Meadow Lark Farm Dinner Tickets on Sale

 

Secure tickets for an August dinner beginning July 6

Colorado’s Front Range is dotted with fields of rolling farm land, pumping out fresh produce and other goods that eventually end up for sale at farm stands, weekly farmers’ markets, and in the kitchens of Colorado restaurants committed to supporting local farmers.

With so many accessible farms in the area, it’s no surprise that the popularity of farm dinners is on the rise. And thanks to businesses like Meadow Lark Farm Dinners, they’re highly in demand this summer. Created in 2008, the mobile eatery hosts community-style dinners in the fields at a handful of local farms like the Lyons Farmette, and east Boulder’s Cure Organic Farm and Munson Farm.

Using fresh ingredients sourced from the host farm for the evening, Meadow Lark creates and serves five-course meals under the brilliant colors of a Colorado evening sky. Along with a menu inspired by the day’s harvest, guests also get the chance to share a meal and a personal farm tour with the farmers who grew the bounty served on their plates. If you’re looking for a true farm-to-table experience, this is definitely it.

Meadow Lark Farm Dinners are held every Thursday and Saturday evening from June through September. Reservations are made in a lottery fashion, with each month’s lottery lasting 24 hours, after which time 42 lucky diners per dinner will be awarded a dinner invitation. The ticket price per person is $125 and wine pairing suggestions and arrangements are available for an additional fee.

The lottery for Meadow Lark Farm Dinner’s August season opens up Monday, July 6. More info on making reservations and Meadow Lark Farm Dinner’s can be found at farmdinners.com.

By Tyra Sutak | Contributing Writer

Tourist in Your Own Town: Taste of Pearl Returns to Downtown Boulder for 6th Year

 

By Tyra Sutak

Walk a bit. Sip some wine. Sample tasty culinary creations from local restaurants. Rub elbows with award-winning chefs.

It’s all part of the Taste of Pearl, back in its 6th year on April 19th, and it’s a fabulous way to kick off spring, support local, and spend an afternoon getting lost in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Boulder’s historic Pearl Street. Whether you’re a local, or visiting from out of town, this event is a great way to take a whimsical tour of the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder’s impressive dining scene, the area’s emerging wine scene, and the unique and quaint shops that line the streets of Boulder’s bustling downtown hub.

The event is put on by the folks at Downtown Boulder, Inc.— the non-profit organization responsible for promoting and preserving downtown Boulder as a center of commerce and community in the city. The Taste of Pearl features pairings from 15 different restaurants and 15 different Boulder County wineries, all taking place within 15 different retail shops along the Pearl Street Mall. It’s the best of all worlds.

“It’s a great tasting event that also puts the downtown retail scene in the spotlight,” says DBI’s Marketing & Communications Director, Terri Takata-Smith. While ticket holders get to experience the food and wine scene in Boulder at a micro level, they also get a fun introduction to retail shops of the clothing, shoes, art, and artisanal food supply variety as well. Participating retailers include: Patagonia, Starr’s Clothing— a Boulder clothing store icon since 1914, Savory Spice Shop, the Pedestrian Shops shoe store, Art + Soul Gallery, and more. This year’s restaurant participants include two James Beard award semifinalists— Frasca Food & Wine (nominated for Outstanding Restaurant), and OAK at Fourteenth (nominated for Best Chef: Southwest, for chef/owner, Steve Redzikowski) along with Spruce Farm and Fish, newcomers to the Boulder dining scene. Beloved downtown sushi joint, Japango, is also participating in the Taste of Pearl for the first time as one half of a pairing with Wild Cider. Proceeds from the event benefit EFAA, Boulder’s Emergency Family Assistance Association. Over the past five years, the event has managed to raise $35,000 for EFAA, a local organization that provides food, shelter, and other basic items for those in need.

Food. Wine. Shopping. Supporting local and non-profit orgs in your community. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the colorful tulip gardens that rise up from the bricks along the mall are starting to bloom. In addition to the food and wine pairings that you’ll find at each retail stop along the way, Taste of Pearl-goers can also enjoy future discounts from participating vendors included on the tasting tour.

