Hello fellow Avilones. It’s a new month, so MAY I have your attention, please? Okay, okay, another feeble attempt at humor, so those of you who know me best will simply groan as usual. Moving along, I want to begin this column with an update of two events that are “catching fire” in their planning stages. Previously I made mention of the newly-being-created AVILA APPLE FESTIVAL, scheduled for the first weekend in October. Now that we are zeroing in on event details, I am thrilled to share them with you. On Saturday the 4th, this new signature event featuring the highly-regarded Avila Beach apple industry kicks off with a “Meet the Growers” dinner on the grounds of the popular Avila Valley Barn. You likely haven’t seen the secluded, grassy area creatively designed by “The Barn” for special events, but I can tell you after a recent tour that the setting will be spectacular!
The “Festival Brief” prepared by event coordinator Penny Burciaga offers the following…. “Under a canopy of lights nestled between the apple orchards of the Avila Valley Barn, guests will experience a true farm-to-table dinner catered by local Chef Jessie Smith. The evening begins with an enchanting wagon ride on lined-covered hay bales and adorned with fresh sunflowers. Upon arriving at the secret orchard lawn, you will enjoy fresh ciders, apples wines, chats with local apple growers, and tabletop apple culture demonstrations presented by the Rare Fruit Growers Society of San Luis Obispo. The apple-theme dinner menu will feature apple cider marinated chicken breast with apple influence sauces; cider-brined and apple wood smoked pork loin; home grown vegetable medley topped with parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheese wrapped in a puff pastry served with smoked red pepper couli; arugula salad with roasted butternut squash, candied pecans, diced apples and goat cheese; mixed summer squash with red onions, cherry tomatoes and roasted red peppers; assorted dinner rolls; assorted cheese charcuteri table; apple cobbler & ice cream dessert; assortment of non-alcoholic beverages; and a no-host bar provided by local Avila wines and cider producers.” Wow – if that doesn’t make you hungry nothing will!
But wait - that’s not all! The very next day (October 5th) you can enjoy the “IT’S EVERYTHING APLLE VENDOR FAIR” on the Avila Beach Promenade where the smells of fresh apple pie, carmel apples and sweet tasting ciders from Avila Valley will fill the fresh ocean air. This family-oriented event will feature booths of local apple growers, food offerings, contests, games and crafts for the kids, educational demonstrations and great local entertainment. More details and ticket information can be found by visiting the “Foundation” website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
The second event I referred to is especially for those of you “Peter Pans” who simply don’t want to grow up. After a presentation by County Supervisor Adam Hill at the April meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, followed by further discussion between “Foundation” representatives and event founder Valerie Wang, we learned of a rather unique activity coming to Avila Beach. Titled “Forever NeverLand”, this extravaganza is, as Valerie says, “a Disneyland for adults”, scheduled for September 13th and 14th at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Imagine if you will four “Lands” of imagination and play. International World is a food and wine tent featuring local restaurants, breweries and wineries. Pirates Cove is a water-themed land complete with water-based activities like beach volleyball and water slides. Castle Land is a royal setting with a human-sized chess board, giant twister, rock climbing, zip lining and bounce houses. Future Land, that of lasers, black light painting and laser tag. All this and more topped with four concert stages featuring music of the 80s and 90s. While Forever NeverLand organizers have a goal of hosting 7,500 guests each day, we are assured that the primary target group is 30-50 year olds. In fact, no one under the age of 21 will be permitted. We are also told that steps to ensure traffic flow, parking and security will be similar to what Avila experienced during last year’s Amgen Tour – a highly anticipated and publicized event that turned out just fine thanks to pre-planning and controls put in place. And to their credit, event organizers are donating a portion of all ticket sales to benefit Avila Beach non-profit organizations and community projects. For a preview of coming attractions and ticket information, you can visit WWW.FOREVERNEVERLAND.US.
Oops, I’ve once used all my allocated space with more to write, but no space remains. So, that’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
The “Festival Brief” prepared by event coordinator Penny Burciaga offers the following…. “Under a canopy of lights nestled between the apple orchards of the Avila Valley Barn, guests will experience a true farm-to-table dinner catered by local Chef Jessie Smith. The evening begins with an enchanting wagon ride on lined-covered hay bales and adorned with fresh sunflowers. Upon arriving at the secret orchard lawn, you will enjoy fresh ciders, apples wines, chats with local apple growers, and tabletop apple culture demonstrations presented by the Rare Fruit Growers Society of San Luis Obispo. The apple-theme dinner menu will feature apple cider marinated chicken breast with apple influence sauces; cider-brined and apple wood smoked pork loin; home grown vegetable medley topped with parmesan, romano and mozzarella cheese wrapped in a puff pastry served with smoked red pepper couli; arugula salad with roasted butternut squash, candied pecans, diced apples and goat cheese; mixed summer squash with red onions, cherry tomatoes and roasted red peppers; assorted dinner rolls; assorted cheese charcuteri table; apple cobbler & ice cream dessert; assortment of non-alcoholic beverages; and a no-host bar provided by local Avila wines and cider producers.” Wow – if that doesn’t make you hungry nothing will!
But wait - that’s not all! The very next day (October 5th) you can enjoy the “IT’S EVERYTHING APLLE VENDOR FAIR” on the Avila Beach Promenade where the smells of fresh apple pie, carmel apples and sweet tasting ciders from Avila Valley will fill the fresh ocean air. This family-oriented event will feature booths of local apple growers, food offerings, contests, games and crafts for the kids, educational demonstrations and great local entertainment. More details and ticket information can be found by visiting the “Foundation” website at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
The second event I referred to is especially for those of you “Peter Pans” who simply don’t want to grow up. After a presentation by County Supervisor Adam Hill at the April meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, followed by further discussion between “Foundation” representatives and event founder Valerie Wang, we learned of a rather unique activity coming to Avila Beach. Titled “Forever NeverLand”, this extravaganza is, as Valerie says, “a Disneyland for adults”, scheduled for September 13th and 14th at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Imagine if you will four “Lands” of imagination and play. International World is a food and wine tent featuring local restaurants, breweries and wineries. Pirates Cove is a water-themed land complete with water-based activities like beach volleyball and water slides. Castle Land is a royal setting with a human-sized chess board, giant twister, rock climbing, zip lining and bounce houses. Future Land, that of lasers, black light painting and laser tag. All this and more topped with four concert stages featuring music of the 80s and 90s. While Forever NeverLand organizers have a goal of hosting 7,500 guests each day, we are assured that the primary target group is 30-50 year olds. In fact, no one under the age of 21 will be permitted. We are also told that steps to ensure traffic flow, parking and security will be similar to what Avila experienced during last year’s Amgen Tour – a highly anticipated and publicized event that turned out just fine thanks to pre-planning and controls put in place. And to their credit, event organizers are donating a portion of all ticket sales to benefit Avila Beach non-profit organizations and community projects. For a preview of coming attractions and ticket information, you can visit WWW.FOREVERNEVERLAND.US.
Oops, I’ve once used all my allocated space with more to write, but no space remains. So, that’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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