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It’s been over a year now…… It’s been well over a year of pivoting schedules, canceling plans, and re-imagining how we work and play in this new world of Covid-19. Last year, at this time, the decision of whether or not to hold a holiday party was simple -- no one did. In fact - in many parts of the country, we were under strict lockdown orders, and couldn’t have gathered together if we wanted to. The landscape might look a bit different this year, but overall, the looming question remains the same. Is it safe to host a holiday party this winter, 2021? We might be more open, but with covid variants top of mind for many business owners and corporations, many are asking the question - should we hold a holiday party for our employees and teams? 
Safety tips for Celebrating If you do choose to host a holiday celebration with your work crew, we suggest the following Covid Safe planning tips: 1. Remember that Sanitation is TOP priority. Many venues are required to follow strict safety guidelines. Make sure you are communicating these guidelines and rules to your guests. Plan on providing extra masks, extra sanitizer, and extra space for your guests as well.  2. Skip the buffet and other congestive serving mechanisms. People don’t really want to grab an appetizer off of a tray in a room of thousands of people - nor should they! Stay away from champagne towers, punch bowls, and buffet lines. Replace these with chef serving stations, hip vending machines, and pre-packaged or individually-boxed food experiences. Food trucks are very popular -- why not hire a few of these to cater your team’s holiday celebration? 3. Think outside the box -- THINK OUTSIDE Don’t plan your typical office holiday party. How about a Scavenger Hunt that takes your staff on a trip around town? Plan a round of “golf” at one of the Top Golf locations in Northern Colorado. Feeling altruistic? Set up a day of volunteering and give back to the community with your crew. Perhaps even give your entire staff an extra day off to spend any way they please. When it comes to celebrating the holidays - there are no said rules -- you can make it up as you go, and thanks to Covid, you have an excuse to “shake things up” a bit!  Whatever you do - RESEARCH & COMMUNICATE Whatever route you decide to do, it is important that you do two things -- Research and Communicate It will be up to you to know and follow all of the local, state, and federal rules and precautions. Some of these may impact events. Make sure you are following best practices. It would be bad form to host a party that turns out to be a super spreader - that would not be something to celebrate. Communicating your company’s Covid-19’s response and preparedness is vital, too. Not only with the vendors and venue you choose to use for your celebration, but with your employees, too. Let them know what your expectations are for the event, and the steps your organization will be taking to keep them safe. For more information on Larimer County Covid-19 Health protocols and guidance: https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-community-updates-public-health-orders  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken MBD Marketing & Events is honored to work with a growing number of nonprofit clients. Our marketing team recently began a second year of work for the state-sponsored No DUI Larimer initiative, a branch of our local nonprofit client Partners.  No DUI Larimer aims to keep impaired drivers off northern Colorado roads. Fatal alcohol and drug-caused crashes increased 22% between 2020 and 2021, making this mission more important than ever. In Larimer County, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are of great concern when it comes to impaired driving. Colorado past month marijuana use for ages 12 and older is ranked 3rd in the nation and is 85 percent higher than the national average. Larimer County is home to Fort Collins’ Colorado State University, a university with a large student population – one of the reasons rates of alcohol abuse and DUI are higher than in neighboring counties.  No DUI Larimer’s call to action, “Make the Call,” is multifaceted. The program encourages the public to Make the Call for a sober ride home, to Make the Call about whether they should get behind the wheel, and to Make the Call to 911 to report suspected impaired drivers. No DUI Larimer engages the community through print, online, and television advertisements, as well as through social media with Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest accounts. No DUI Larimer collaborates with government agencies, local law enforcement, emergency medical services (such as Thompson Valley EMS), and the Colorado Department of Transportation to deliver effective messaging and community education. Driving Under the Infuence (DUI) charges in Colorado may come with fines, jail time, community service, education requirements, and license suspension or revocation. Of course, the greatest consequence of impaired driving is loss of life. No DUI Larimer needs your help to stop impaired driving before it happens, and when it’s happening. Visit No DUI Larimer online to learn more about the program, and share what you learn with your family and friends. When everyone does their part, we can overcome impaired driving in Larimer County.  We had the pleasure of planning the early September wedding for long-time My Big Day friends Eriq Sanders and Ashley Schwindt. It was a joy to witness their beautiful wedding ceremony on top of the Elizabeth Hotel!  Classic Elegance with a Colorful Twist Eriq and Ashley chose The Elizabeth Hotel as the backdrop for their wedding because of its classic and elegant style. Ashley had dreamed of having their first look photos on the grand staircase, and her dream did not disappoint -- it was a bucket-list shot, for sure!  The Rooftop Terrace was a perfect mix of classic elegance that Eriq and Ashley spiced up with a mix of colors that fit their bright personalities. Their color palette of oranges and deep purples blended nicely above the beginning changing fall colors in the Old Town trees below.