“It’s all about loving local,” said Anna Salim, Downtown Boulder, Inc. Event Director. “It’s definitely a unique experience, and downtown Boulder has a really hot culinary scene right now.”

For a full list of Taste of Pearl participants, and to purchase tickets, visit Taste of Boulder online.

BOULDER CREEK FESTIVAL HOPES TO HEAT UP YOUR SUMMER CALENDAR →

 

By Tyra Sutak For the Camera

Posted:   05/16/2013 03:57:09 PM MDT

Updated:   05/16/2013 04:26:50 PM MDT

There’s so much to do at the Boulder Creek Festival that Kira Cassulo is virtually able to walk on water at the 2012 event. (Daily Camera File Photo)

If you goWhat: Boulder Creek Festival

When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26 (exhibitor booths close at 7 p.m.); 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Downtown Boulder along the Boulder Creek corridor, extending from Ninth Street to 14th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue

Admission: Free

What: Boulder Creek Hometown Festival

When: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2

Where: Downtown Boulder along the Boulder Creek corridor (extending from 13th Street to 10th Street), Boulder Municipal Building lawn and Central Park lawn.

Admission: Free

Info: bceproductions.com

Despite the heavy snow that blanketed Boulder County in late April and early May, leaving most of us wondering if we would ever see warm weather and dry trails, summertime finally has arrived.

Well, maybe not by strict calendar standards but certainly in terms of the festival season.

Just ask the folks at Boulder Creek Events, who once again are gearing up to welcome summer back by staging one of Boulder’s more popular events.

In a tradition that spans 26 years, the Boulder Creek Festival marks the unofficial start to the summer in Boulder and a very busy local festival season.

Staged annually over Memorial Day Weekend, the three-day Boulder Creek Festival, originally conceived as “I Love Boulder Week,” encourages locals and tourists alike to emerge from winter hibernation and gather together to celebrate the unique and energetic Boulder spirit.

“It’s the quintessential Boulder event,” said Meg Denbow, director of communications for Boulder Creek Events.

Don’t let the “creek” in Boulder Creek Festival fool you. Even landlubbers can find something to do, as these 2012 festival-goers learned during a carnival ride. (Daily Camera File Photo)

“It’s as Boulder as it gets, and there’s something for everybody.”One would hope so, considering the festival offers such events as the signature Rubber Duck Race down Boulder Creek, a juried art show, 500 vendors, four performance stages with live music, a beer garden serving up cold beer from Avery Brewing Co., a wide variety of food vendors and a fishing derby and carnival rides for children.

And this year, one of Colorado’s favorite performers is returning to help close the festival.

Hazel Miller and her band will belt out jazz and blues tunes at the bandshell at 5 p.m. Monday, May 27, as the last musical act of the festival — and Miller can’t wait.

“The festival has such an amazing mix of demographic. It’s

Lynn Edelman enjoys some of the art that was on exhibit at the 2012 Boulder Creek Festival. (Daily Camera File Photo)

like everybody is represented,” the Denver-based singer said. “And the people are always, always ready to dance — and for a band, that is the greatest compliment in the world.”If the Boulder Creek Festival signifies the beginning of warmer months, Boulder Creek Events’ other anticipated event, the Boulder Creek Hometown Festival, is a sign of summer’s end. The Hometown Festival takes place Labor Day Weekend and consists of several little events within the overall event, including the Great Zucchini Race, Classic Car Show, Big Wheel 500 races and a crowd favorite, Chili Inferno Cook-Off.

Both festivals continue to grow and expand with each passing year, drawing thousands of people to the downtown area along the banks of Boulder Creek — a feat Denbow attributes to the BCE staff.

“I think that we know the community really well, and we respond to what the community wants,” Denbow said. “And we really, really love what we do. We have so much fun doing it that it’s sort of obvious when you go to the events that we’re having a blast ourselves.”

