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Loveland's Oktoberfest 2014

8/7/2014

August 7, 2014 --Loveland, Colo

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit…….

Break out your lederhosen and dust off your polka shoes – it’s that time of year again! LOVELAND OKTOBERFEST!

This is one of NoCo’s largest FREE community events and it will be held at the Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson complex on Saturday, September 20, 2014. All the free fun will take place from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. The fun will continue throughout the evening when The Epilogues, Proverbial and Flobots take the stage at the Thunder Mountain Apitheater. (Ticket information posted below.)

As a proud sponsor, My Big Day Event Company is excited to announce that this year’s Oktoberfest is the largest one yet! Due to the larger venue and participants, a greater portion of the proceeds will benefit the efforts of Colorado Youth Outdoors, a unique non-profit in Northern Colorado that aims to connect kids and parents through hands-on outdoor experiences.

Seven breweries will have signature brews available – five of them from local establishments:
Samuel Adams
Crow Hop Brewery
Grimm Brothers
Loveland Aleworks
Verboten
Big Beaver

There will also be a number of food venders and musicians providing tastes and entertainment with a local flare. The Waido Experience, Dr. Doctor, and the Harvestmen are ready to rock your lederhosen off and will all be providing family fun entertainment throughout the afternoon. The event’s schedule can be found at http://lovelandoktoberfest.org/schedule/

Ticket information for the evening concert:
-Tickets for the concert start at $15 for students, $18 for presale tickets and $20 at the gate.
-Tickets include entry to all three performances.

Presale tickets can be purchased at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, all Loveland and Fort Collins King Soopers’ locations, the Loveland Visitor Center, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and online at www.lovelandoktoberfest.org.

We hope to see you there, enjoying all the fun and festive activities and partaking in some tasty brews! Don’t forget to plan ahead and remember how important that mornin’ after kloche is to cure your Oktoberfest hangover!

   “Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
   Der Gemütlichkeit.
   Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
   Der Gemütlichkeit.
   Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa”

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My Big Day, a Loveland based event company, is honored to be a sponsor of this year’s Oktoberfest.
For more information about My Big Day, visit http://www.mybigdaycompany.com
or call (970) 613-1455 or 303-886-3068.
Christine Kovacs Forster   [email protected]

For more information about the event, or to become a sponsor, contact:
Ingrid Bush [email protected]
Website: http://lovelandoktoberfest.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oktoberfestloveland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LovelandOfest

Fort Collins Caterer Recommendation: J Gumbo's

8/6/2014

by Carrie Stadtmueller

If you are planning an event with a Mardi Gras or NOLA flair, then look no further than J. Gumbo’s Cajun and Creole Restaurant to fulfill your culinary dreams!

This Fort Collins franchise, located in the Council Tree Shopping Center (by Super Target on Harmony Rd), offers some of the region’s best Cajun tastes – for in store dining and event catering. Managed by David Slocum, the Fort Collins J. Gumbo team works diligently to bring the most authentic Cajun and Creole flavors and traditional meals to their customers. They offer a variety of tasty favorites such as home-style Gumbo, spicy VooDoo Chicken, colorful BumbleBee Stew, and a crowd pleaser – honey cornbread. An added plus: their website offers nutritional values for each dish in addition to vegetarian AND gluten free options for customers to choose from.

My Big Day, LLC has had the privilege of working with Dave and his catering team at a large corporate event. Dave was easy going, flexible, and provided excellent service. He brought a team of hardworking and friendly servers. The event schedule had to be modified throughout the evening, and the J Gumbo's team rose to the occasion. Not only did they provide friendly service, the food was delicious and they offered many extras such as fruit and dessert with their Cajun cuisine!

For our fellow event planners, or corporate party coordinators, It's worth mentioning that J Gumbo's can cater a party from 3 to 300!

My Big Day friends and family members would also say it's worth mentioning that carry-out is a breeze and their pricing is AFFORDABLE!

J. Gumbo’s is a national chain, but you can reach our local establishment at (970) 672-8375. You can visit their website at www.jgumbos.com

-The My Big Day Event Planning Team

2014 Sloshball Photos Are Posted!

8/4/2014

Thank you to Michelle Badger Photography for the quick turn-around on photos from this year's Sloshball tournament!
Photos have been posted to the My Big Day website. And there are more to come!
Thanks to all who came out to play! We love your spirit!
-My Big Day

2014 Photos

Event Site Review: Pelican Lakes, Windsor CO

7/31/2014

The My Big Day team recently interviewed Taylor with Pelican Lakes and Water Valley, Windsor's event center, wedding site and golf course.

Whether you picture an indoor or outdoor reception Pelican Lakes can accommodate your dream. Looking for a beach wedding in the mountains? The two are hard to find, but there is a sandy beach and small island, suitable for wedding vows in front of your guests (up to 180 people).

While some brides look for venues offering a DIY option, Pelican Lakes truly is a full-service option for brides who don't want to worry about juggling multiple vendors and contracts. All catering, bar, tables, chairs, and service staff are offered with their event package. While you may pay a little more up front, a full-service event package helps make your day stress-free. As event planners, the My Big Day team appreciate brides who hire us when booking with Pelican Lakes, as we are able to focus on the larger details and pampering our clients vs. setting up tables, chairs, lines, etc.

