Autumn has arrived with a sense of impatience this year, with rainstorms bringing cooler temperatures, changing leaves and even high-elevation snow. Pumpkin spice products already line the shelves at grocery stores. While several fall celebrations have already occurred in the region the past few weeks, many more are just around the corner.
These community parties carry on an ancient tradition. From the Celtic Mabon festival to the Norwegian Haustblot to Central American sweating ceremonies, humans have celebrated changing seasons for centuries by gathering, sharing food and making things. Here is a summary of events in the Roaring Fork Valley and the broader Western Slope in the coming weeks.
Snowmass Village Oktoberfest, Sept. 27-28, Base Village, Snowmass
This brand new Oktoberfest celebration runs from noon to 8pm on Saturday and noon to 6pm on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional German costumes of lederhosen and dirndls. The Snowmass Mall and Village around the bottom of the ski area will be filled with traditional beer-hall tables hosting a variety of classic Oktoberfest traditions and foods. While beer will be limited to attendees 21 and up, all ages are welcome.
Fall Fest, Sept. 27-28, Elk Camp
From noon to 4:45pm, Aspen Snowmass marks its last weekend of summertime operations with family-friendly activities and live music at the top of the Elk Camp gondola. The events are free for children under 6 and the cost of a sightseeing ticket for older children and adults without season ski passes. There will be face-painting stations in addition to seasonal food and drink.
Mountain Harvest Festival, Sept. 26-28, Paonia
Across McClure Pass, the 25th annual Paonia Mountain Harvest Festival highlights arts, music, wine, cider and theater. The Paonia Public Library hosts a book sale on Friday and Saturday. Local musicians perform each afternoon. Both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the town park has a specific kid’s creative zone. This well-loved event celebrates creatives and agricultural artisans from the West Elks in addition to saying goodbye to summer.
Glenwood Caverns Octoberfest, Saturdays, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park hosts beer and music on four consecutive Saturdays. The park added a day after a successful run last year. In addition to normal park operations, the Caverns will have a variety of autumnal contests, German foods and souvenirs. The price of admission is a standard ticket up the gondola. Since the festival runs from 11am to 6pm, this is a great way to amplify a visit to the park.
Harvest Party, Saturday Oct. 4, Rock Bottom Ranch
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) location in Hooks has its annual autumnal celebration from 11am to 5pm. There will be two harvest sessions during the day for those who want to get into the dirt and help collect squash and other produce. The $15 per person tickets cover hayrides, crafts, dancing, apple pressing and pumpkin carving. Additional catered food and beverages will be available for purchase. Parking will not be available on site. ACES instead encourages attendees to bike or take shuttles from Emma or Basalt.
Applefest, Oct. 3-5, Cedaredge
There’s a sweet reward for making a trip over to Cedaredge. Like the Paonia celebration the weekend before, Applefest centers community, arts, food and more. On Friday morning, the festival launches with a golf tournament. A community bike ride takes place in the afternoon ahead of the Five Alarm Chili Cook-Off. Saturday starts with a five-kilometer race ahead of a day full of arts and crafts, games and live music, from 9:30am to 10pm. As of printing, Sunday Oct. 5 festivities are listed as tentative.
Potato Day, Oct. 4, Carbondale
A local classic, Potato Day never disappoints. Folks can start the day with the Ross Montessori Tater Trot run and a Rotary Club pancake breakfast ahead of the 10:30am parade. Games and live music will follow in Sopris Park until 3pm with the traditional community lunch served from 11:15am to 1:30pm. This year, (the 116th) organizers established the Potato Days Community Impact Fund. The inaugural recipient of funds raised is Seed Peace — Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers, founded to honor the legacy of Casey Piscura, a passionate regenerative farmer, educator and community builder who passed on last winter. Seed Peace helps those who carry on his mission — nurturing soil, community and spirit — by offering critical support in times of need.