Jetsettersblog

Festivals and Special Events from Late September through November
Reveal a Celebration of Colorado’s Agricultural Staples

DENVER – With harvest season soon to reach its peak in Colorado (www.colorado.com), areas across the state prepare to celebrate the bold flavors of Colorado during the state’s signature food, wine and distillery festivals and events in late fall. Below is a sampling of events where visitors can experience Colorado’s harvest season up close and personal. For additional information on festivals and events in Colorado, visit www.colorado.com/live/.

The 11th Annual Mountain Harvest Festival (September 22-25) in Paonia is a celebration of locally grown and produced agricultural products across Delta County. Attendees can participate in a grape stomp, chili cook-off, pie contest, farmer’s market, farm and wine tour and live music. www.mountainharvestfestival.com

Loaf N’ Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival (September 23-25) is Pueblo’s harvest celebration showcasing the town’s most loved crop, green chilies‚ particularly the Pueblo Chile. Events include cooking competitions, arts and crafts, music and entertainment throughout the weekend. www.pueblochilefestivalInfo.com

Fruita Fall Festival (September 23-25) is a fun-filled weekend for the whole family showcasing the youth pet and talent show, the renowned bed race and a baking and canning contest. www.fruitafallfestival.com

Autumn Gold (September 24-25) in Estes Park is a festival of bands, brats and beer. Bluegrass, folk, western and rock music accompany the sound of bugling elk while cold beer, hot cider and bratwursts are served. www.estesparkcvb.com

Harvest Fest (September 24-25) invites visitors to partake in wine tastings and tours and enjoy food selections from local produce and cheeses to salmon, crepes, roasted chilies and freshly baked breads in the Rosemary Gardens of the Holy Cross Abbey Grounds. www.abbeywinery.com

Durango Cowboy Gathering (September 29 – October 2) welcomes cowboys of all walks to flock to Durango for a weekend of wild festivities. Nationally renowned cowboy poets entertain the town with song and yarn, and an authentic, non-motorized parade in the historic downtown area. www.durangocowboygathering.org

Penrose Apple Day (October 1) celebrates harvest season with an Apple Day Queen, and Apple Day Dumplings, a silent auction and a free piece of apple pie. Cedaredge Apple Fest (October 1-2) rings in the harvest of the Honey Crisp, Fuji and Golden Delicious apples grown in the region with music, food, art, a classic car show, antique tractor show and more. www.penrosechamber.com; www.cedaredgechamber.com.

Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival (October 7-9). Colorado distillers gather in Breckenridge for a grand showcase featuring tastings of handcrafted spirits. Restaurant specials, a pub crawl and saloon tours complement the festivities. The first of its kind in the state, the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival was born of Colorado’s growing artisan spirits industry. www.gobreck.com/spirits-festival

Chatfield Pumpkin Festival (October 8-9) at Denver Botanic Gardens in Chatfield invites families to enjoy pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling and monster hand building. Children can explore fairyland with the Harvest Faerie, ride a pony and take a ride on the Barrel Train at this 10-acre pumpkin patch. www.botanicgardens.org.  For a complete list of Colorado pumpkin patches and corn mazes, visit www.coloradoagriculture.com.

EatDenver Harvest Week (October 9-13) is a weeklong celebration of Colorado food with a series of five dinners at the GrowHaus, featuring a different local chef each dinner. Each chef will create a course that features food and/or beverages grown or produced in the state. www.eatdenver.com

Denver International Wine Festival (November 2-5). As Denver’s premier wine and food festival, the event will showcase 400 wines from 18 countries through a food and wine pairing competition, educational seminars and guided tastings. www.denverwinefest.com

Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show (November 4-6). Over 25,000 shoppers enjoy a one-of-a-kind shopping experience as well as “Colorado’s Cookin,’” an event showcasing unique local food products and demonstrations from Colorado chefs. www.coloradochristmasgiftshow.com

The Colorado Cheese Festival (November 5-6) at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds invites attendees to sample artisan cheese from local vendors. The festival is complete with a mozzarella making demonstration along with a grilled cheese challenge. www.cocheesefest.com

For more information on Colorado’s agricultural products, farmers markets and events, download a copy of the 2011 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory at www.coloradoagriculture.com/farmfresh

ABOUT COLORADO
Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, 26 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state’s breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks, monuments and historic sites, and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the 2011 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.COLORADO.com  or call 1-800-COLORADO. Follow Colorado on Twitter at www.twitter.com/colorado or become a Colorado Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/visitcolorado.

London’s cyclists given a free route through the city centre for one day only.

LONDON, ENGLAND,– Last year, some 80,000 people got on their bikes and enjoyed the freedom of the roads in Central London at the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride. This year is expected to be just as popular, with riders of all ages and abilities taking in some of the city’s most iconic sites as London’s roads become car-free for a day.

