Food and Drink Festivals and Events, Boulder County, Colorado, and Surrounding Area Summer 2014
For tours of local wineries, breweries and distilleries, see listings under Tours.
A Taste of Art June 12-15: Boulder’s first-ever art and food festival includes a national food-photography exhibit, appearances by local chefs, cooking classes for all ages, an Iron Chef competition, and special dance/music performances to celebrate Boulder’s unique food culture. At Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. www.thedairy.org. A Taste of Colorado Aug. 29-Sept. 1: The annual “Festival of Mountain and Plain” is an end-of-summer celebration of food, drink, music and visual arts. At Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. www.atasteofcolorado.com. Ales 4 Females June 9 & 23, July 14 & 28, Aug. 11 & 25: Twice-monthly meetings from 6:30-8pm bring together beer-loving women to discuss all things beer and learn how to pair beer with food. This event has been so popular that it’s wise to buy tickets in advance at www.lefthandbrewing.com. The Left Hand Tasting Room is at 1265 Boston Ave. in Longmont. Avery Brewing Company SourFest June 7: All the beers at this popular festival, now in its fifth year, are homegrown in America and feature sour and/or wild recipes. There’s also live music and other events. Noon-5pm at Avery Brewing Company, 5757 Arapahoe Ave. www.averybrewing.com. Aug. 3: Avery’s 21st Anniversary Party Barley’s Angels 4th Wednesdays: The Colorado chapter of Barley’s Angels hosts monthly meetings at 7pm for women to learn about beer brewing and enjoy beer responsibly in a social setting. Meetings are held at a different brewery each month; check the schedule at www.barleysangelscolorado.com. The Blind Cafe June, TBA: The Blind Café is a “sensory tasting experience” as participants eat their gourmet dinner in complete darkness. Proceeds go to local nonprofits to help raise awareness of the local blind community. June details weren’t set at press time, so check www.theblindcafe.com/boulder. Burning Can Beer Fest May 31: Especially for those who enjoy beer from a can, this yearly festival, sponsored by Oskar Blues, is held in conjunction with the Lyons Outdoor Games. www.oskarblues.com. Chili Inferno Cook-Off Sept. 1: One of the most popular events at the Boulder Creek Hometown Festival, this yearly contest offers samples of the best and most unusual chilis in Colorado. Noon-4pm on 13th Street between Canyon and Arapahoe. www.bouldercreekevents.com. Colorado Urban WineFest June 7: The centerpiece of the 4th annual Colorado Wine Week (May 31-June 7), this event offers Colorado wine and food from top Denver-area restaurants, plus live cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and nearly three dozen winemakers on hand. At Infinity Park, 4599 E. Tennessee Ave. in Denver. www.winecolorado.org. Eagle Wild Mushroom & Wine Weekend Aug. 22-24: If you’re headed to the mountains, check out this unique culinary festival in Eagle, featuring dinners created by local chefs, wine and beer tastings, and educational presentations. The town of Eagle has a variety of events on its summer calendar including free concerts and yoga in the park; check www.townofeagle.org. Food: Our Global Kitchen May 31-Sept. 1: Traveling exhibit at History Colorado showcases special tours, lectures and programs that explore local culinary traditions. Global Kitchen Family Days (May 31, June 21, July 3, Aug. 8) offer free kids’ admission, crafts and live performances. Museum admission is also free for everyone on Aug. 1-2 for the annual Colorado Day Celebration. The museum is at 1200 Broadway in Denver.www.historycolorado.org. Lafayette Peach Festival Aug. 16: Annual street festival showcases all things peach, like fresh peaches, pies, smoothies and cobblers, along with live music, artwork and vendor booths, and kids’ activities. 