Friends and family were treated to a beautiful ceremony that included deeply personal touches like a live musical rendition of “Two Men in Love” performed by friends, favorite movie quotes, and personal vows. It was intimate, beautiful, and Eriq and Ashley all the way!  Block One - Old Town Fun After the ceremony, guests made their way to the reception that was held at Block One Events, north of Old Town. While guests enjoyed a refreshing cocktail hour, Eriq and Ashley and their wedding party made their way throughout Old Town Square on a Bar Crawl to a couple of their favorite Old Town spots. They enjoyed shots and drinks at Lucky Joes and Old Elk Distillery.  Eriq and Ashley had originally planned for their reception to be held at the Agave Room above the Rio, but unfortunately, a fire in the facility made that impossible. Fortunately, The Rio was still able to cater their reception at Block One. Guests were treated to Rio tacos and nachos for dinner! Guests spent the evening dancing, drinking, and celebrating! Eriq’s son, Kobe, kept the fun and music going all night long as the event DJ.  We were thrilled that Eriq and Ashley asked us to be a part of their Big Day! It was an honor that they trusted us to help them navigate all of the uncertainty that came with planning a wedding during the time of covid and with all of the last-minute changes that the fire at the Rio threw at them. They met every challenge with grace and patience. Congratulations, Eriq and Ashley! Venue: The Elizabeth Hotel, Block One Events Photographer: PhoCo Florist: CC’s Flower Truck Officiant: Matt Workman, Friend   The event industry is closer to “normal” than this time last year, and venues are responding to the pandemic in different ways. We know many of you have safety concerns but still want to give your child the birthday party they’ve been asking for, especially if they missed out last year. Of course, every family is different – we encourage you to make the best decision for your family’s safety. One of our clients is The Family Center/La Familia. They serve families and children in Northern Colorado. Our team has compiled a list of indoor Colorado kids’ birthday party venues still operating this winter (2021). Visit the links below for more information about each venue’s protocols and restrictions. Happy planning!  Photo via Wooden Mountain on Facebook Loveland Wooden Mountain Bouldering Gym: https://www.woodenmountain.com Jumpin’: https://jumpinfun.com Premier Gymnastics: https://www.premiergymnastics.net/parties/birthday-parties/ Loveland Laser Tag: https://www.laserfuncenter.com/birthday-parties/ Build-a-Bear: https://www.buildabear.com/birthday?sc_cid=pslk:google:Birthday:20210825:US:co:acq:0:bb:birthday:birthday:energy:sl:null&gclid=CjwKCAjw_L6LBhBbEiwA4c46ujanNNrUenCZP4IKRhfZaJozFvPkaz6iz24TLkPVp0hDxFoOzIYYeRoCjP4QAvD_BwE Chilson Center: https://www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/chilson-recreation-center/-fsiteid-1 Fiona’s Fairy Garden: http://www.fionasfairygarden.com/parties Artisan You: https://www.artisanyou.com B Sweet Cupcakes: http://www.bsweetcupcakes.com/index.html  Larimer County Garbage Garage Fort Collins Larimer County Garbage Garage: https://www.larimer.org/garbagegarage Urban Air Trampoline Park: https://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com Fly High Fort Collins: https://foco.flyhightrampolinepark.com The Farm at Lee Martinez Park: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/the-farm-lee-martinez-park Chipper’s Lanes (two locations): https://www.chipperslanes.com Foothills Activity Center: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/foothills-activity-center Fort Fun: https://www.fortfun.biz Rollerland: https://rollerlandskatecenter.com The Gardens on Spring Creek: https://www.fcgov.com/gardens/youth-birthday-parties Fort Collins Museum of Discovery: https://fcmod.org Mountain Kids: https://www.mountain-kids.com Mulberry Pool: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/mulberry-pool City of Fort Collins Pottery Studio: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/pottery-studio Poudre Fire Authority: https://www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/request-a-station-tour-firefighter-visit Piano & Guitar Institute: https://pianoandguitarinstitute.com  Greeley FunPlex via Greeley Tribune Greeley Greeley Recreation Center facilities: https://greeleyrec.com/about/parties-and-rentals/ Windsor The Summit: https://playatthesummit.com/windsor/ Windsor Gymnastics Academy: https://windsorgymnasticsacademy.com Piano & Guitar Institute: https://pianoandguitarinstitute.com AmericInn Hotel pool party: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/americinn/windsor-colorado/americinn-lodge-and-suites-windsor-ft-collins/overview Windsor Community Recreation Center: https://www.recreationliveshere.com/167/Community-Recreation-Center  WOW Children's Museum Lafayette WOW! Children’s Museum: https://wowchildrensmuseum.org Westminster The Butterfly Pavilion: https://butterflies.org/event/birthday-parties/ Broomfield Warrior Challenge Arena: https://www.warriorchallengearena.com/kids-parties Denver Challenge Island: https://challenge-island.com/denver/programs/birthday-parties/  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Northern Colorado’s weather is cooling off, and that has us in the mood for fall-inspired cocktails ideal for a wintry wedding or a fun Friendsgiving. We wrote a blog for our friends at On the Rocks and wanted to share it here as well! Try the recipes below from two of our favorite regional partners – master alcohol deliverers Wilbur’s Total Beverage and vodka connoisseurs Spring44 Distilling.  Mulled Wine from Wilbur’s Total Beverage Fun fact: This cold-weather classic drink dates back to the Roman Empire.