For corporate, company, or family events, the Water Valley Banquet Room is flexible, and offers some of the best views in Northern Colorado!

Not only is the event space kept very clean, the decor is a mountain/rustic theme, which appeals to most Coloradoans.

For more information about events at Pelican Lakes or the Water Valley Banquet space in Windsor, CO, visit their website HERE.

My Big Day Events: 4th of July Umbrella Drill Team

7/4/2014

The My Big Day girls danced in the downtown Fort Collins 4th of July Parade.
Thanks to all who came out to support us!

And a special thanks to Sweet Pea Boutique, for our hand-made bow-ties!

4th of July Fun in Northern Colorado!

6/29/2014

You know we love a party, and Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, and Estes Park all have their own special way of celebrating Independence Day!

Whether you are in the mood for fireworks, live music, water-sports, or some good old fashioned family fun, Northern Colorado has something for everyone!

Here is My Big Day's compiled list of all the 4th of July happenings around town!

Loveland:

Loveland Liberty 5k Info: CLICK HERE

July 4th Festival at North Lake Park
2014 SCHEDULE of EVENTS:

The flag raising ceremony will take place at 10:00am by the Lone Tree School House. The American Legion will have the honors of raising the american flag for this 4th of July celebration.
Car Show - The northern Colorado chapter of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America will return this year with a car show of 25 vintage collector vehicles ranging from the 1920's - 1970's. The car show will be from approximately 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Performance by Rocky Mountain Cheer & Dance Company at Shelter #1 from 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Dance performance by Morris Dancers - Breathless in Berthoud from 3:45-4:45 p.m. at Shelter #1 in North Lake Park.
Drum performance by Djembe Jive, LLC will be from 5:15-6:00 p.m. at Shelter #1 in North Lake Park.
Loveland Concert Band will provide entertainment at the Norma and Lynn Hammond Amphitheater stage starting at 8:00 p.m. This 80+ member band will play many of Loveland's patriotic favorites culminating at the beginning of the fireworks show; set for 9:17 p.m.
Booths - Please see the table at the bottom of this page for the booth participants.
Fireworks Show - at 9:17 p.m. the show is set to begin over Lake Loveland. This year's show should be approximately 30 minutes in length, and will culminate with a finale of close to 500 shots.

Fort Collins

Firekracker 5K
7:30 a.m. July 4, City Park, 1500 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins
Twelfth annual running of the Ft. Collins Running Club’s FireKracker 5K, features a flat fast 5K course that runs through City Park and onto City streets before finishing at Sheldon Lake in City Park.
A kid’s fun run with ribbons for all finishers will be run immediately after the 5K. A great way to kick off your 4th of July.

July 4th Parade
10 a.m., on Mountain Avenue; begins at Jackson Avenue and ends at Howes Street; fcgov.com/july4th

Live Music
4:15-9:30 pm, City Park
Live music will be located on the South Side of the Hill at City Park at the corner of Sheldon and Mulberry.
4:15-5:15 pm: Colorado Swing Big Band
6:00-7:00 pm: Manabi Salsa Band
8:15-9:30 pm: Fort Collins Symphony

Fort Collins Fireworks
Approximately 9:35 pm, City Park

Windsor

4th of July 4-legged 5K Run/Walk - A race for you and your 4-legged friends! Bring the whole family and start out this year’s 4th of July with a 5K 4-legged Run/Walk at Boardwalk Park and Windsor Lake! Prizes /Awards! Pre-register for $15 online now or in person by July 3, 8:00 am at the Windsor Community Recreation Center. You can also register on the day of race beginning at 7:00 am at Boardwalk Park for $20 All ages welcome! All leashed dogs welcome! As a reminder – dogs and other pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in Windsor Lake on the swim beach. Register Now!

Town of Windsor Museum opens new exhibits, noon-4 p.m. July 4, 100 N. 5th St, Windsor; facebook.com/windsormuseum.

The Jurassicasters concert, 7-9:30 p.m. July 4, Boardwalk CommunityPark, 100 N. 5th St.; windsorchamber.net.

Greeley

Greeley Stampede
The 92nd Annual Greeley Independence Stampede will be June 26 - July 6, 2014. There are a wide variety of acts performing this summer, including Jake Owen, Billy Currington, Martina McBride and Big & Rich featuring Cowboy Troy!
Also be sure you don't miss the parades, rodeos, the carnival, and more fun activities that await at the 92nd Annual Greeley Independence Stampede!

Run 4 Greeley
Friday July 4th, 2014
5k & 1K Run/Walk, 7:15am
GREELEY, COLORADO 15th St and 10th Ave

Estes Park

Estes Park Go 4th Festival
On Friday July 4th, spend the afternoon enjoying hiking, bike riding, paddle boating, miniature golf or check out the Coolest Car Show. More than 100 "Steam -to-Electric" vehicles will be displayed at the new Estes Park Events Complex, located at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. Along with steam and electric cars, other street rods, stock cars, muscle cars, sports cars, vintage and classic cars will be on display.

