It may only be August, but Oktoberfests are scheduled across the state for next month.
Get ready to pull on your lederhosen and raise your mugs to celebrate German beer, food and culture—if not the country’s sense of timing.
“Given the name, one would think that it would also be a chance to celebrate the great month of October,” says Reader’s Digest. “… What’s shocking, though, is that this festival’s namesake month barely gets to take part in the festivities.”
Oh well. October will have to be satisfied with Halloween. As for Oktoberfest, mark your September calendar for these celebrations:
Breckenridge: Buy a collectible stein, then use it to sample Breckenridge Brewery beers while taking in the stunning views of the Ten Mile Range. And if beer isn’t your thing, you can savor wine and cocktails, traditional German food and more. Sept. 15-17, Main Street.
Vail: What better place to celebrate Bavarian culture than in a town built to resemble Bavaria itself? Vail’s celebration includes: a “World Keg Bowling Championship,” a “Stein Hoisting Contest,” a “Bratwurst Eating Contest,” polka music and more. Sept. 8-10 and 15-17, Lionshead Village and Vail Village.
Steamboat Springs: Dubbed “OktoberWest,” this ski town’s celebration features “an anticipated 30 brewers,” and generally draws 1,000-1,500 attendees enjoying the suds and scenery. Sept. 16, Gondola Square.
Denver: No need to put miles on your car –just head downtown for Denver’s annual event featuring “Competitive Stein Hoisting,” live music, “Keg Bowling,” a costume contest and more. Oh, and don’t miss the weiners — er, dogs that is. Dachshunds will race each other in the “Long Dog Derby.” Sept. 22-24 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Downtown along Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd streets.
Greeley: Last year’s festival — named Octobrewfest — featured life-size beer pong, a pie-eating competition, an inflatable slide for kids, and, of course, plenty of beer. This year is bound to be equally entertaining for the whole family. Sept, 29-30. Lincoln Park.
Source: Trips to Discover