šŸŽ‰ Boulder Wants More Food Fests (and We Fully Support That)

Park clean-ups? Cool. Public art? Lovely. But local food festivals took the crown in this week’s poll—here’s what we’d love to see next.

šŸ“ What Boulder Wants: Murals, Markets & More Food Fests

 

Hey Boulder! šŸŒž

We asked, you answered—and Boulder, your priorities are on point. In our latest poll, local food festivals topped the charts with 33% of the vote, followed closely by outdoor fitness classes and park clean-ups (because balance). Community art installations got love too, proving once again that this town runs on creativity and carbs.

And honestly, we get it. There’s nothing like a good local food fest to bring everyone together. From the Mac & Cheese Fest of yore to Taste of Pearl, Boulder has dipped its toes into foodie fun—but what about a Flatiron Chili Throwdown, a Boulder Brunch Crawl, or a Harvest Moon Night Market packed with local bites, sips, and live music? Hungry yet? We are.

Want more local recs? Check out our Things to Do in Boulder, Best Restaurants, and Date-Worthy Spots for even more ideas.

Let’s dig in!

— The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team šŸ˜‰

Boulder Poll ā›°ļø

Which plant is commonly found on the rocky slopes of the Flatirons?

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Hint: This plant is known for its resilience in rocky environments. Answer at the bottom šŸ‘‡šŸ¼šŸ‘‡šŸ¼šŸ‘‡šŸ¼

šŸ„• Poll Says: More Food Fests, Please!

This week’s community poll gave us the scoop on what locals are craving more of—and spoiler alert: it’s not just organic kombucha (though, that’s always a vibe). Here’s what you said:

  • 🧹 Park Clean-Ups — 25%

  • šŸŽØ Community Art Installations — 17%

  • 🌮 Local Food Festivals — 33%

  • 🧘 Outdoor Fitness Classes — 25%

We ran the numbers from our latest reader poll, and guess what topped the list? Local food festivals—with a solid 33% of you hungry for more. (Followed by outdoor fitness classes and park clean-ups. Boulder’s got range.)

So let’s dream a little, shall we?

What if we brought back a Brunch Crawl through downtown Boulder, complete with breakfast burritos and cold brews at every stop? Or a Farm-to-Festival Day that connects you with the folks who actually grow your CSA carrots—plus live folk music and kombucha on tap? How about a Night Noodle Market in the fall, lit by lanterns and loaded with dumplings?

You also showed some love for community art installations—and Boulder’s already ahead of the curve there. Just look at the kaleidoscopic murals on Spruce and 13th, the dreamy bike racks that double as sculptures, and the interactive installations popping up at events like Boulder Arts Week.

Put simply: Boulder thrives when people gather—whether that’s to eat, create, or just dance in the street with a taco in hand.

So what’s next? Maybe you help start it.

🧁 Got an idea for a community event? Hit reply—we’d love to share it in a future issue.

šŸŽ¶ What’s Happenin’ Boulder šŸŽ­

Monday, July 14

🧠 This is a Clue TriviašŸ“ Beyond the Mountain Brewing | ā° 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | šŸ†“ Free (recurring weekly on Monday)

šŸ» Twisted BingošŸ“ Twisted Pine Brewing Company | ā° 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | šŸ†“ Free (recurring weekly on Monday)

šŸƒā€ā™‚ļø Boulder Pub Run ClubšŸ“ Sanitas Brewing Co. | ā° 6:00 PM | šŸ†“ Free (recurring weekly on Monday)

šŸŽµ Boulder Concert Band - Martin ParkšŸ“ Martin Park | ā° 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM | šŸŽŸļø Ticketed

šŸ“… Dave Mason's Traffic Jam with Ivan PulleyšŸ“ Chautauqua Auditorium | ā° 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM | šŸŽŸļø Ticketed

šŸ“… "The McGuckin Way" Exhibit Opening ReceptionšŸ“ Museum of Boulder | ā° 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM | šŸŽŸļø Ticketed

Tuesday, July 15

šŸ”„ Junkyard Monthly Flow JamšŸ“ Junkyard Social Club | ā° 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | šŸ’µ $10 suggested donation (recurring monthly, 4th Tuesday)

šŸ› Junkyard Open PlayšŸ“ Junkyard Social Club | ā° Various Hours | šŸ’µ $10 kids / $5 adults (recurring weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

šŸŽ‰ Smarty PartyšŸ“ Avanti F&B | ā° 7:30 PM | šŸ†“ Free (recurring weekly on Tuesday)

šŸŽ§ Turntable TuesdayšŸ“ VisionQuest Brewery | ā° 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | šŸ†“ Free (recurring weekly on Tuesday)

šŸ“… Social Distortion with special guest Plague VendoršŸ“ Boulder Theater | ā° 8:00 PM to 11:59 PM | šŸŽŸļø Ticketed

Want more? See the full calendar → Boulder Event Calendar

🧠 New! Play the Boulder Trivia Game

Think you know Boulder? šŸŒ²šŸŒ„ Test your smarts with our brand-new game: Boulder’s Unique Ecosystems Trivia. It’s fun, fast, and perfect for a quick brain boost between brunch plans.

šŸ‘‰ Play Now

šŸŽØ+🌮 More Than Just a Pretty Plate

Art feeds the soul, but food fests feed everything. These events support local chefs, connect neighbors, and turn a sunny day into something unforgettable. Whether you dream of dumpling cook-offs or dessert-only nights, Boulder’s got the appetite—and the creative energy—to make it happen.

Trivia Answer: D) Rocky Mountain Juniper

Rocky Mountain Juniper is well-adapted to the rocky slopes of the Flatirons, thriving in the arid conditions found there.

-What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 🌸

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