To prevent too much disruption to drivers, the event is always on a Sunday, and this year’s ride takes place on September 4th, making it the perfect way to round off the summer holidays before the kids go back to school.

Due to the popularity of the event, it is necessary to register on the Sky Ride website, a process which has been streamlined this year to make it easier for parents to register the whole family. Participation is completely free.

Each group is led by a qualified leader who will ensure the safety of all participants, while the route can be joined at any stage. There will be an entertainment village at St. James’s Park to keep youngsters amused.

Participants can also be entered into a draw to win a cycling lesson from television presenter Gethin Jones, as well as brilliant 3D TV and year-log Sky package.

If you want to make a weekend of it, Hotels-london.co.uk can offer several places to stay and enjoy London at your leisure. The Sanderson Hotel in Soho and Covent Garden’s Kingsway Hall Hotel are both excellent options.

For more information about the Mayor of London’s Sky Ride, visit http://www.goskyride.com/london

Taking Place During Arizona State Centennial Best Fest in Prescott

Prescot, AZ – The Arizona Centennial Film Festival, an officially sanctioned State Centennial event, will be held during the AZ Best Fest, September 16‐18 at Hendrix Auditorium in Prescott’s Mile High Middle School (300 S. Granite Street).

The festival will be screening films shot in Arizona from the silent era through today. Some of the films that will be “on the big screen” once more include the original 3:10 to Yuma with Glenn Ford, Pride of the Bowery (with wonderful shots of 1940 era Prescott!) and Angel and the Badman starring John Wayne. Tickets are a $5 donation for each film and can be purchased at the door.

The annual Prescott Film Festival will be November 2 – 6th featuring five full days of independent films from the U.S. and around the world. Films will be screening at The Elks Theatre and Prescott Center for the Arts. One highlight is the Wine Tasting at the Hassayampa Inn on November 5, featuring wines from Pillsbury Wine Company and Juniper Well Ranch & Vineyards, with a special screening and guest immediately following at the Elks.

After‐parties have been added this year and locations include Monk’s, The Cattleman’s Bar & Grill and 129 1/2: An American Jazz Grill. The festival will also be presenting five free workshops including Alan Dean Foster, Sam Pillsbury and Hollywood acting coach Clair Sinnett.

The festival will be presenting a mini‐festival for children; “Independent Films for Independent Kids” at the Prescott Public Library. Presented by the library, PFF and Friends of the Prescott Public Library the event will be free and open to the public.

See the website, www.prescottfilmfestival.com for more details, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @prescottflmfest

Announces Christmas / New Year’s Availability / Early Booking Incentives

The active travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small, expedition ships announces early-bird specials inclusive of, among others, free roundtrip air for holiday cruises beginning in mid December.

Todd Smith, founder and the “Smith” in AdventureSmith Explorations (http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/ ), said that as of late August there is still “great availability” on holiday cruises but that this can change overnight because an expedition vessel on average accommodates less than 150 guests.

Complimentary roundtrip air from select cities comes with an early bird booking by Aug. 31, 2011, of Voyage Through the Sea of Cortez – Dec 26-Jan 2. The National Geographic M/V Sea Bird accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins explores regions inaccessible to larger ships, allowing for a New Year’s Eve isolated island beach BBQ, swimming with sea lions and more. The per person double occupancy rate is from $4,250. http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/143

Guests can save $200 per person by booking Sea of Cortez Yacht Cruise – Dec. 24-31 or Dec 31 – Jan 7, 2012 by Sept. 30, 2011. Families can also save $400 for ages 12-19 on these departures of the 120-foot, M/Y Safari Quest that carries up to 22 passengers in 12 well- appointed cabins. Christmas is spent on isolated Isla Partida in a spectacular bay called Ensenada Grande with hiking, kayaking and snorkeling. The per person double occupancy rate is from $4,995. http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/39

Guests save 10 percent on the cruise portion by booking Antarctic Dream Air Cruise – Dec 22-30 by Aug. 31, 2011. This trip explores Deception Island and the Antarctic Peninsula on the M/V The Antarctic Dream, a Dutch-built, ice-reinforced vessel for 78 guests, all in outside cabins with private bathrooms. The per person double occupancy rate is from $9,500.

