Fall Activities And Festivals In Colorado
Palisade peaches, Rocky Ford cantaloupe, and locally grown corn found in local grocery stores, cooler nights and warm days are all signs of fall in Colorado. Just about every fall weekend during September and October, various cities present festivals of one kind or another. Many include viewing the
mountainsides of color changing aspen - shades of red, orange, and yellow. Below are a few suggestions for adult and family fun-filled weekends from the Colorado Tourism Office.Fort Collins and New Belgium Brewers present, on September 4th, Tour de Fat. Costumed cyclists open each event with a parade. All are followed by beer, musical acts, and bike themed festivities. Find out more at www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.
The 34th Annual Colorado Balloon classic showcases some 100 hot air balloons in the skies above Colorado Springs on Labor Day weekend, September 4-6. Entertainment, food, and balloon rides highlight the event during the day as well as into the evening. Admission is free. Log on to www.balloonclassic.com for location and activities.
On two weekends, September, 18/19 and 25/26, join Cripple Creek’s 2 Mile High Club’s free aspen tours. Other activities include gold mine tours and shopping in a town famous for melodrama and now casinos. The fall color excursions begin at the Heritage Center and are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Elk Fest in Estes Park, October 2-3, allows visitors to listen to elks’ mating calls during the rutting season. Visitors learn more about elk and how to safely view them in the wild. During Elk Fest, participate in bugling competitions or attend educational areas, seminars, and live music. Watch a Mountain Man Rendezvous, hear American Indian storytelling and music, see a display of raptors, and join guided elk-viewing tours. For more information go to www.estesnet.com, click on Events and choose Elk Fest.
Denver’s Great American Beer Festival happens September 16-18. Many breweries serve samples to festival attendees. Discover more at www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com
September 17-19 enjoy the largest “Oktoberfest” of the Rocky Mountains in Breckenridge. At the 16th annual Oktoberfest see fall foliage, taste German cuisine, collect steins, and sample German beer from Paulaner Bier. If this festival is anything like the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, you’ll be in for a fun time.
If you have time to travel across the mountains, attend Palisade’s yearly wine festival September 16-19. Featured is an array of Colorado wines. Many of the ninety plus Front Range wineries purchase Palisade grapes. This past growing season’s cold temperatures affected many vineyards so wines may come at a premium price.
Each year Pueblo celebrates the harvest of Mira Sol Chilies at the Chile and Frijoles Festival, September 24-26. Attendees learn about the area’s agriculture, taste the home-grown chilies and pinto beans, while viewing the talents of local artisans and crafters.
Anderson Farm’s Fall Festival is for the whole family, at 6728 CR 3 ¼, Erie, September 25 thru October 31st, includes a pumpkin patch accessed via a hay ride. Then you choose from 26 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Also participate in a petting zoo and corn maze. Find a map at http://www.andersonfarms.com/map.php.
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