Opening on Tap at Denver Airport?

In Denver, the fifth time may be the charm.

After 16 months and four false starts, Mayor Wellington Webb has announced that Denver International Airport will open Feb. 28. The $4.2-billion airport has been plagued with problems, chiefly in the high-tech baggage-handling system. On opening day, the new system is expected to be up and running at United Airlines, the airport’s largest tenant.

Per-passenger costs for airlines using the new airport are expected to range from $12 to $18, a spokesman said, compared to $5.85 at the old Stapleton Airport. United has announced that it will raise its Denver fares by $40 to offset the higher costs, and other airlines quickly followed suit.

Caribbean Weddings Without the Wait

Want a Caribbean wedding--right now? The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the Cayman Islands have eliminated the three-day residency requirement previously needed to apply for a marriage license. In Antigua and Barbuda, a couple need only fill out the necessary papers and pay a $150 license fee and $100 to the Marriage Officer in order to say, “I Do” in a civil ceremony. Several hotels offer wedding packages. For more information, contact the Department of Tourism, (212) 541-4117. In the Cayman Islands, the couple must provide documents, such as passports or birth certificates, and the license is $200. A brochure, “Getting Married in the Cayman Islands,” is available from the Department of Tourism, (213) 738-1968.

Yellowstone Institute Turns 20

The Yellowstone Institute, an educational field program offering more than 80 short courses, is marking the return of the gray wolf to Yellowstone National Park with special classes. “The Evolution and Future of the Wolf Family” is scheduled June 24-26, and “The Wolf’s Return--Mythology to Recovery” July 24-26. Availability is limited.

Institute classes on everything from butterflies to bats and fly fishing to photography, run one to five days and tuition fees average $45-$50 per day. About half of the courses take place in the unpopulated Lamar Valley in the northeast area of the park. This is the institute’s 20th year. For a catalogue, contact the Yellowstone Institute, Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. 82190; tel. (307) 344-2294.

Flower Festival Blooms in Seattle

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show--the third largest in North America, according to organizers--is scheduled for Feb. 22-26 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. The show will feature 30 gardens and displays and 300 commercial exhibits and is expected to draw about 90,000 people. Hours are 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Feb. 22-25 and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets are $9 at the door, $8 in advance and $6 after 5 p.m. For tickets and information, call (206) 224-1700.

United Fliers Get a Break

United Airlines frequent fliers have five more days--until midnight Friday--to redeem Mileage Plus points before they depreciate. United extended its original Feb. 1 deadline to Feb. 10 because it was overwhelmed by calls to its reservations offices and long lines at ticket counters of people trying to meet the deadline. Other major airlines stuck with the Feb. 1 deadline. The airlines made several changes in their programs, but the most significant is the jump from 20,000 to 25,000 miles for a free domestic ticket.