Prepare to fall in love. Europe's famed Gelato Festival is coming to America, and Boulder is first on the list.
Filled with all the tastiness, fun, and friendly competition of its predecessor in Florence, Italy, the Gelato Festival is making its American debut -- in Boulder no less. For three days, September 29 – October 1, the nation's best gelato artisans will battle it out with their very best recipes, seeking the coveted best Artisanal Italian Gelato award. And festivalgoers get to weigh in! WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29 | 2–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 | 12–8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 | 12–7 p.m. WHERE: 1710 29th Street, Boulder, CO 80301 TICKETS: Adults -- $20 | Kids -- $10 (Purchase tickets here) [gallery size="medium" columns="2" ids="24168,24167"] In addition to Boulder, Gelato Festival America is making three other stops this fall -- in Santa Barbara, Scottsdale, and Tucson. The winner of the competition in each city will earn a spot to compete on the final stage for the title of Best American Gelato of the Year. Competing gelato flavors on the Boulder stage will include Spicy Chocolate, Strawberry Cheesecake Crunch, Italia Summer Sensation, Re Manfredi, Dolce Carlotta, and Chocolate Hazelnut. And ticket entry means you get to vote for your favorite flavor, alongside the panel of experts. (Note to self: research what it takes to join the gelato "panel of experts"). [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="24169,24174"] In addition to samples of all the many gelatos available (both the competing flavors and the ones provided by sponsors), the festival will include plenty of fun activities, presentations, and performances for all.
Invented in 1559 in Italy, gelato generally has one third of the fat and calorie content of ice cream and is made with smaller ice crystals, resulting in a creamier texture. It's made fresh daily with fresh ingredients.
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Image courtesy of Gelato Festival Europe's Facebook page[/caption]
The European version of the festival held competitions in Italy, England, Poland, and Germany, earlier this year, and its September 17 finals in Florence drew some 50,000 people. Massimiliano Scotti of Vigevano, Italy, won first place with his creation "My First True Milk," a simple blend of milk, honey, and rice.
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For more information, visit the event's website or its Facebook page.
