Deadwood, SD is known for its history and its gaming. Now it is also known for its dining. It didn’t take long for saloon and casino owners to realize that their patrons were not only thirsty; they were hungry, too. This little town of 1,548 boasts over 30 restaurants, many of them offering fine-dining menu items and high-end liquor and wine. Deadwood’s 6th annual Forks, Corks and Kegs event gives visitors a chance to sample the yummy eats and drinks that Deadwood has to offer.
So what should you know before you go?
- Come hungry! It’s a food event, and there will be a lot of it. A two-day event, Forks, Corks and Kegs offers several different dining and tasting events throughout each day. The dates for 2021 are April 9 (Friday) and April 10 (Saturday). There are only 1000 tickets, so don’t wait too long to reserve yours here.
- The event kicks off at the Deadwood Mountain Grand. There, you can register and pick up your event packet, Festival Pass, and list of participating eateries. You will also receive commemorative glassware, free Deadwood Trolley transportation anywhere within city limits, and, of course, your yummy culinary tours around Deadwood.
- Friday’s events start at 2pm in the Deadwood Mountain Grand’s Lobby. At 5pm, the “Wine Around Deadwood” tour starts. Participating locations will host a vineyard with a knowledgeable representative hosting the tasting. Event-goers will have the chance to sample each restaurant’s most popular wines, and ask the venue’s representative for advice on profiles and pairings. From 8pm-10pm, get your tastebuds ready for the “Appetizer Crawl.” Local chefs get to let their best work shine with delicious bite-sized tidbits, carefully paired with a wine or beer.
- Events on Saturday start at 9am, again at the Deadwood Mountain Grand. The first tour begins at 11am: the “Deadwood Dine-Around.” Get ready to loosen your belt on this one; there are so many mouth-watering options, it will be difficult to choose among them all! Local Deadwood chefs prepare samples of their favorite dishes, paired with complementary beverages. With an hour in between to get your second wind, get ready for the grand finale – the “Grand Tasting.” All tour roads lead back to the Deadwood Mountain Grand. Here, you will pick up your commemorative glassware, and then head on into the Mountain Grand Event Center. There you will find more culinary treasures to wow your tastebuds. Wineries, breweries, and specialty vendors offer their wares for you to sample to your heart’s content! There will also be music and light hors d’oeuvres to top off the enjoyability of the evening.
- It’s a 2-day event; do you really want to go home and come back? Hotels in Deadwood are abundant, and most offer reasonable rates. Two you may want to check into are the Gold Country Inn and the Deadwood Station Bunkhouse & Gambling Hall. Both offer great rates, dining, gaming, and offer wine and beer. They are both just minutes from Deadwood Main Street, so the Trolley offers services to both locations.
In conclusion, the Forks, Corks and Kegs event is a must-visit for the epicurean. It highlights everything delicious that Deadwood has to offer!