9am-4pm on Public Road in Old Town Lafayette. www.lafayettecolorado.com. Local Table Tours LTT hosts a number of culinary-themed tours around Boulder, including a Downtown Dining Tour, a Beer Tasting Tour, and a Coffee and Pastry Tour. www.localtabletours.com. Lone Hawk Farm Farm-to-table dinners at Lone Hawk Farm feature local and regional guest chefs, including Hosea Rosenberg on July 17 and Aug. 20. Check the dinner schedule at www.lonehawkfarms.com. The farm is at 10790 N. 49th St.; it’s a Longmont address but close to Boulder. Lucky’s Market Classes Lucky’s Market, 3960 Broadway in Boulder and 700 Ken Pratt Blvd. in Longmont, offers occasional one-session classes, like Cheese Appreciation, Beekeeping and events for kids. There are also regular in-store tastings and other special events. Keep abreast of the schedule by “liking” the store’s Facebook page, or download monthly schedules at www.luckysmarket.com. Nederland Area Seniors Pancake Breakfast July 26: Pancake breakfast fundraiser for NAS is held on the Saturday of Nederland’s Miners’ Day celebration, 8-11am. Proceeds benefit Nederland’s senior organization. At Nederland Community Center, 750 W. Highway 52. Niwot Friday Night Dinners Fridays through Sept. 5: Down-home community dinners, open to all, take place from 6-8:30pm outside Niwot Market, 7980 Niwot Road. 303-652-0919; www.niwotmarket.com. Niwot Lobster Bash June 28: Get your tickets early, because this annual event always sells out. It features 1.25-lb. whole Maine lobsters with drawn butter and lemon, and fresh corn on the cob, plus live music and dancing under the stars. 5-9:30pm at 2nd Avenue and Franklin Street in Niwot. www.niwot.com. Prospect Eats Mondays: Prospect Eats is “a mobile feast”—a gathering of gourmet food trucks at Prospect Downtown Park, just south of Longmont on Highway 287, to the tune of free live music; 5:30-8pm. Check the Prospect Eats Facebook page. Rocky Mountain Tea Festival Aug. 2-3: Annual event includes lots of tea to taste, a Children’s Tea Party, and hands-on workshops like The Art of Blending Tea, Cooking With Tea and Tea Leaf Reading. At Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, 1770 13 St. 303-442-4993; www.rockymtnteafestival.com. Taste of Louisville June 7: Taste food from local restaurants as you experience “Louis-Palooza” with a lineup of live bands. There are also craft booths, kids’ entertainment and vendors. At Steinbaugh Pavilion, corner of Walnut and Front streets. www.louisvillechamber.com. Taste of Tomato Sept. 6: 4th annual tomato-tasting festival is sponsored by the CSU Extension and Harlequin’s Gardens. Bring your favorite tomatoes for free entry. 9am-1pm at Gateway Fun Center, 4800 28th St. www.harlequinsgardens.com. Wine Tastings Many wine shops, wineries and liquor stores around the county offer free (unless noted) tastings that let you try before you buy. Here’s a sampling of events, and if you know of others, please email us! BookCliff Vineyards: Fri-Sun, 1-6pm; 1501 Lee Hill Road, Unit 17 ($4, refunded with purchase) Bottles Wine, Beer & Spirits: Fri 4:30-6:30pm; 2540 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder Creek Winery: Thurs-Sun 1-5:30pm; 6440 Odell Place ($3) Boulder Wine and Spirits: Fri 4-7pm and Sat 3-7pm; 3325 28th St., #3 Boulder Wine Merchant: Frequent tastings, plus other wine-related events; 2690 Broadway Centennial Wine & Spirits: Fri 5-7pm; 324 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville Liquor Mart: Thurs 5-7pm; 1750 15th St. Pettyjohn’s Liquor & Wine: Fri 5-7pm; 613 S. Broadway Redstone Meadery: Mon-Fri 12-6:30pm and Sat 12-5pm; 4700 Pearl St., Unit 2A Tenacity Wine Shop: Fri 5-7pm; 700 Tenacity Drive, Suite 102, Longmont Whole Foods Wine Store: Fri 4:30-6:30pm; 2315 30th St.
