Farmers’ Harvest Festival at Cottonwood Meadows Sunday, September 21st, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm or so

We’re excited to announce our first annual Farmers’ Harvest Festival at Cottonwood Meadows, Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21st from 12:00 to 5:00. This event is free and open to all ages. The afternoon will start with farm tours and outdoor games at 12:00.

At approximately 1:00, we invite folks to sit down together to celebrate the abundance we’ve enjoyed on this land the last two seasons. The different farm businesses will be providing as much food as we can, and we ask everyone attending the potluck to bring your favorite dish to serve about 6-8 people. We’ve found in general with potlucks that, instead of planning the dishes too much, if everyone just makes and brings something that they themselves really enjoy preparing and eating, there is always plenty of delicious variety to go around. It’s a nice gesture to be able to describe to people with food sensitivities what’s in your dish (most commonly wheat, gluten, dairy, soy and nut allergies, as well as preferences like using/not using animal products). So whether it is an hors’ d’ oeuvre, a side dish, a main dish, a dessert, or just a bag of good chips, please join us for this community building lunch. Bringing plates, silverware and serving utensils would be appreciated as well, but we will of course have some here.

Then, around three, we will enjoy some live music from The Crane Flies, Matthew Coen and Andrea Earley-Coen’s latest musical project. Since moving here just over a year ago, Andrea has quickly established her reputation as a highly skilled player and teacher of traditional fiddle tunes, following up on her musical success traveling the world with the traditional dance group, The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers and the band, Pig’s Eye Landing. Matthew led, wrote for, and recorded with the Sierra Nevada based group Big Meadow Sky prior to his move here. He sings, writes original music and lyrics, and plays guitar and didgeridoo. Like their show at the Collegiate Peaks Fest this summer (that was summer?), these two will be playing their blend of Americana and acoustic rock with a bassist and drummer. We expect the band to play until 5: 00 or so, and then who knows what other fun might evolve.

The farm is located at 15284 County Rd 350 in Buena Vista. If you can find the stoplight at Main street and 24, you’re almost there. Go north on 24 to Crossman, which is the street that runs between the Super 8 Motel and the Buffalo Bar and Grill (it is also CR 350). Take a left, and go just about a half mile, over Cottonwood Creek the first time, past Big Meadow (a big meadow) on your left. At the end of Big Meadow, take a left into the parking area immediately before crossing the creek a second time. After parking, cross the creek on the road, and you will find the farm on your left.

SCHEDULE for SUNDAY AFTERNOON SEPT. 21ST:

12:00 farm tours and outdoor games

1:00 Potluck

3:00 Live music with The Crane Flies

5:00 Official ending and unofficial beginning

Again, the event is free. BYOB. For questions, call Eric at (719)207-0069, or email weatherconcert (at) gardener.com, or stop by and see us Saturday mornings at the Salida Farmers’ Market in Alpine Park.