Head out across the state for Oktoberfest parties, an inaugural pizza festival, sheepdogs and tarantulas

By the Thirst Team

Welcome to our roundup of the best events across Colorado this month. Check out our September performing arts preview here, and read on for other happenings all over the state. For more, check out our events calendar.

THIS WEEK

Beaver Creek Oktoberfest Friday to Sunday

The annual fall celebration of Bavarian food and beer also promises Colorado’s largest drone show on Friday, and both German music and classic rock cover bands through the weekend. There also will be a kids’ zone, pretzel toss, hammering and fashion contests.

Keystone Oktoberfest Saturday

The Bavarian-inspired celebration returns to the beautiful mountain town, with German beer, brats and music. Stein-hoisting contests, chicken dances and polka lessons are scheduled. And Kinderfest will keep the kids hopping all day.

Break the Silence Festival in Fort Morgan Saturday

The Break The Silence Festival is an all-day music and suicide prevention awareness festival with guest speakers and community engagement around prevention of suicide.

There also is a memory wall full of loved ones who have lost their life to suicide, a live auction and local vendors from across Colorado.

Colorado Pizza Festival in Longmont Saturday

Pizza With a Purpose presents what they bill as Colorado’s first pizza festival, which will raise money for local hunger-relief nonprofits. At least 25 statewide pizzerias will showcase their pie. Local wineries, distilleries and breweries will pour drinks. The Motet Funk is Dead will headline the music stage.

Photo by Emily Sierra / provided by City Star Brewing

Flapjack Day in Berthoud Monday

Labor Day means free flapjacks, classic cars and live music in Berthoud. Flapjack Day started in 1948 in the northern Colorado town. City Star Brewing launched the current incarnation in 2015.

This year’s 1950s-themed event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, and includes a flight of breakfast-themed beers. At 1:30 p.m., ladies will compete to be Flapjack Queen by finishing five flapjacks first.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Sheepdog championships in Meeker Sept. 9 to 13

The Meeker Classic sheepherding competition draws national and international competitors.

Dogs are sent 600 yards to fetch sheep and bring them into a controlled area while working them quietly and safely through a set of obstacles. Handlers guide the dogs with a series of commands, demonstrating practical working skills for a farm or ranch.

The festival also includes a culinary and cultural lamb festival, art show, craft fair, dog agility contests, demonstrations and more.

Tomato Festival in Fort Lupton Sept. 11 and 12

Fort Lupton celebrates harvest season with a tomato festival and Trapper Days. The event opens Friday with a street dance and live music. Saturday events include a pancake breakfast, parade, live lucha libre wrestling and music, car show and petting zoo.

Frisco fall festival and art show Sept.11 and 12

Local and regional artists will showcase and sell a wide variety of work at the Arts at Altitude show and sale in Frisco on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday also brings the Frisco Fall Fest, with live music from Denver’s Thirsty 5 oompah band, food trucks, art projects, kids activities, food trucks and German beer.

OktoberWest in Steamboat Sept. 11 and 12

The Yampa Valley welcomes fall with the OktoberWest each year. In addition to the beer, there is an annual beef cook-off, lawn game competitions and a vendor market. Friday brings a downtown beer stroll, which raises money for the Young Professionals Network.

On Saturday, the beer garden opens at 2 p.m. (or 1 p.m. for VIPs). Games packages also are available for $250 for four teammates for all four games.

Highland Festival in Estes Park Sept. 11 to 13

The 50th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival (aka Scotfest) is the largest celebration of Scottish and Irish communities in North America.

The event includes live music on five stages, plus the international “tattoo,” a ceremonial performance of military music with more than 200 musicians from around the world.

Another highlight is the highland sports competition, drawing professional athletes for caber tossing, hammer throwing and other events. The canine herding, agility, disc-catching and freestyle contests also are popular, as are the guided whiskey tastings.

Potato Festival in Monte Vista Sept. 12

The San Luis Valley Potato Festival celebrates the Colorado spud harvest, with the 5K Tater Trot, craft and food vendors, guided agriculture tours, chef demonstrations, the mashed potato dunk tank and, of course, potatoes.

Non-alcoholic drinks festival in Denver Sept. 12

The Dry Hop Fest returns to the Phoenix in downtown Denver from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. More than 30 NA libations vendors will pour samples. There also will be food and a N/A product raffle.

The Phoenix is a sober community center with workout facilities and regular events.