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/335

Other holiday expedition cruises include:

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula – Dec. 17-Jan. 1

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/171;

Many Faces of Panama and Costa Rica – Dec.17-27

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/347;

Best of Panama (land-based) – Dec. 23-Jan.1

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/243;

Panama Family Adventure – Dec. 24-Jan.1

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/310;

Peru Mountain/Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge Trek (land-based) – Depart Dec. 22, 23, 24

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/181;

New Zealand – Aotearoa The Natural Elements – Dec. 18-30

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/339;

New Zealand & Sub Antarctic Wildlife – Dec. 20-Jan. 3

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/275;

Exploring New Zealand’s North & South Islands Dec. 27-Jan.12

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/304;

Great Barrier Reef – Dec. 20-27, Dec. 27-Jan. 3

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/324;

Hawaiian Seascapes – Dec.19-26

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/200;

Costa Rica Connoisseur (land-based) – Dec. 24-Jan.1

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/5

Smith explained the primary differences in experiences between small ship (150 or fewer passengers) and mega ships that carry up to 5,000 passengers.

“The small ships focus on experience away from the vessel, as in observing glaciers, whales, birds and land mammals; the large ships focus on dining venues, port of call shopping and ship-board entertainment,” he said.

Adventure Smith Explorations is the global leader in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas ashore. The company matches guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well with intimate, boutique ships that may not make the radar of most travelers.

In moving through exotic natural environments and exploring vibrant native cultures seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries, AdventureSmith Explorations dedicates its efforts to small footprint, sustainable travel and has launched a carbon free cruising initiative. Its off-the-beaten-path destinations include Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Hawaii, Peru, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Australia.

The company’s mission is to give back to the individuals, communities and environments touched by AdventureSmith Explorations trips by connecting travelers with a network of grassroots and global nonprofit partners worldwide including the Alaska Natural History Association, Neotropica Foundation and Galapagos Conservancy. The company was named by National Geographic Adventure as one of “The Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” and is the recipient of Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious “World Savers Award.”

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, California along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or 530-583-1775. Email: travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com  or visit: www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com

Visitors to Bondi Beach on September 11th will be entertained by kite flying displays.

Kite displays and live entertainment will be the order of the day when the Festival of the Winds takes place in Sydney in mid-September.

The skies will come alive over Bondi Beach during the family-friendly event on Sunday September 11th, with kites in the shape of cartoon characters, flowers and giant animals set to be flown over the sandy stretch.

Kite fliers from across Australia and overseas will head to the beach to show off their home-made creations and flying skills, and all attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites along.

Displays are due to commence at 11:00 local time and the best designs will be honoured with awards at 15:00.

As well as the kite flying, a diverse range of acts are set to perform throughout the festival, kicking off with illusionist Lindsay Gardner at 11:30.

Other artists to look out for include the lively Bolivia Unida Folkloric Dance Group and Declan Kelly & the Rising Sun, who blend Irish folk music with Polynesian melodies and reggae.

To complement the event, an exhibition of kites from many different cultures will be on display at Bondi Pavilion from Monday September 5th to Sunday September 18th.

Tourists keen to attend the Festival of the Winds can use LateRooms.com.au to choose from a huge selection of last minute accommodation in Sydney.

For further information on the event, head to http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/

CORNWALL, ENGLAND– The Cornwall Food and Drink Festival returns to Lemon Quay in Truro next month.

Running from Friday September 23rd to Sunday September 25th, the event is free to attend and celebrates Cornwall’s long-held reputation as one of the finest foodie regions in the UK.

Visitors can look forward to seeing culinary experts in action in the Chefs’ Theatre, as well as wandering around a bustling farmers’ market stocked by local food producers.

Chefs scheduled to appear at this year’s event include Brian Jones of The Harbour Inn in Porthleven and Lee Groves, a former semi-finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals who works at The Seagrass in St Ives.

Elsewhere, children will be kept occupied by activities in the Funky Food Zone, which will offer youngsters the chance to press fresh apples into juice and try a variety of Cornish cheeses.

The festival’s food and drink pavilion is set to include more than 50 exhibitors, giving food lovers the perfect opportunity to fill up their cupboards for the winter.

Festival-goers seeking places to stay in Cornwall will find a range of accommodation at LateRooms.com, including the five-star luxury of Upton House in Fowey.

Visit http://cornwallfoodanddrink.co.uk/festival2011  or contact the organisers on 01872 865101 for more information about this event.

Hot New Hotel on the Idyllic Île de Ré

Villa Clarisse, the stunning sister property of Hôtel de Toiras, has enjoyed its second month of business since opening its French doors to guests on the 1st June 2011. The property located on a secluded side street in Saint Martin de Ré has been described as an “idyllic setting in the heart of this pretty port town”.

The truly delightful 18th century property, classified by the Batiments de France, is the historic birthplace of General Lapasset, a French general of the 19th century. The interior has been designed by the owner Olivia Le Calvez and interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon, together they have added modern elegance to one of the town’s most beautiful villas. The monochrome pallet used throughout complements the historic character and features of the villa. The nine intimately decorated rooms are light and spacious with each featuring an original working fireplace, perfect for when the autumn nights draw in.

