Culture
MOUNTAIN
FOOD & DRINK | LEARNING | RECREATION & OUTDOORS | SPECIAL EVENTS
Elevate Your Expectations By Jeffrey V. Smith ESTES PARK onsumers of fine spirits and anyone interested in Colorado’s booming craft spirits industry are invited to “Elevate Your Expectations,” Oct. 27 from 2-5 p.m., at the new Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival. The main tasting event—which includes live music, food and games— takes place indoors at the Estes Park Event Center, 1125 Rooftop Way, with an optional pre-festival distillery tour at Elkin Distillery and pairing dinner at Latitude 105. Tickets to the main event are $45 for individuals or $80 for a couple. Parking is free and plentiful. The new festival was created by the Town of Estes Park’s Events Division to capitalize on the popularity of regionally-crafted spirits. “Our Whiskey Warmup event in March has been wildly successful, and our team wanted to put together another unique opportunity for guests to sample products from area distillers,” Special Events Coordinator David Hocker said. “While whiskey is really the emphasis in March, the upcoming Spirits Festival is bringing in a wider variety of spirits in order to offer something for everyone’s palate.” Town staff know people in Colorado have “high standards and good taste,” so they are “excited” to bring many of the area’s most talented distillers together to provide an opportunity for guests to see how the craft spirits industry has evolved. “We chose October because the crowds have thinned out, but winter hasn’t arrived yet, making this a perfect time to
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head to Estes Park for a daytrip or an overnight,” Hocker said. The indoor event at the Estes Park Event Center includes a souvenir tasting glass to sample products from about 30 different distillers. “Our distiller friends are always happy to educate guests on what makes their products unique, and this is a great opportunity to find out what you really like in a distilled spirit,” Hocker said. Festival guests can also enjoy live music from You Knew Me When and Hunker Down. Food will be available for sample or purchase, and guests can enjoy cornhole, darts, and other games while sampling products and enjoying the party. Latitude 105 at The Ridgeline Hotel presents a pairing dinner the weekend of the event. Join Executive Chef Jacob Tew, Oct. 26, as he presents an outstanding culinary experience featuring pairings with craft spirits by Breckenridge Distillery and Elkins Distillery. A separate ticket is required. Elkins Whisky is the tasting festival’s presenting sponsor, and are offering a behind the scenes tour of their distillery the day of the festival. Arrive at 1 p.m. and take a peek at the processes used to bring you the first and only spirits made legally in Estes Park. A separate ticket is required for the tour and are only available to main event ticket holders. The Town of Estes Park will be providing a free shuttle the day of the event. This service will make stops at a variety of locations around town, including lodging sponsors. Tickets and additional information are available at epspirits.com.
MOUNTAIN CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS 10/5
10/11
10/27
10/28
LEARN ABOUT BATS IN BOULDER COUNTY
SAVING LYONS SCHOOL HISTORY TALK
LYONS HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR & PARADE
VINTAGE 2018 BENEFIT FOR CROSSROADS
Join volunteer naturalists, Oct. 5, 6:307:15 p.m., to learn about bats of Boulder County, their habits and habitat, importance to humans and how mines provide safe, stable habitats for bats at “Hanging Out With Bats,” at the Nederland Mining Museum, 200 N. Bridge St. bouldercounty.org
The Lyons Redstone Museum, 340 High St., hosts a free History Talk, Oct. 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. LaVern Johnson speaks about the campaign from 1948-1970 to save the Lyons Jr./Sr. High School, and other nearby schools, from being closed during the fun evening of history and learning. lyonsredstonemuseum.com
Lyons Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 27, at Lyons Elementary School, 338 High St., features activities including music, Bongo the Balloon Man, treats, games and activities leading up to the parade through town at 6 p.m. All are welcome to be apart of the parade. townoflyons.com
The Dunraven Inn, 2470 Hwy. 66 in Estes Park, presents Vintage 2018, a Crossroads Ministry benefit, Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m. The evening includes amazing wines, great food, auction items and a chance to win a $6,000 travel certificate. Tickets are $100 at The Dunraven Inn. crossroadsep.org
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MMAC monthly
| OCTOBER 2018
www.mmacmonthly.com