The Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, is kicking off its inaugural Garden Grapes & Hops party tonight at 5:30 p.m. with a flower pot auction, live music from Chris Daniels & the Kings and all-you-can-eat food and drink from 15 local restaurants, including Steuben's, Wynkoop Brewing Company, Bombay Clay Oven, Crepes 'n Crepes and The Cherry Cricket. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for kids; go to www.botanicgardens.org for more info.
On Saturday, June 13, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Incredible, Edible Gluten-Free Food Fair takes over the basement level of the El Jebel Shrine Center, 4625 West 50th Avenue, when more than 40 local and national food vendors and restaurants will be on hand hawking everything from gluten-free cakes and cookies to breads and flour mixes. For additional info, go to www.denverceliacs.org/newsletters/NL0905.pdf.
Hot dog inhalers from here, there and everywhere will go bun-to-bun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at Sam's Club, 7817 Park Meadows Drive, for a chance to compete in the original Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, where the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt will be awarded. Members and non-members of Sam's Club are encouraged to show up and watch as Denver finalist Marco Marquez no doubt bites off more than he can chew on his way to top dawg. Want to know more? Chew on this: www.nathansfamous.com.