Guests can take in the beautiful garden surroundings at the back of the property whilst enjoying breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Evening dining is also available at La Table d’Olivia, the restaurant at Hôtel de Toiras which is just a five minute walk away, through the cobble streets of St Martin.

The gardens at the rear of the property, some of the largest in Saint Martin, are also home to a heated open air 5 x 10 m metre swimming pool, guests can kick back and relax in the serene gardens and feel a million miles away from the hussle and bussle of the town.

For more serious spa junkies, Villa Clarisse will be opening a boutique spa in the Spring of 2012 which will boast two treatment rooms and a hammam, located in the gardens of Villa Clarisse.

Nightly rates at Villa Clarisse start from €175 based on two sharing a double room.

www.villa-clarisse.fr

For reservations contact +33 (0)5 46 68 43 00 or contact@villa-clarisse.com

North Dakota’s dove season opens statewide Sept. 1, and hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting.

The daily limit is 15 and possession limit is 30. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The season is open through Oct. 30.

All dove hunters must possess a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate and a general game and habitat license, regardless of age. In addition, hunters ages 16 and older need a small game license.

Hunters who purchase a hunting license through the state Game and Fish Department’s electronic licensing system (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number at (800) 406-6409 can easily get HIP certified.

Otherwise, hunters can access the department’s website, or call (888) 634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, August 24, adopted a 107-day waterfowl season for 2011-2012.

A youth hunt was set for September 24 and 25.

Daily duck bag limits are seven birds in the aggregate – no more than two female mallards, two redheads, three scaup, two pintails, one canvasback – with a possession limit of 14 birds after the first day and no more than four female mallards, four redheads, four pintails, six scaup and two canvasbacks.

Daily limits for Wilson’s snipe are eight, with a possession limit of 16 after the first day; and the daily limit for coots are 25 with a possession limit of 25 after the first day.

Daily bag limits for dark geese – Canada, greater white-fronted – is four per day. Daily limits for light geese – snow, blue, Ross’s – are 10 per day.

Seasons are:

• Area 1: All of the state not included in Area 2.

o For ducks and dark geese from October 1 to January 13, with a shorter scaup season from October 22 to January 13.

o For snow and Ross’s geese from October 1 to January 13, 2012.

• Area 2: All or parts of Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties.

o For ducks and dark geese from October 15 to January 27, 2012, with a shorter scaup season from November 5 to January 27, 2012.

o For snow and Ross’s geese from November 6 to January 27, 2012; and reopen from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

• Area 3: For light geese only – includes that portion of the Upper Snake Region within Bingham County in Game Management Unit 63 south of Highway 20 and west of the west bank of the Snake River, and that portion of the Southeast Region within Bingham and Power counties in units 68 and 68A west of the west bank of the Snake River and American Falls Reservoir bluff.

o For snow and Ross’s geese from October 23 to January 13, 2012; and reopens from February 18 to March 10, 2012.

Parts of Area 2 closed during the spring light goose season are Fort Boise and Payette River WMAs and that portion of the Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area south of state Highway 18, and the Snake River Islands Unit of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in the Southwest Region.

In Area 1, Fremont and Teton counties are closed to light goose hunting.

Additional details will be available in a printed brochure and on the Fish and Game website within about a week.

Hunters must have a valid Idaho hunting license, a federal migratory game bird harvest information program validation and a federal migratory bird (duck) stamp, except youths 15 and under do not need the duck stamp.

Nontoxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting in Idaho.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, August 24, adopted a restricted seven-day, one-bird sage-grouse season for 2011.

The sage-grouse hunting season opens Saturday, October 1.

Sage-grouse season:

§ Seven day season, one-bird daily limit, and two in possession after opening day, statewide in sage-grouse range within Area 2.

§ Area 2 includes:

o Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Power and Teton counties.

o Bannock County west of Interstate 15.

o Bingham County west of Interstate 15.

o Blaine County, except within the Salmon River drainage.

o Bonneville County west of Interstate 15 and north of U.S. Highway 26.

o Custer County, except within the Salmon River drainage upstream from and including Valley Creek.

o Elmore County south and east of U.S. Highway 20 and north of Interstate 84.

o Oneida County west of Interstate 15.

o Owyhee County west of the Bruneau River.

o Twin Falls County east of U.S. Highway 93.

§ Closed:

o All areas not included in Area 2.

Details will be available in a brochure available in print at license vendors and on the Fish and Game website within about a week.

Any person hunting sage- or sharp-tailed grouse must have in their possession a valid hunting license with a sage- sharp-tailed grouse permit validation at $4.75.

The sharp-tail grouse season also opens October 1 and runs October 31. Check the Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure for 2011-2012 for season and limit details.