Jessica Lucas, center, a member of Longmont’s Dance Dimensions, helps entertain folks at the 2012 Boulder Creek Festival. (Daily Camera File Photo)

The Bolder Life: Super Saturday →

 

Tyra Sutak

Published on: February 2nd, 2012

This week has been busy. So busy, I didn’t even see February wiggle its way on to my daily calendar. For those of you that don’t know—February is actually a pretty awesome month. When I think of the month of February, I think of an old saying that my Grandma used to tell me:

“Good things come in small packages.” (I’m only 5’1’’. Enough said).

February is a pretty small package compared to the rest of the months, but it’s jam-packed with awesomeness. Did you know that February is Stout Month? Who doesn’t love a good stout. And the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery couldn’t be more excited about Stout Month. Check out this awesome list of locally produced stouts they put together for you. Rate your favorite stout beers and keep track of the ones you’ve triedhere.

February also plays host to fun holidays like Groundhog Day (February 2nd), and Fat Tuesday (February 21st), and for those of you with a significant other—Valentine’s Day. (If I have to list the date of this classic Hallmark holiday, you probably shouldn’t be celebrating it). February is also Chocolate Lovers Month, and my personal favorite, National Bird Feeding Month. Who doesn’t like feeding birds, right?

So show February some appreciation by seriously indulging in the first weekend of this often overlooked month! Check out this line-up of events for Saturday. There’s a little something for everyone.

So everyone—enjoy!

CU Men’s Basketball vs. Oregon | Coors Event Center | Boulder | 7:00 p.m.
Go Buffs! Show my (yes, I said my) Buffs some support against the Oregon Ducks this Saturday at home. Enjoy game day drinks specials at Zolo Grill or grab a beer at Blues and Greens in the Outlook Hotel before you make you make your way over to the game. Remember, cheer loudly for the half-time Tuba Twirlers—they totally deserve it.

Super Firkin Saturday | Lucky Pie Pizza & Tap House | Louisville | 2 p.m.- 5 p.m.
February is the month of love, and there really isn’t anything that I love more than I beer-centric event hosted by my friends at Lucky Pie. What exactly is a firkin? In my opinion, it’s a great way to experiment with craft beer, but check out this Beer Advocate article for the technicalities behind it. This Saturday, Lucky Pie is featuring specialty firkins from Avery Brewing, Left Hand Brewing, Bristol Brewing and Black Fox Brewing—along with Lucky Pie munchies and the opportunity to rub elbows with representatives from each of these four, fantastic Colorado breweries. $20 gets you:  In, a glass of each firkin beer, the munchies and the rub elbows bit.

Interstate Stash Express and the Grant Farm | The Dicken’s Opera House | Longmont | 8:00 p.m.
I might be a little biased. I’ve been listening to Terry Kishiyama and the Interstate Stash Express band for years. They’re local. They’re fantastic. They’re going to make your foot twitch. Seriously. And I’ve heard fantastic things about The Grant Farm from fellow bluegrass enthusiasts. This show is a real one-two punch of all things revered in the local music scene.

Second Annual Bob Marley Birthday Party Benefit | The Shine Restaurant and Gathering Place | Boulder | 8:00 p.m.
Did you know that Bob Marley was an Aquarius? He totally was, and the new-kid-on-the-block, Shine, is celebrating Bob in style this Saturday at 8 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Colorado Jamaica Project and will feature the musical stylings of DJ Uplifter along with MC Black Rhino. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 8 p.m. Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing at this event is going to be alright.

Playback Theater West: A Night of Improvisational Theater | The Dairy Center for the Arts | Boulder | 8 p.m.
If you are one of those exceptionally shy people—that’s okay—but I wouldn’t recommend going to this show. For this improve show, audience participation is a must, and performer’s will perform skits based on stories from the audience to “entertain, enrich and enlighten” audience members. This show is PG-13, which the rating everyone wants from an improv comedy show.