March Happenings in Foco

Fort Collins is never at a loss for unique ways to stay entertained. We’ve highlighted some of our favorites for March and it is better to not waste a day because things start rolling right now with Great Plates! If you are unfamiliar with this long-running foodie gem in Fort Collins, let us acquaint you.

Great Plates (GP) is held every year from March 1st-14th in Old Town, highlighting the diversity and delectability of over 30 restaurants in the area. The deal runs $25.00 dinner specials, which can feed up to 4; or $2.50 for anything from ice cream, burgers, to a flight of pancakes, each individual restaurant featuring their own exclusive eats and treats. Heather Lawrence of The Canyon Chop House and veteran of all things Old Town had this to say about GP; “Great Plates affords people the chance to go get great deals at places they may not be able to afford usually or just haven’t had the chance to go to yet. It also allows restaurants an opportunity to showcase samples of what they have to offer new to guests every year. It’s a lot of fun!” To access menu and map, click here for all the Great Plates information.

GP’s roots are in charity, which makes trying these different restaurants all the more fun. Great Plates was developed as a way not only to highlight our local food scene but to also bring awareness and fundraising to the Food Bank for Larimer County. At the end of the meal, you will be presented with the opportunity, in the form of an envelope, to give the money you saved to help others in need. For every $.25 donated, a meal is provided for someone in our community. Can you say “Win-Win!”?

Make a whole night out of your Great Plates experience by checking out one of the local plays in town at the Bas Blue Playhouse and The Lincoln Center. Both are just a short jaunt away so grab one of our courtesy bikes to either location, they are that close! (The Lincoln Center is 2 blocks from Fernweh) Currently Bas Blue is showing LUV, a Tony award winning comedy set in the 1960s New York. Lincoln Center is hosting two events this month, first being Brian Sanders’ JUNK, using found objects and inventive ways to combine theater and physical dance. “The troupe’s shows are an exhilarating feast of exciting physicality and creativity, elegantly served up with beauty and wit.” The second play, Unnecessary Farce, is a comedic adventure with bumbling detectives, a corrupt politician, and a sexy lady or two, where “everyone ends up dead or in bed”. Sounds hysterical.

And what would March be without a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration? Don’t think St. Patty’s only for the “Kiss Me I’m Irish” crowd of college kids! No, no, Fort Collins proudly hosts a wildly popular parade every year in downtown, Lucky Joe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade begins at 10am on Saturday, March 14th, is free to the public and includes over 80 Irish themed floats and entries. Following the parade is Old Town Irish Party featuring live Irish music, Guinness, green beer, and food. In the evening, bring it down a notch a family friendly event in Old Town Square, Balloon Glow. Beginning at sunset, hot air balloons will be lit up for your enjoyment.

There a few ideas to get you started and to wrap up, I’d like to leave you with my personal, ongoing favorite to frequent, our Winter Farmer's Market. The Farmer’s Market provides you with a wonderful opportunity to meet the real people of our community and pick up some exquisite local wares and yummy goodies. Set inside the alluring Opera House Galleria, the Farmer’s Market has a small, cozy vibe bursting with an abundance of local products, friendly people, face painting for the kids, and live music. “Vendors will be selling late-season produce, grass-fed meats, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, wine, jams, juices, salsas, sauces, pastas, baked goods, sweets, and locally made handcrafts”. Whoa! There are two opportunities in March to catch this until it is gone, the 7th and the 28th from 10am-2pm.

All of these activities are right downtown so just another great opportunity to hop on a bike and cruise our neighborly streets! Happy March!

XO Fernweh Staffer, Cassie

Photo from Be Local Colorado