Battle of the Ducks and Dr. Oz

Memorial Day weekend is possibly my most favorite 96 hours of the entire year. Besides my birthday (which technically lasts a whole week). But I digress: This weekend is comprised of the Boulder Creek Fest, the BolderBoulder, a national holiday and it's almost always the true beginning of summer weather.

Let's talk about the Creek Fest. And Rubber Ducks--Ernie knows what's up: rubber duckies make for great companions. But he has never seen anything like the Great Rubber Duck Race. Picture hundreds of fearless ducks, plunged into freezing cold, unforgiving rapids, fighting for the ultimate dream: to be crowned the fastest rubber ducky in Boulder (and maybe even Lafayette and Longmont). And bonus points for sponsoring your little dude to support EXPAND, which provides recreational activities for people with disabilities. If you're interested, join the masses on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Speaking of joining the masses (and Dr. Oz--but no Oprah??), who's gonna run the BolderBoulder with me? This is going to be my fourth year and I just can't get enough. Normally I don't get cheered on by thousands of onlookers and serenaded by local bands when I go for runs, so it's a pretty exhilarating experience. But the best part is the commemorative ceremony afterward to celebrate the country's bravest. I never expected to be so overwhelmed by a show of national pride. First of all, because I'm Canadian, so I'm more into Canadian pride. And second of all, because I don't get sentimental or mushy. I don't even cry during Grey's Anatomy. However, the BolderBoulder's version of Memorial Day strikes me as so real and unpretentious and healthy I can't help but get a little teary-eyed every year.

So if you're around this weekend, head downtown to shop and eat at the Creek Fest, float a ducky or two, and honor a few good men at the BolderBoulder.

--Stacy

Downtown Boulder Man Makes Cocktail in Speeding Jet Boat

So apparently I've really messed up my spring break plans this year. I decided to stay in Boulder and "work" while I should have been in New Zealand for the 42Below Cocktail World Cup. Duh.

Yeah, I didn't know it existed either until I heard Downtown's own Bitter Bar mixologist Mark Stoddard is on Team USA. Foiled again! So I did some research and while I can't glean much about the challenge specifics, from the pics on Facebook I can only assume that it is a collection of the 24 coolest people in the world mixing alcoholic beverages under extreme circumstances. There are jet boats and Irish men in strange hats, bungee-jumping excursions, passionfruit-foam topped libations and a lot of intoxicated Kiwis.

The challenges last through the 28th of March and Mark has already led his team to a victory in the "21st Century Punch" competition with "42 and Cloudy," a champagne punch served in a passionfruit. (Recipe here, if you dare.)

This isn't Mark's first time to compete and win, either...the man is a seasoned pro. He ran away with the Colorado Bartenders Guild's first prize and landed himself a place in the National Bartenders Guild competition.

So here's what I say: give the guy some support on his Twitter page and next week head over to Bitter Bar for a little sampling from our very own decorated Boulder mixologist before you can't get a reservation ever again.

--Stacy

From BolderBOULDER SportsEXHIBIT to Tee & Cakes Cupcake Cram, find it all in Downtown Boulder

Photo courtesy of Tee & Cakes

One of the best things about Downtown Boulder is all of the different activities happening at any given day that appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests. This Saturday and Sunday thousands of individuals with active and healthy lifestyles will head to the Pearl Street Mall for the Dick's Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER SportsExhibit. The two day event leads up to the 31st annual BolderBOULDER 10K road race happening on Memorial Day. The SportEXHIBIT is the only place participants can pick-up a packet or register over the weekend prior to Monday’s race.

Meanwhile, a local Downtown Boulder cupcake bakery will be hosting a not-to-be-missed event of their own. On Saturday (May 23) at 1 p.m., the World League of Competitive Eating is teaming up with Tee & Cakes (1932 14th St.) for the first ever CUPCAKE CRAM! World Champion Dale "Mouth of the South" Boone will take on four other local competitors in a quest to cram as many cupcakes down their mouths as possible in 10 minutes! Prizes range from a dozen cupcakes a month for a year to an enthusiastic high five!

Tee & Cakes is located along Downtown Boulder's Sweet Street (14th Street between Pearl and Walnut streets) nestled between Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop and Cefiore Italian Frozen Yogurt. Run by pastry chef Kim Boos and graphic designer Brian Wood, Tee & Cakes is a cupcake bakery, wedding and custom cake shop, coffee & espresso stop and retail apparel store. Cupcakes are baked fresh six days a week (closed Sundays). Although the cupcake menu changes daily, custom orders are always available. This delectable cupcake eatery received some excellent press coverage in January when CBS4 News ran a feature highlighting Tee and Cakes' wildly popular Chocolate Bacon Cupcake (available Saturdays and Mondays as well as by custom order)!

Whether you are an avid runner, sports enthusiast, cupcake lover or fan of competitive eating, Downtown Boulder is the place to be this holiday weekend! For more information on event happenings and businesses in Downtown Boulder visit BoulderDowntown.com. Downtown Boulder can also be found on Facebook and Twitter!

- Terri Takata-Smith