MONTE VISTA — This summer marks the first annual “Taste of the San Luis Valley,” to be held June 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Monte Vista’s Chapman Park. This exciting new outdoor event will showcase the area’s diverse and delicious cuisine served by local restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, food trucks and other food-related businesses.

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce invites all food-related businesses throughout the San Luis Valley and Upper Rio Grande to participate. Chefs and other kitchen staff are additionally invited to demonstrate their culinary skills with live cooking demos, recipe giveaways and food preparation guidance.

The investment for businesses is minimal, ranging from just $35 to $200 for space rental. The return is an unprecedented opportunity to introduce businesses to residents and tourists alike by providing food samplings from the menu or product list. 

Other vendors encouraged to participate include those who produce items such as specialty cheeses and honey; organic-free-range chicken or duck eggs; aquafarm-raised fish; handcrafted foods such as jerky, chocolate, fudge, herbs, spices and nuts; organic or grass-fed beef or lamb; and other non-restaurant food items. 

Local artists and crafters are also invited to show their wares.

Participating restaurants and other businesses will be spotlighted on the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce website and Facebook page and in the local media.

The music groups Indian Nickel and Mariachi Corazon del Valle will perform during the event; local brewpubs such as Colorado Farm Brewery and San Luis Valley Brewing will serve up locally-crafted suds; and the Colorado National Guard will attend with a special Humvee and fun-for the-kiddie’s jousting pit.

To sign up or for more information on the 2018 Taste of the San Luis Valley, visit montevistachamber.org/events or email Jerry Apker at 719-852-2731 or [email protected]. Registration deadline is June 1.