Check out these two festive downtown Greeley events that spark the holiday season and give back
Luna’s Tacos & Tequila is the third stop on the Hope at the Holidays progressive dinner, showcasing street tacos and samples of Arette tequila. Photo courtesy of Luna’s Tacos & Tequila.
By Emily Kemme
Last Sunday, Americans in 48 states (the exceptions are Arizona and Hawaii) turned their clocks back and realigned our schedules to Standard Time. If you want to get picky, it’s probably more accurately defined as a reallocation of one hour of sunlight rather than a total calendar overhaul.
There are still only 24 hours in a day, much to our distress — and at times, relief — and the sun will warm our faces whenever the Earth’s axis is tilted just so.
Not to get into the whole discussion of whether (or not) Daylight Saving Time makes anything better, what we can say is that as of November 6, the days get darker. Soon thereafter, we hope that both the political and atmospheric temperatures will begin to cool and the holiday season can begin with some sparkle.
But winter is coming — it did finally snow last Thursday.
The light dusting was enough to haul out the boots and puffy jackets, so pull them on and get out and enjoy what downtown Greeley has to offer in the next few weeks.
Celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau to benefit Weld Food Bank
The fourth Thursday in November may be the better-known gathering as Americans celebrate harvest time at their Thanksgiving feasts, but Beaujolais Nouveau Day on the prior Thursday is equally festive for lovers of this light and fruity French wine.
Zoe’s Event Center, 715 10th St. in Greeley, is hosting a party Thursday, November 17 to benefit Weld Food Bank on the annual release date, commemorating this year’s new vintage.
Beaujolais Nouveau is produced in the Beaujolais appellation (the geographical area where a wine originates) from the red Gamay grape.
What makes this particular French wine notable and worth having its own special day is how it’s made. The wine is bottled only 6-8 weeks after the grapes are harvested and the grapes are pressed only three days after they’re picked. Considered a very young wine, it makes for an easy-drinking glass without a lot of the pungent tannins typical of French reds.
It’s best served chilled, is a quaffable party wine and because it’s so refreshing, is also the perfect partner for that gamey Thanksgiving turkey.
The event, which runs from 6-9 p.m., follows the tradition dating to the 1950s when distributors raced from Beaujolais in eastern France to Paris to deliver the first bottles. In those days, November 15 was earmarked for revelries beginning at 12:01 a.m., but by 1985 the third Thursday became the official release date, possibly because it captures both the weekend and the American Thanksgiving.
Raise a glass of this pinkish-red wine, enjoy appetizers, live music and a silent auction to support Weld Food Bank’s efforts to help over 68,000 neighbors in Weld County who are hungry.
Tickets cost $25 per person or $40 per couple.
Click on the link to purchase tickets.
LifeStories Hope at the Holidays Downtown Greeley Food and Drink Tour
LifeStories Hope at the Holidays event on December 1 wraps up at Stella’s Pinball Arcade and Lounge where you can discover (or rediscover) your favorite arcade game, enjoy dessert and a nightcap. Photo by Emily Kemme.
On Thursday, December 1, Allo Fiber presents a four-course progressive dinner to benefit LifeStories Child & Family Advocacy, a non-profit that helps give a voice to children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect in Weld County.
Tickets for an evening of feasting are $100 per person for the entire four-course tour, which includes the dessert course and After Party at Stella’s Pinball Arcade and Lounge, 802 9th Street. Separate tickets for $25 are available to attend only the Private After Party at Stella’s, which begins at 8 p.m.
The merriment begins at 5 p.m. with Happy Hour at Syntax Distillery, 700 6th Street, where revelers can enjoy a nacho bar paired with a choice of signature craft cocktails in the historic Greeley Elevator Building.
Next, cross the railroad tracks and head into the heart of Greeley’s downtown district where Tightknit Brewing Co., 813 8th Street, is pouring a craft brew paired with a pretzel flight and signature bacon-wrapped dates from 6-7 p.m.
Then, take a hop, skip and a jump one block over to Luna’s Tacos & Tequila, 806 9th Street, for a street taco dinner and Arette tequila sampling.
The holiday dinner keeps glowing below street level at Stella’s, where you’ll take a trip back in time to the days when the toughest decision you had to make was which pinball machine to drop a token into. During the After Party, enjoy dessert, a nightcap and discover (or rediscover) your favorite arcade game. There’s karaoke, too, to satisfy your inner rock star or diva.
To buy tickets, visit LifeStories Hope at the Holidays.
Details about event timing will be emailed to ticket holders the week of the event.