Inspiring Conversations with Erica Knowles and Meryl Stern of The Prairie Star

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Knowles and Meryl Stern.

Hi Erica and Meryl, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Erica – The Prairie Star is really rooted in family, legacy, and love. It’s located on our family’s farm in Northeast Colorado, which was homesteaded back in 1907. The original vision for the building came from my father, who was a talented builder and craftsman. He designed it as a place for our family to gather—a space filled with connection and warmth. Sadly, due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease, he never got to see the building completed.

Even so, we were determined to carry his vision forward. With some changes to the original plans and a new purpose in mind, we pushed ahead and created what is now a beautiful, welcoming venue for weddings, events, and community gatherings.

Meryl: And this place is especially meaningful to me—my husband and I got married right here on the hillside 42 years ago. So we truly understand how magical and special this land is.

We never really imagined ourselves owning an event center, but now that we’re here, we feel incredibly fortunate. It’s become a way to honor our roots and offer a rural gem of a space for others to create their own lasting memories.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening and running The Prairie Star has been both a rewarding and challenging journey. One of the biggest obstacles we’ve faced is simply the environment itself—Colorado’s eastern plains are beautiful but unforgiving. We like to say we’ve been taming the West in our own way. From harsh weather conditions to tough soil, creating usable outdoor spaces and landscaping the venue has taken a lot of time, patience, and persistence. Wind, drought, sudden storms—you name it, we’ve had to work around it.

Another major challenge has been getting the word out. We’re tucked away in a rural area, and while that’s part of the charm, it also means we’ve had to work extra hard to let people know we’re here and what we offer. Marketing a destination venue off the beaten path has taken creativity and consistency, especially to reach couples looking for something unique and intimate.

We’ve also learned how to work with a wide variety of clientele, from local families planning reunions to brides from out of state planning their dream wedding. Every client has a different vision, background, and set of expectations. It’s been a learning curve, but a valuable one—figuring out how to meet people where they are and make each event feel personal and meaningful.

At the end of the day, each challenge has shaped us and made the business stronger. We’re proud of what we’ve built and honored to share this space with others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At The Prairie Star, our work is really about creating meaningful experiences for people during some of the most important moments in their lives. We host weddings, celebrations, and community events, but more than that—we help people feel at home here. From the first tour to the final send-off, we’re hands-on every step of the way, making sure each detail reflects the couple or family we’re serving.

We manage everything from scheduling and coordinating with vendors to preparing the grounds and making sure the venue is spotless and welcoming. Because we’re a family-run operation, a lot of heart goes into every event. There’s no “corporate” feeling here—just real people making sure your day is beautiful and stress-free.

We also continue to invest time and care into the space itself—landscaping, decorating, updating amenities—so that it keeps evolving and becoming even more special. It’s more than just running a business; it’s about preserving a piece of family history while creating a place where others can make lifelong memories.

At the end of the day, our work is about connection—between families, between past and present, and between people and place. That’s what makes it all worth it.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting The Prairie Star was absolutely a leap of faith. The building wasn’t originally designed as an event space—it began as a family gathering place, something much more personal and intimate. So transforming it into a venue meant stepping into unknown territory. With the support and encouragement of our friends and family, we took that leap, trusting that others would see the beauty and potential we saw in it.

One of the biggest risks has been inviting the public into a space that’s so deeply personal. This land holds generations of family history and memories, and opening it up for weddings and events made us feel vulnerable at times. It’s a special kind of exposure—but also a beautiful opportunity. We’re trying to honor a legacy while helping other families and couples create lasting memories of their own here.

Of course, there’s also the financial risk. We’ve made a significant investment to bring this vision to life, and we continue to reinvest in the property—improving landscaping, adding features, and making the space even more welcoming for future guests. Every decision has been made with heart and long-term purpose.

What keeps us going is the incredible feedback we receive from our couples and guests. Hearing how much the space meant to them—how it felt peaceful, unique, or like “just the right place”—reassures us that the risk was worth it. Their stories have become part of ours, and that’s something really special.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prairiestarevents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprairiestar

Image Credits
Tessa Ringlein – R = T Photography
Morgan & Josh – enspirestudios