Chili and beer festival in Superior Sept. 12

The 25th Superior Chili & Beer Fest comes to Superior Community Park from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Chili samples, family activities and live music from Erica Brown (one of Denver’s best voices and performers) and Mono Verde Collective are all free. Tickets are available for beer fest access, including unlimited samples from a variety of Colorado beer, cider, wine and spirits vendors.

Colorado Wine Walk in Denver Sept. 12

Blanchard Family Wines hosts another Colorado Wine Walk at Denver’s Dairy Block.

GA tickets include unlimited samples of a wide variety of Colorado wines, a commemorative wine glass, wine tote, opportunities for wine purchases, and conversations with winemakers.

Colorado Wine Week in Palisade Sept. 14 to 20

Grand Valley wineries and restaurants will host events all week to celebrate the Colorado wine industry, culminating in the Colorado Mountain Winefest on Saturday, Sept. 19.

There will be tastings, dinners, seminars and other community activities from Monday through Sunday. The Saturday festival was reimagined and will be more upscale and intimate this year. Learn more from our festival preview.

WanderFest in Golden Sept. 17 to 19

New Terrain Brewing hosts its 10th annual WanderFest in its giant backyard. The festival includes food trucks, a rare beer bar (plus three more bars) and live music from, Drunken Hearts, Other Brothers, DeadPhish Orchestra, Banshee Tree, Sqwerv and other bluegrass and jam bands.

Community arts fest in Boulder Sept. 19 and 20

Colorado-based people of color will present visual art, dance, food and music at the fifth annual Community Roots Art Festival at Boulder’s VisionQuest Brewery. The lineup includes 29 performers, 13 food vendors and 55 artist booths. Admission is free, but raffle tickets and a tote bag are available for suggested donations starting at $19.

Dead Man’s Brewfest in Colorado Springs Sept. 25

The Halloween season starts early this year with a wide variety of beer, liquor and wine at the Dead Man’s Brew Fest at Weidner Field, home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks professional soccer team. Tickets are available now, including VIP passes with food and an extra hour of tastings.

La Junta Tarantula Festival Sept. 25 and 26

The southeastern Colorado town of La Junta celebrates the fall migration of Oklahoma brown tarantulas with guided tours in the Comanche National Grassland, an educational pavilion, live art, food vendors, merchandise and a parade.

Mountain Harvest Festival in Paonia Sept. 25 to 27

The 25th annual Mountain Harvest Festival is a free celebration of Paonia-area growers, makers, performers, wineries and small businesses. Friday night opens with a downtown block party and art walk.

On Saturday and Sunday, Paonia Town Park hosts live music, food trucks and art vendors. There also will be a chili cook-off, heirloom pepper and tomato tasting, farmers market, art demonstrations and pie contest.

Colorado Highland Games in Sedalia Sept. 26 and 27

The 62nd annual Colorado Highland Games comes to the Denver Polo Club in Sedalia. This celebration of Scotland’s traditions, music, and history includes traditional Highland sports, pipe and drum competitions, dance performances, whisky tastings, haggis, clan information, a car show, dogs and Highland cows.

Smalltown Gathering in Salida Sept. 25 to 27

The former Campout for the Cause returned after a hiatus as the rebranded Smalltown Gathering. This three-day yoga and music festival returns to Salida, with performances by the California Honeydrops, Fruition, Moontricks, Lindsay Lou, Magoo, Daniel Rodriguez and at least 11 other acts.

Aspen FilmFest Sept. 29 to Oct. 4

Tickets are now on sale for the 47th Aspen Filmfest, showcasing thought-provoking and unique films from around the world.

The event opens Tuesday with “Cheyenne,” a documentary about women on the rodeo circuit, followed by a Q and A with director Taimi Arvidson. It closes Sunday with a Chilean animated adventure. The films in between include scripted features and documentaries about Carl Sagan, Billy Jean King, Jean-Michel Basquiat and bears.

Southwest Fresh Fest Oct. 3

Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose hosts the fifth annual Southwest Fresh Fest on Sept. 20. Attendees can sample fresh hop and seasonal beers from across the region. The event also includes live music, local food trucks, farm tours and games. This year’s performers include Jesse Meade and Mojo Birds.

Steamboat Springs Restaurant Week Oct. 3-10

Steamboat’s walkable, diverse and gourmet dining scene will be on full display. Participating restaurants will offer two specials: a curated chef’s choice signature dish or a hometown favorite or go‑to dish. One or both options will be available at most downtown restaurants.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in this events roundup, we will add them to our events calendar.