By Ben Landreth
Published by Westword – July 1, 2016
Yes, Monday is July 4 — but this weekend isn’t all about stars, stripes and screaming eagles. Earlier this week we shared our list of ten places to celebrate both food and freedom over the next few days, but the weekend doesn’t have to be all about stars, stripes and screaming eagles. Keep reading for 17 more tasty events.
Friday, July 1
As part of the weeklong C Squared Ciders first-anniversary celebration, the cidery will hold a First Friday Art Show and market, starting at 5 p.m. today. You can find more information at csquaredciders.com.
The 26th annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival is expected to draw more than 350,000 visitors over the holiday weekend. Head down to Cherry Creek North for interactive art stations, live music, pop-up performances, food trucks, a culinary avenue, beer garden and plenty of art. The festivities get under way with an Opening Night Artist Preview Event from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight. The main event will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 4. The festival is free to attend; get all the details at cherrycreekartsfestival.org.
Pizzeria Locale Boulder will introduce its new Aperitivo Menu, available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, starting today. The menu includes drink and small-plate food specials. Call the pizzeria at 720-708-2244 for more information.
Comrade Brewing Company is releasing Honeyman XI IPA today at noon. The beer is the eleventh in the brewery’s series of Honeyman research and development IPAs. Head over to comradebrewing.com for more information.
Odell Brewing is taking on New Belgium Brewing during the ViewHouse’s Summer Beer Fest. You can taste free samples of each brewery’s beers, then cast your vote for the winner. The beer with the most votes can be found, on tap, at the ViewHouse all month long. Stop by between 5 and 8 p.m. for live music, too. Click here to learn more.
Saturday, July 2
Spend your Fourth of July weekend at Boulder Art & Jazzfest, next to Boulder Creek at the Boulder Bandshell, where you’ll find over 100 artisans vendors, nine bands, gourmet street food, a kids’ play area, a beer garden and more. The festival runs today through July 4 and is just a skip away from Folsom Field, where Boulder will hold its fireworks display Monday night. Find more details at boulderjazzfest.com.
Meet in the Street, which takes place all along the 16th Street Mall this weekend, offers you a chance to “re-imagine the Mall by experiencing it in new and exciting ways.” Look for ten expanded patio cafes, fitness classes, arts and cultural programming, live music and more. Find additional details at downtowndenver.com.
The C Squared Ciders anniversary-week celebration culminates with today’s first anniversary party, from 2 to 8 p.m., with live music by the Atomic Drifters and The Hot Apostles, food by Rackhouse, a car and motorcycle show, games, prizes, small-batch cider releases and more. Admission is free; get all the details here.
You can try Fort Collins Brewery’s Peaches & Barley before it hits shelves next week; the beer will be available on draft at the brewery’s Modern Tavern today. This will be the last seasonal in a bottle before the brewery makes its transition to cans. For more information, contact the brewery at 970-472-1499.
Chef Jorel Pierce hosts a Stoic & Genuine School of Fish cooking class on the first Saturday of every month. Today from 10 a.m. to noon, you’ll learn everything you need to know about mackerel, sardines and anchovies. Tuition for today’s class is $60; RSVP to info@stoicandgenuine.com.
The Colorado Brewery Running Series continues with a 5k run/jog/walk, which starts (at 11 a.m.) and ends at Declaration Brewing. After the run, stick around for live music, food trucks, local vendors and beer, of course. Register — $30 per person—and learn more at breweryrunningseries.com.
Denver’s own Kingman Winery, located at 800 East 64th Avenue, is celebrating its fifth anniversary by offering 15 percent off all bottles for sale at the tasting room between today and July 10. Select from sixteen different wines made from grapes grown in the Grand Valley on Colorado’s Western Slope. Tasting-room hours are from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Check the Kingman Winery website for more details.
Sunday, July 3
The Tavern Downtown is throwing an Independence Day bash starting at 7 p.m. today. The patriotic party will be bumping with music from an A-list DJ lineup headlined by DJ BeatBreaker from New York City, and the bar will offer drink specials all night long. Contact the Tavern at 303-299-0100 for more information.
In honor of Dead & Company’s performances at Folsom Field this weekend, Boulder’s St Julien Hotel & Spa will serve a Dead-inspired version of its weekly brunch today. For $42.95 per person — $21.95 for kids ages four to twelve — you can enjoy a selection of themed dishes and, if you’re an adult, Bloody Jerrys with Grey Goose and aoxomimosas. For reservations and more information, call 720-406-7399.
Too busy to barbecue this weekend? Head down to the Slow Food Farmers’ Market at the Source today, and let Western Daughters do the ’cue for you. As part of the weekly market, Western Daughters will hold a BBQ brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which will include meat- and vegetarian-chili bread bowls topped with soft-boiled eggs, plus barbecue lunch plates and more. Additionally, Western Daughters will offer special deals on a few cuts of meat for grilling at home. Check out thesourcedenver.com for all the details.
Enjoy a five-course wine dinner aboard the scenic Royal Gorge Route Railroad starting at 6:30 p.m. today. Tickets for the dinner are $199 for seats in the scenic dome, or $179 for the classic dining car. Find tickets and more information here.
Monday, July 4
Interstate Kitchen & Bar is holding an all-you-can-eat Independence Day brunch to get you fueled for a full day of all things American. The brunch, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, is $18, or $28 with an all-you-can-drink option. Call Interstate at 720-479-8829 to make your reservations.
