Mark Your Calendars for Grand County's Fall Festivals & Events
The long, glorious days of summer are dwindling, but that just means there's another season to enjoy in Grand County! It's no question we love summer, but we might love fall a little bit more. The chill in the air as the aspens and willows seem to change color overnight is a transformation that we look forward to every September. Cooler days make high-altitude adventures easy to enjoy. And weekend festivals and events don't stop just because school started! Take advantage of them as you enjoy this peaceful season of mild weather before winter sets in.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
PLEIN AIR @ ALITITUDE
Fraser Valley Art's Plein Air @ Altitude, is in full swing and ends its week of painting all the county has to offer with a festival at Rendezvous Event Center in Winter Park on Saturday, September 10th (10am-2pm).
WINTER PARK HALF MARATHON & 5K
Before you check out the Plein Air Festival, you can run the 12th Annual Winter Park Half Marathon & 5K, benefitting The Shining Stars Foundation, a local non-profit that serves children and families challenged with pediatric cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. The half marathon starts at 8am, and the 5K runners take off at 9am. It's a great way to enjoy the scenery, get in a good workout, and give to a great cause!
SEPTEMBER 16-18
The weekend of September 16-18 brings three events worth marking on the calendar: the 3rd Annual Artisan Oktoberfest and Hop Crawler, Grand Kids Fall Fest, and the Bert & Ernie Golf Tournament.
OKTOBERFEST: BREWERIES & ART
The Town of Fraser sponsors Oktoberfest, a weekend long event that highlights the valley's breweries and artists. Get together a group of friends, buy your tickets, and walk, ride, or bus to Fraser and Winter Park's five breweries: Big Trout Brewing, Camber Brewing Company, Fraser River Beer CO, Hideaway Park Brewery, and Viscous Cycle Brewing. Each stop will feature art from local artists. The event lasts all weekend, so enjoy the tour at the time that works best for you!
GRAND KIDS FALL WEEKEND
Grand Kids Learning Center, an early childhood center that has been serving our community for decades, also adds to the fun the third weekend of September. Check out their Fall Fest at Rendezvous Event Center on Saturday, September 17th from 12-5pm. Entrance is free to enjoy live music and the beautiful event center. Tickets can be purchased for the bounce houses, PLINKO, face painting, and more. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase as well. Or is golfing more your style? Grand Kids also sponsors the Bert & Ernie Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 18th. Sign up for the tournament here, and take advantage of one of the best golf courses in the state, Pole Creek Golf Club, during one of the best seasons of the year!
SEPTEMBER 23-24
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WINE FEST
Head up to Winter Park Resort to enjoy the fall colors while sipping unlimited samples from over 50 expertly selected wines at Rocky Mountain Wine Fest. The two-day festival has it all: a gondola ride, wine glass tasting seminar, views for days, and an opportunity to try a variety of reds, whites, and rosés from all over the country. The event will benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD).
OCTOBER 1st-2nd
UPSLOPE BACKCOUNTRY TAPROOM
Living the motto "Beer Tastes Better After an Adventure," the team at Upslope Brewing Company is planning its 7th Annual Backcountry Tap Room. It's just like it sounds--a beer hut at the end of a hike. Some say "earn your turns." In this case, your earning your drinks! Each year, Upslope debuts a new beer at its Backcountry Tap Room. This year is no exception: get a taste of their Palisade Peach Pale Ale, the result of a collaboration with Colorado Parks & Wildlife to celebrate CPW's 125th anniversary. Your ticket to the event will get you a ride up and down The Gondola at Winter Park Resort, a well-marked trail leading you about two miles to the tap room, and drink tickets to try some old favorites as well as the Palisade Peach Ale. One hundred percent of the profits directly benefit Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, so you can know you're giving back while hiking up and kicking back!
BAGS FOR BRAMMER: CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
The annual Bags for Brammer tournament helps support the Brammer Family Fund, a fund in memory of a vibrant member of our community who lost her battle with cancer. Two-person teams compete in this double-elimination event at the Fraser Sports Complex. Grab a partner, sign up, and come out for to throw some bags and support Grand County residents battling cancer.
Get it on the calendar!
We hope you find one (or more!) of these events to enjoy in the mountains this fall and hope to see you out and about!
Posted by Angela McDonough (Sandstrom) on
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