Colorado Oktoberfest Celebrations
Got a hankering for some German beer and bratwurst? Head to one of the state’s many Oktoberfest celebrations held in September and October.
I usually stop by the homespun festivities in Carbondale, in my neck of the woods, but I’ve also danced to the oom-pah bands in downtown Denver, whose annual events draw thousands.
Here’s a round-up of some Oktoberfest fun. Generally, entertainment is free; food and drink will cost you. Let me know in the comments section if I missed your favorite festival for raising a stein (or two).
Beaver Creek
September 1-2, 2007
Village Plaza
Lots of free music, plus a costume contest (pull out your Lederhosen!) and Alpenhorn-blowing contest for children and adults. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 970.845.9090.
Breckenridge
September 14-16, 2007
Main Street, 100 and 200 blocks
A Brewmaster’s Dinner kicks off the weekend festivities in high-alpine Breckenridge. A multi-course meal is paired with different Paulaner beers. Then the official keg is tapped at the Street Party on Saturday at 11 a.m. Live music with Those Austrian Guys, plus Schuchplattler dancers and inflatables for the kids. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 970.453.5055.
Carbondale
October 13, 2007
Downtown Main Street
Carbondale’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration features brats, bands and a Biergarten plus polka dancing, an antique show, street sale, yodeling and plenty of strudel. 970.704.4115
Denver
September 21-23, October 5-7, 2007
Larimer Street, between 20th and 22nd Streets
This celebration, now in its 38th year, has moved from its prior Larimer Square location to the Ballpark Neighborhood, so it can feature more entertainment, children’s activities and food booths plus a larger Biergarten. Oktoberfest kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 21, with the tapping of the first wooden keg. info@oktoberfestdenver.com
Ouray
October 6, 2007
Ouray Community Center, 320 6th Ave.
Dancing, music, food, Museum Quilt Raffle and 43rd annual Jeep Wrangler Raffle. 800.228.1876
Snowmass Village
September 8, 2007
Snowmass Village Mall
Biergartens, street performers, kids crafts, contests and more fill the afternoon with Teutonic cheer on the Snowmass Village Mall. Free concerts include performances of traditional German music by Steve Rock’s Tanzkapelle and more modern music by gifted singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 800.SNOWMASS
Vail
September 7-9 and September 14-16, 2007
Lionheads Mall & North Lot first weekend; Vail Village second weekend
Adult keg bowling, brat-eating contest, alpine-horn demonstrations, kids games and activities, a fun run and much more during the two weekends of Oktoberfest festivities in Vail. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 970.476.6797
September 25th, 2007 at 1:44 am
[...] Springs Oktoberfest by Kara Williams I was remiss in my earlier list of state-wide Oktoberfest celebrations. I neglected to mention one that’s in my [...]