Summer’s almost over, but the fun still abounds across the state

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Affordable Arts Festival

Artists across the nation eagerly sign up to sell their work at a deep discount at the Affordable Arts Festival, a renowned and unique event at Arapahoe Community College.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, but be warned that the most coveted work sells out early, and patrons line up before doors open. Tickets cost $12.

To learn about the festival and get to know the organizer and some of the artists, read our 2024 story here.

Evergreen Fine Arts Festival

The lake town of Evergreen is not just a great mountain escape close to Denver. It also inspires great art, and attracts other wonderful Colorado artists from around the state for its festival.

This juried fine art show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Buchanan Fields. The event is free, and also includes varied kids’ activities, live music and more.

At press time, fewer than 25 tickets were available for Saturday’s celebration of jazz and wine in Nederland. The fourth annual festival includes samples from 28 of Colorado's finest wineries, breweries, distilleries, and non-alcoholic artisans.

This year’s music lineup includes The Shape of Jazz, Robert Johnson and The Mark Diamond Trio, and the Chantil Dukart Duo.

Proceeds support Teens Inc. outdoor leadership programs.

Overland Expo

The Overland Expo returns to Loveland. It’s billed as the world’s largest trade show, education fair and community event for overlanding motorcyclists, RVers, campers and more.

Camping is available at the event, which takes over The Ranch complex Friday through Sunday. Day passes start at $32.

Pints in the Park

Louisville’s Community Park hosts the Pints in the Park festival on Saturday. The event includes craft tastings from Colorado breweries, wineries and distilleries, as well as live entertainment, artisan vendors and food.

Tour de Fat

Fort Collins’ favorite weekend is back. Saturday’s Tour de Fat is a daylong celebration of community, bikes and beer. The event starts with a pedal-powered and costume-heavy bicycle parade.

Then New Belgium hosts a day of music, games and more. Murder by Death is this year’s headliner, performing at 5 p.m.

Proceeds support local nonprofits, and has raised nearly $6 million for bike advocacy, education, and trails since kicking off in 1999.

Boulder Taco Fest

In addition to the namesake tacos from acclaimed local restaurants, Boulder Taco Fest on Saturday includes live music, authentic lucha libre wrestling, tequila and family activities.

Sixteen restaurants will showcase tacos and compete for prizes. The event opens with a 5K run to build up a titanic taco appetite. The Dirty Turkeys, DJ Digital Love Joint and 40oz to Freedom (a Sublime tribute band) will perform. GA and VIP tickets are available, starting at $39, and kids wristbands are free with a paying adult.

SnowyGrass

The 10th annual SnowyGrass Music Festival comes to Estes Park Friday through Sunday. This year’s headliners are Blue Canyon Boys on Friday, Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka on Saturday, and Slocan Ramblers on Sunday.

Each day also includes workshops and classes, as well as several other performances. On-site camping is available, with shuttle service to downtown Estes.

Breckenridge Hogfest

If you plan to visit Breckenridge this weekend, go hungry and thirsty.

A celebration of bacon and bourbon starts with a VIP pairing dinner on Friday, followed by a grand tasting on Saturday and a Sunday brunch.

VIP packages are available for sampling rare and premium bourbons from Pappy Van Winkle and William Larue. There also will be live music from Moonstone Quill at Main Street Station, and DJ DC at the Village of Breckenridge.

Several ticket options are available, ranging from $75 to $375.

Breckenridge Wine Classic

The 10th annual Breckenridge Wine Classic is also scheduled for this weekend, with more than a dozen experiences for wine lovers, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts starting Thursday with four ticketed wine dinners. The rest of the weekend includes hikes with winery founders and local celebrities, gourmet lunches crafted by top sommeliers, and special dinners at James Beard Award winner Matt Vawter’s restaurants.

Save the date: Craft Spirits Festival

Finally, set aside Oct. 3 to 5 for another trip to Breckenridge. The Still on the Hill Craft Spirits Festival is back. Saturday’s Grand Tasting is a highlight of the year for Colorado whiskey, gin, vodka and liqueur aficionados.

There also are other events all over Breckenridge Friday through Sunday, including pairing dinners, seminars and historic tours.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.