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Wild West Fermentation Fest returns to Glenwood Springs

Carla Jean Whitley
cj@postindependent.com

Every first-time event sees room for a few changes, and Wild West Fermentation Fest is no exception. The festival, which celebrates all forms of fermented food and drink, returns for its second year this weekend, and organizers are eager to create an even-more exciting event.

“We want to work on that social aspect of community,” said Roaring Fork Events co-owner Emily Arredondo.

Emily and her husband, Damon, moved to Glenwood Springs because it’s the sort of community where they want to raise their young daughter. Their company runs a number of area events, including the Tuesday market in Sayre Park; Earth Day; and a number of downtown celebrations.



As with each of Roaring Fork’s 2017 events, bike parking will be available, and partner Evergreen Events is helping move the festival toward zero waste.

Attendees can also earn free tokens by visiting downtown businesses. A passport program includes 20 participating entities. For every five check ins, attendees will receive one additional token.



“We’re working with downtown businesses to promote downtown,” Emily said.

This year’s festival will be intentionally more family friendly, with children welcome till 8 p.m. and more nonalcoholic options. Tickets come with six tokens, redeemable for a drink, to emphasize tasting, not imbibing. A bagpiper will roam the streets of downtown to drum up interest an hour before the event kicks off.

Food, including kimchi and sweet breads, and nonalcoholic beverages like kombucha will also show off the art of fermenting.

“We’re trying to celebrate all fermentation,” Damon said. “We’re trying to take it literally.”

He offered seven recommendations for not-to-be-missed beverages. Pick up your tokens and plan ahead.

1. Red Fox Cellars: Damon is excited about the Palisade company’s bourbon-barrel aged wine. “They get really interesting flavors out of it,” he said.

2. Capital Creek Brewery: The Roaring Fork Valley’s newest brewpub will show off its suds during this, one of its first festivals.

3. Steamworks Brewing Co.: The Durango-based brewery boasts 16 Great American Beer Fest medals.

4. Palisade Brewing: The Mesa County brewery is about to undergo a major expansion.

5. Stoneyard Distillery: All of the Dotsero company’s spirits rely on Colorado ingredients, especially Colorado beet sugar.

6. Talbott’s Mountain Gold Cider: This dry cider is made of fruit grown in the company’s own Palisade orchard.

7. Elevated Elixirs: Aspen’s kombucha company will show off several flavors. Damon is especially excited about the turmeric.


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