In case you missed it, the 34th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival took over the streets of Cherry Creek North from July 4 to 6, turning the neighborhood between 2nd and 3rd Avenue into a vibrant celebration of creativity. This free community event brought together art enthusiasts, locals and visitors alike to experience a wide range of impressive works that included large-scale sculptures, intricate textiles, thoughtfully designed home décor and handcrafted pottery. With more than 260 featured artists, there was truly something for everyone to discover. And of course, no summer festival is complete without the food to commemorate the fun. Here is a foodies guide to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
While the arts were the central focus of the event, we brought the appetite. Thankfully, the festival delivered a solid lineup for foodies too. With over 20 culinary options, the event offered flavor on just about every block. In keeping with the festival’s emphasis on the community, the variety of food choices helped create a sense of togetherness through promoting small businesses, shared bites and iconic tastes. A couple of standout vendors include Lazo Empanadas – offering Argentina-inspired recipes that did not disappoint. We tried the spinach and cheese, spicy ground beef and spicy chicken empanadas – each packed with flavor and served with plenty of chimichurri for generous dipping. Fortunately, you can revisit the experience at one of their Denver-area locations.
Next, we simply could not resist the cheese balls from Bruna’s Brazilian Cheese Bread. We mixed and matched the Cheddar & Parmesan topped with guava sauce and the Garlic & Onion topped with cheddar cheese sauce and honestly, they were good enough to justify ordering an entire case. Each bite was warm, melty and textured just right. The sweet guava complemented the savory bread, which turned out to be a standout combo that left us tempted to go back for more (eight more rounds, to be exact). We cooled off with a refreshing, freshly squeezed lemonade and made a mental note to visit Bruna’s local shop or surf online with their ready-to-eat and bake-at-home options.
An afternoon spent enjoying art at Cherry Creek is not complete without a taste of seafood, and the Shuck Brothers were there for it. Its seafood and oyster bar was a highlight of the festival. We went straight for its signature Maine Lobster Roll, and it was so tasty and creamy we immediately considered going back for seconds. Naturally, we had to try the West Coast oysters too, which were fresh, briny and balanced with a touch of lemon. The Shuck Brothers also offer catering throughout the Denver area, so be sure to check out their site and keep them in mind for your next private event or celebration.
To wrap up a gorgeously hot summer weekend at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, we cooled down with a sweet treat from Denver Pops. A local favorite, their popsicles are made with organically sourced ingredients and contain no artificial additives or dyes. They looked just as good as they tasted. We tried the Orange Cream and the Cookies and Cream which were refreshing and hard to put down. Do not be surprised if one is simply not enough. Denver Pops can often be found at local festivals throughout the city, so check out their website to see where they will pop up next.
These were just a few of the many food and drink options scattered throughout the festival grounds. Attendees had plenty of chances to visit the bar for canned cocktails and other alcoholic beverages, along with multiple stands serving the festival favorite which was the freshly squeezed lemonade. It was clearly a hit, as nearly everyone could be seen carrying a large cup of citrusy refreshment. Other honorable mentions include the Polish Dumplings from Pierogi Posse, Fried Chicken on a Stick from Koco Street Food, and an Iced Macchiato from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck.
If you missed this year’s festivities, do not fret. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is a beloved, free community event that returns annually bringing people together through art, food, and summer vibes.
See you there next year, Denver!