffle items were donated through different social media connections to the Twestival organizer, Cindy Cragg (@cindycragg), McGillem says.

The Twestival won't be limited to just Tweethards or social media tycoons, though. Instead, McGillem says the event is a good opportunity for "people to come together with other like-minded individuals and connect with them in their own way."

In other words, buy a ticket for a good cause, drink a beer or two and enjoy other people's company. And don't forget to tweet about how much fun you're having too.

The Denver Twestival is Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Green Spaces (@greenspaceshome), 1368 26th Street.

You can buy tickets in advance at http://www.amiando.com/Twestival_Denver.html?page=505633.