1. Combine ingredients. Add wine, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, honey, and any add-ins to a large saucepan or slow cooker. Stir to combine. 2. Stovetop: Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer (do not boil – you do not want to cook off the alcohol). Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Slow cooker: Heat on low for about an hour until hot, and then reduce heat to warm until ready to serve. 3. Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the used orange slices and spices. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed. 4. Serve warm in heatproof mugs, garnish with orange rounds, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.  Spring 44’s Spiced Pear Martini A rich cocktail for a formal fall get-together, with pear, almond, and cardamom. To make, combine:
 Grand Old Fashioned by Wilbur’s Total Beverage This version of the traditional, elegant drink incorporates subtle flavors like orange oil to balance bitter and sweet flavors.
Combine aromatic bitters, Grand Marnier, and whiskey in an old fashioned glass. Add large ice cube and stir until cold and well incorporated. Garnish with orange twist, expressing oils over glass rim.  Boozy Chai from Spring44 Distilling The warm spices of chai evoke the coziness of fall: cardamom, clove, ginger, and black pepper. Booze it up with some Spring44 Vodka, add a splash of cream and you've created a sipping dessert. To make, combine:
 Apple Bees Knees Cocktail A seasonal twist on a classic gin cocktail. For the honey syrup:
For the cocktail:
1. To make syrup, place water, honey, and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature before using. Remaining syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. 2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add in, lemon juice, apple juice, and honey syrup. Shake to combine and strain into a glass. Garnish with rosemary and apple slices. Shop local and celebrate the season at your next event or date night in with these warm, nostalgic signature cocktails. For more cocktail recipes, check out our list of eight local-inspired signature cocktails for all seasons. Let us help you brainstorm signature cocktails for your next event when you partner with MY BIG DAY or book with On the Rocks.  - by Tiffany Dinsmore With another year ending, the fall and winter festivities are beginning! As always Halloween is kicking off our holiday season! Although there are a lot more events being held this year people are still being cautious and most events are being held outside. Christine Forster with My Big Day Events and Marketing along with Thompson Education Foundation created a way to celebrate Halloween in a safe and easy way with NoCo’s Greatest Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat Experience. It was a huge success for 2020 and they are hoping for another successful event at the end of the October!  I have asked Christine to answer a series of questions to help give some insight on the second year of this event! How long have you been working with TEF? MBD has been working with Thompson Education Foundation for a couple years now. Although Christine and Kim go way back. "We met 17 years ago volunteering for the Downtown Loveland Association." What was your creative process when creating the Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat Event last year? "The idea came about quickly and naturally, but when developing the concept, it was crucial to us that we evaluate who all may benefit from partnering with an event such as this, where might the drive-thru traffic be most appreciated, etc. We reached out to other entities to inform them of our concept and to invite others to join in to give families a safe Halloween."  The event must have been a success to do it again this year, what are the fundraising goals for 2021? "When we initially created this, we didn't have a fundraising goal. We wanted to cover expenses of course - but a safe trick-or-treating option for local families was our biggest goal. We were thrilled by the number of sponsors who supported the event last year and have already seen great response this year!" Is there a particular moment or memory from 2020’s event that stands out to you? "Being on the back end of management for the event, watching hundreds of tickets get snagged up in minutes was a real Ticketmaster moment. To know that we had 3,000 people attend the event and thousands more on the waiting list is our top memory for 2020."  