"Learning about fermentation and the importance of the microbes on our gut health is [something] we are excited to share.  It is a culinary art..."

Rene Williams, owner of Science Loves Art is clearly passionate about the event she hosted a couple of weeks ago.  The Fermentation Festival serves as one of SLA's biggest fundraisers and, due to COVID-19, it was feared that the show would not go on.  However, with the help of SLA's Marketing Manager, Cullen, Rene and the team were able to modify the event to fully comply to COVID safe measures.  The team committed to closing off the street, limiting the number of guests, complying with social distancing, and requiring masks to be worn.  With all safety measures in place, the event opened its doors a couple of weeks ago.  

The event ran from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and hosted live music, tasty food, and locally brewed drinks.  The music was important for setting the mood and giving the event a final taste of summer.  Hunter Hicks, Cousin Flamingo, and Mantisgrove played the entire time, and paired well with the beautiful weather and sunset.  

The wafting of live music may have been a big part of drawing a crowd to the festival, but the fermented brews, donated by local brewers, got them in the door.  Beer tokens were sold for $2.50, and were used to purchase brews from SLA's microbe collaborator, Shannon Albeke, Bonds Brewery, Coal Creek Tap, and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery.  One of the most popular brews of the night came from Bonds Brewery as they supplied a special blend using fresh basil and strawberry rhubarb.  Yum! 

In addition to the breweries, local fermenter favorite, Mama Boos debuted some new fermented water, kefir drinks, and kefir grain kits alongside their traditional fermented favorites.  Keeping with the theme, Rene explored and created fermented salsa.  Alibi was able to provide sour dough starters and bread samples as well.  With great diversity in fermented products at this year's festival, it's no surprise that guests were able to learn about how microbes work to ferment.  In fact, they learned so much that there is rumor of starting an official fermentation club!

250 tickets were available for purchase on a donation basis, but sold out quickly due to the promise of good music and great food.  While there were a lot fewer guests than originally anticipated, there were no lines for food or drink, and there was plenty of space for relaxing.  Attendance may be limited in the future simply for the positive impact it had on the event.  Despite the lower attendance, Science Loves Art was able to pull together a great festival that raised enough money to fund art kits for nearly 1,000 kids this school year!

While Rene, and the entire SLA team, hope to host the event next year without masks, it was a very successful evening and all who were able to attend had a great time.  Local businesses were supported, and a great conversation about microbes and the fermentation was started.  Rene hopes to continue this conversation as her business grows and the planning for a 2021 Fermentation Festival begins.  In her own words, Rene concludes,

"The Fermentation Festival may have been a singular event, but is beginning to have an effect on our community and state."

Rene Williams, owner of Science Loves Art is clearly passionate about the event she hosted a couple of weeks ago.  The Fermentation Festival serves as one of SLA's biggest fundraisers and, due to COVID-19, it was feared that the show would not go on.  However, with the help of SLA's Marketing Manager, Cullen, Rene and the team were able to modify the event to fully comply to COVID safe measures.  The team committed to closing off the street, limiting the number of guests, complying with social distancing, and requiring masks to be worn.  With all safety measures in place, the event opened its doors a couple of weeks ago.  

The event ran from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and hosted live music, tasty food, and locally brewed drinks.  The music was important for setting the mood and giving the event a final taste of summer.  Hunter Hicks, Cousin Flamingo, and Mantisgrove played the entire time, and paired well with the beautiful weather and sunset.  

The wafting of live music may have been a big part of drawing a crowd to the festival, but the fermented brews, donated by local brewers, got them in the door.  Beer tokens were sold for $2.50, and were used to purchase brews from SLA's microbe collaborator, Shannon Albeke, Bonds Brewery, Coal Creek Tap, and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery.  One of the most popular brews of the night came from Bonds Brewery as they supplied a special blend using fresh basil and strawberry rhubarb.  Yum! 

In addition to the breweries, local fermenter favorite, Mama Boos debuted some new fermented water, kefir drinks, and kefir grain kits alongside their traditional fermented favorites.  Keeping with the theme, Rene explored and created fermented salsa.  Alibi was able to provide sour dough starters and bread samples as well.  With great diversity in fermented products at this year's festival, it's no surprise that guests were able to learn about how microbes work to ferment.  In fact, they learned so much that there is rumor of starting an official fermentation club!

250 tickets were available for purchase on a donation basis, but sold out quickly due to the promise of good music and great food.  While there were a lot fewer guests than originally anticipated, there were no lines for food or drink, and there was plenty of space for relaxing.  Attendance may be limited in the future simply for the positive impact it had on the event.  Despite the lower attendance, Science Loves Art was able to pull together a great festival that raised enough money to fund art kits for nearly 1,000 kids this school year!

While Rene, and the entire SLA team, hope to host the event next year without masks, it was a very successful evening and all who were able to attend had a great time.  Local businesses were supported, and a great conversation about microbes and the fermentation was started.  Rene hopes to continue this conversation as her business grows and the planning for a 2021 Fermentation Festival begins.  In her own words, Rene concludes,

"The Fermentation Festival may have been a singular event, but is beginning to have an effect on our community and state."