At 7 p.m., the Estes Village Band tunes up for its annual patriotic concert featuring the works of John Philip Sousa and others. The concert is free to attend and will be held at the Performance Park Amphitheater, at the west end of downtown.

The Fireworks Show starts at 9:30pm over Lake Estes! You won't want to miss one of Colorado's most glorious fireworks displays! Find a grass spot at Stanley Park, along the Lake Estes Trail or on your favorite mountainside to join in this annual tradition of national pride.

My Big Day Wedding: Todd & Rebecca

6/27/2014

We are in love with love. And these two are clearly head over heels for each other!

Todd and Rebecca picked out a spot up at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, deep in Lory State Park. The rocks are red, the reservoir was full, and love was certainly in the air.

The wedding was one of the most personal and touching ceremonies we have every had the pleasure of witnessing. Todd and Rebecca were surrounded by loved ones, friends and family who came a long way, and a bit of luck as the sun was out for their entire ceremony, but thunderstorms were taking place all around them in neighboring areas.

My Big Day was honored to be selected as the wedding planners for this joyful occasion! Below are the other vendors who helped make this day truly amazing.

Ceremony: Lory State Park, Fort Collins CO
Reception: Club Tico, Fort Collins CO
DJ: Trebled Entertainment
Photography: 2M Photography
Bartenders: BeMixxed Bartending
Rentals: Front Range Event Rentals

Affordable Event Rentals Now Available from My Big Day!

6/24/2014

As an added value to our clients, we now offer affordable event rentals! All My Big Day clients have access to our large list of party rental supplies.
Prices are listed, Additional rentals are available if you don't see what you're looking for, just ask!

A special thanks to Michelle Badger Photography for capturing all of our rentals on camera!

CLICK HERE to view party supply rentals from My Big Day Events

Tips For Planning A Community Meeting

6/12/2014

Need assistance with your next company meeting or community event?
Contact My Big Day!

Christine Kovacs Forster, Owner/ Party Planner
My Big Day llc
Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
Email Us
Located in Loveland, CO

by Brielle Welch, My Big Day

Community meetings are held to bring a together a group of various viewpoints to discuss issues, ideas, and information. For these things to be shared in a timely fashion, and in a way that has a purpose, follow these tips:

Plan early- When guests know that an event is going to happen ahead of time, they are more likely to attend. This also gives much more time for you to plan and ensure things will go off without a hitch. Have a planning committee. Other people can assist in planning so you are not overwhelmed and they can have valuable insight and suggestions.

Set a goal- What is the purpose of the meeting? What are you hoping to accomplish? You should ask yourself these questions when developing the goal of the meeting. This will also help attendees stay on track with their discussion and problem solving.

Create an agenda- Community meetings tend to get off topic because there is no set plan. By creating and keeping to an agenda, there will be less off topic discussion and attendees will feel like they are there for a reason. It will also be easier to accomplish your goal this way.

Encourage participation- Community meetings need be all inclusive. You should invite adults, children, business people, elected officials, and everyone in between. Everyone has valuable ideas and the decisions made in their community will affect them; they should have a say.

How to increase participation- Your event should be publicized. How can people come if they do not know it is happening? Twitter is a great tool for this. Have community members follow your group on twitter so they can be updated 24/7. Other media, such as radio, newspaper, and television, are also good resources for publicity. Ask other people on the planning committee to bring a few guests. These people are likely to invite another guest and attendance keeps growing.

My Big Day Hosts It's LARGEST Easter Keg Hunt to Date!

4/23/2014

Six years ago we had no idea how popular this silly event for adults would be. What started as a fun way for adults to act like kids again has turned out to be an annual spectacle in downtown Fort Collins!

Christine Kovacs Forster started the Event/Marketing company, My Big Day, in 2006. Since then she has helped businesses with marketing plans, websites, social media, and events! Her clients range from couples wanting an anniversary get-away, surprise birthday parties, flash mobs, scavenger hunts, holiday parties, corporate meetings, company retreats, weddings, anniversaries.... and her own 'signature events.'

One of these signature events is the annual 'Easter Keg Hunt.' The Easter Keg Hunt is a public scavenger hunt for adults, held in Old Town Fort Collins. Teams register to play in groups of 6-9. Prior to the event they are given a team color and a list of 'tools' to bring, which will help them solve clues. Teams show off their Easter spirit with wild costumes on the day of the event.

At kick-off teams are given their first Easter egg, which contains their first clue to a business on the scavenger hunt route. Once they make it to that business, they are given another egg with another clue. Stops along the route include dares, challenges, and some drinking! The final clue leads teams to a restaurant where we toast the winning team and share stories.

In our 6th year hosting this event, we have hit a cap. Due to space limitations in restaurants in Old Town, we have grown the Easter Keg Hunt to capacity in Fort Collins. This year we had 125 participants and 15 teams. Not only did we hit capacity, we SOLD OUT in less than 24 hours.

As a result, My Big Day will be adding an Easter Keg Hunt to Downtown Loveland in 2015!

If you missed out on the fun this year, or simply want to see what this wild event is all about, check out this year's photos!

2014 Easter Keg Hunt Photos