ALAMOSA — The San Luis Valley is a cornucopia of agricultural production that culminates in the fall season. In observance of the plentiful harvest the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition (LFC) will host its fifth annual harvest celebration at the Rio Grande Farm Park on September 9 from 9 to 5 p.m.

All are invited to experience a diversity of food featuring local ingredients, the delicious spirits of SLV Brewing Company and Vino Salida, plenty of live local music provided by Alamosa Local Music Association (ALMA) and many fine local artists with their arts and crafts for sale.

This year’s event will include the Local Alamosa Farmers Market. All vendors will be relocating the usual Saturday Farmers Market to the Rio Grande Farm Park with normal market vendors and hours.  The Rio Grande Farm Park is located at 6935 Hwy 17 in Alamosa.

This family friendly event will also feature a petting zoo, games, hayrides, and farm tours, and educational activities. This event is made possible from a generous grant to several community partners through the LFC from the Colorado Health Foundation with a goal to activate outdoor spaces focusing on the Rio Grande corridor. The LFC is also very grateful to its host sponsor the First Southwest Bank for their business sponsorship of the organization’s mission.

Local Foods will be prepared and served from all across the Valley and of many unique cuisines including: Calvillo’s Mexican Restaurant, The MOKI with delicious crepes prepared by local chef Dave Gordon, Crestone’s The Fox and Owl Noodle Cart with creative noodle dishes with local veggies and meat, Chris Gosar’s famous Gosar Sausage, Buy The Scoop local residents Nathan and Brittany serve ice cream with cow’s milk from a front range dairy in Longmont, and local resident Lucia Gaspar’s homemade tamales.

“We are really excited about our fourth annual event festival-style showcasing many of our amazing local chefs, cooks, musicians and artists as a ‘friend-raiser.’ Old friends and new — please come celebrate with us on the land,” said Local Foods Coalition Executive Director Liza Marron.

Tickets are available online for the Soiree at HarvestSoiree.eventbrite.com  or at the event itself.

Tickets are $5. Children 5 & under get in free. Please be prepared to support local artists and food truck vendors.

For information on the event call the LFC office at 937-2319 or email to [email protected]

About SLV Local Foods Coalition and the Rio Grande Farm Park:

The SLV Local Foods Coalition works to foster a more equitable local food system that restores the health of the people, community, economy and ecosystem. It achieves this mission through the Valley Roots Food Hub an aggregation and distribution hub in Mosca of local foods to regional restaurants, retail outlets, institutions and a seasonal fresh box to families. Cooking Matters teaches cooking courses to parents showing them how to cook healthy on a budget. Healthy Habits conducts cooking demonstrations at both Monte Vista and Alamosa Farmers markets sharing recipes and tastes of the day and finally the “Local Roots” Food Guide featuring all known SLV producers who make their product available to SLV eaters. The third edition of the Local Roots Guide will be available soon. www.slvlocalfoods.org

The Rio Grande Farm Park is an innovative, multi-use agricultural park designed to provide public economic development and a space for the community to gather and learn about sustainable food. When finished, it will feature walking trails, a working farm, a commercial kitchen and more. www.riograndefarmpark.org