Where is the event located this year and how will it be different from the 2020 event? "This year we are taking advantage of the generous access we have to the Thompson School District Administration building. This allows for plenty of space for booths, vendor parking, volunteer parking, regulated entrance/exit flow, and indoor facilities for our staff and volunteers. The event itself will be the same, with the exception of limitations by county and state. Last year we were limited to the number of people we could have 'gather' at an outdoor event, so our booths could only host 2 workers, and we had to limit volunteers and number of cars in attendance by timed interval." What is the biggest challenge that you are facing with putting this event together? "As with any outdoor event, one challenge can be weather. There is always a chance for snow at the end of October. This event will happen rain, shine, or snow. It will only cancel should there be an absolute blizzard. Also, as with any event right now, we are still dealing with a global pandemic. MBD has planned enough events during the pandemic to have plans and processes in place to offer guests, staff and volunteers a safe experience!"  The drive-thru trick-or-treat experience is just $5 per vehicle (no campers or busses). All guests will sign up for a 30 min window of time to arrive. All tickets will need to be purchased online in advance. Booths are available for businesses, non-profits and schools (and each booth comes with 1 free guaranteed entrance to the event). Thank you Christine for inventing such a unique Halloween experience!
 Masks are back and mandatory indoors beginning October 20, 2021 as issued by the Health Dept for Larimer County. With rising cases and full hospitals, it was only a matter of time before the announcement was made.  The new public health order, released Friday afternoon by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDPHE), calls on everyone aged 3 and up to wear face masks in all indoor public spaces starting at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, regardless of vaccination status. As reported by Denver 7 News: County health officials said Friday local hospital ICUs have been operating at or above 100% capacity for the past month. Currently, 40% of patients in the ICU have COVID-19 and 90% of those are unvaccinated. Their hope is that universal mask wearing will help slow transmission of the highly virulent delta variant until more people get vaccinated. “Larimer County hospitals are being overburdened and we cannot allow this to continue indefinitely,” said Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales in a prepared statement. “Our hospitals need relief so they can swiftly and adequately treat all urgent medical needs in our community. Universal mask-wearing is the next best prevention tool we have to reduce the strain on our hospitals.” Data from the Larimer County COVID-19 dashboard shows 35% of the county has yet to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The data also shows the county reported an average of 250+ cases per 100,000 people over the past month. LCDPHE officials said the public health order will remain in place until the county has met the following metrics for 21 consecutive days: 1. Less than 65 COVID-19 patients in Larimer County hospitals 2. ICU capacity at less than 90% of usual and customary levels 3. A 7-day case rate of less than 300 cases per 100,000 people. 4. A 7-day positivity rate of less than 10%. Larimer County will become the fifth Colorado county to reinstate mask mandates as cases of the novel virus continue to increase across the state due to the highly transmissible delta variant. read the entire health order HERE  What does this mean for your theater tickets or holiday party? If you are gathering indoors, you will need to wear a mask. This order is in effect until numbers go down. Social distnacing and sanitizing is still recommended. Recent research has also shown us recommendations on types of masks in order of effectiveness. Quality mask reminders Especially in higher risk situations, use the best-quality and best-fitting mask you can get. The highest quality masks are designed and tested to ensure they meet a standard. That means they perform at a consistent level to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The highest quality, in order, are:
Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Back by popular demand (and thanks to a global pandemic), My Big Day is supporting Thompson Education Foundation and the ond of a kind event we created in 2020 to offer families a safer way to trick-or-treat!  What you need to know: Saturday, October 30, 2021 Thompson School District Admin Building 10:00am - 2:30pm $5 per vehicle A socially distanced Halloween for families, with something for everyone. Picture a reverse parade! Kids can trick-or-treat safely from their car window. Families will slowly drive through a long series of Halloween scenes decorated by local businesses, schools and nonprofits. COVID safety measures will be in place. This is a fundraiser for Thompson Education Foundation. The event is only $5 per vehicle. Booth and Sponsor packages available. *This event will sell out quickly ***Tickets will be available on October 15th at 9am Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../nocos-greatest-drive-thru... BOOTHS AVAILABLE FOR PERFORMERS AND BUSINESSES! Hosted by: Thompson Education Foundation and My Big Day Marketing & Events  |
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We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
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