Thousands of Denver city employees filled Civic Center Park on Wednesday to share a meal and hear outgoing interim Mayor Bill Vidal and his successor, Mayor-elect Michael Hancock, thank them for their hard work. The annual City Spirit Picnic afforded a carnival-like atmosphere — complete with popcorn, cotton candy, sno-cones, and raffle prizes — just days before Hancock will be sworn in to govern Colorado’s largest city. Vidal greeted hungry workers as they entered a line to grab nearly 4,000 sack lunches provided by Maggiano’s Little Italy.

“I spent a little time handing out lunches up in front,” Vidal told the crowd, “and I just thought, as I was handing [them] to each one of you, what an honor it is to have, for a moment, served you — because you have served me so well, and served our city in such an excellent fashion.”

With just over six months at the helm, Vidal has been widely praised for his performance during the short term between Denver’s last mayor, John Hickenlooper, who was inaugurated as governor in January, and Hancock, a member of City Council who was elected June 7 in a runoff and takes office Monday as Denver’s 45th mayor.

“I think Mayor Vidal did a great job, especially in the short time that he was in office,” said Ryan Nisogi, who works in the Career Service Authority. “It’s going to be bittersweet to see him go, just seeing all the changes that he’s already made, and just to see how much he cares about the city of Denver. We’re definitely going to miss him a lot.”

Joined onstage by Hancock — and Auditor Dennis Gallagher, outgoing Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O’Malley and current and future City Council members Judy Montero, Doug Linkhart, Marybeth Susman, and Carol Boigon — Vidal heaped praise on the crowd for their service to the city.

“I just can’t say enough how proud I am to have worked side-by-side with so many of you for a greater good, for the greater good of our community, and I’ve never been more motivated and learned more from such dedicated public servants as all of you.” Vidal closed by listing some of his accomplishments, including resolving disciplinary proceedings against police officers and sheriff’s deputies, closing most of an anticipated $100 million budget shortfall, and, in his words, bringing “much-needed attention to our most vulnerable residents.”

Then Vidal listened as Hancock joined the chorus of praise for the outgoing mayor.

“With courage and conviction, and humility and grace, he led our city,” Hancock said. “He became our mayor and I will say this, unequivocally — and I know this first-hand having met with him, and worked with him closely over the last eight years, even before he became mayor — there is no greater champion for city employees than Bill Vidal.”

Vidal, who was manager of Public Works and deputy mayor before taking the top spot, plans to retire from the city once his term finishes on Monday.

“I think it’s a good decision on my part,” he told The Colorado Statesman. “I will have a lot of great and fond memories, and I really cherish that, but it’s time for me to move on.” Vidal says he plans to take a break and spend time with his family before he decides his next move. When asked to name the biggest challenge facing Denver’s next mayor, Vidal said economic development must be balanced with preserving city services.

“With the economy as difficult as it is, the elderly, the homeless, the jobless, children — they’re needing services more than ever,” he said. “I think that while we’re thinking of development and economic incentives and all of those things, let’s not forget our most vulnerable, who are under a considerable amount of stress right now.”