There are certain mysteries in life that I fear I will never unravel. Why do hot dogs come in packages of eight, yet the buns are in packs of six? Why are employees often described as “disgruntled,” yet they are never “gruntled”? What if the grassy knoll had been bare?
Lately I’ve been pondering why some people celebrate Oktoberfest in September, rather than October as one might expect. At least this is a question that has an answer. The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich on October 12, 1810, in celebration of Prince Ludwig’s marriage. It was so much fun the future king decided to make it an annual event, rescheduling it to September to coincide with an agricultural festival.
Now that we’ve settled that question, the next challenge is where to find the brats and beer this Oktoberfest season. Read on!
Oktoberfest - Beaver Creek Resort - Sept. 5 & 6
Enjoy Trachtenkappelle, an Austrian band; an alpenhorn contest, beer, food, and much more!
http://beavercreek.snow.com/info/summer/
evt.oktoberfest.asp
Oktoberfest - Frisco - Sept. 5 & 6
http://www.townoffrisco.com/events/oktoberfest
Longmont Oktoberfest - Sept. 11 to 13
www.bceproductions.com/longmont-oktoberfest
Vail Oktoberfest - Sept. 11 to 13 and 18 to 20
Two weekends full of live music, dancing, keg bowling, and brat-eating contests.
http://summer.vail.com/summer/activities-events/
signature-vail-events-oktoberfest.asp
Oktoberfest - Snowmass - Sept. 12
http://www.snowmassvillage.com/oktoberfest-
presented-by-becks
Oktoberfest - Parker - Sept. 12
Live music, a biergarten, Bavarian dancers & more.
www.parkerartscouncil.org/Multi_Cultural.html
Rocky Mtn. OktoberfestPlus
Woodland Park - Sept. 18 & 19
www.woodlandparkchamber.com/news/calendar.php
Breckenridge Oktoberfest - Sept. 18 to 20 www.gobreck.com
OktoberWest - Steamboat Springs - Sept. 18 to 20
http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/info/events/
sbcccalendarevent.oktober.west.asp.item.asp
Oktoberfest Denver - Sept. 18 to 20 and 25 to 27
This is the 40th anniversary of one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S., featuring accordions, beer, authentic cuisine, dachshund races, and even a 10K honoring David Hasselhoff. Don’t miss this one!
http://oktoberfestdenver.com
GoldenFest - Golden - Sept. 19
www.gcbrewery.com
Layton’s Oktoberfest - Colorado Springs - Sept. 19
A benefit for the SADS Foundation.
www.sads.org/index.php/Events/Octoberfest.html
Rapids Oktoberfest - Commerce City - Sept. 23
Celebrate pregame in the Oktoberfest Beer Hall.
www.coloradorapids.com
Greeley Oktoberfest - Sept. 25 & 26
Don’t miss the Brat Toss & Life-size Beer Pong.
www.greeleydowntown.com
Oktoberfest & Car Show - Brush - Sept. 25 & 26
Enjoy a street dance the 25th, and a car show on the 26th.
www.brushcolo.com
Oktoberfest - Aspen - Sept. 25 to 27
www.wienerstube.com/wienerstube_ew_002.htm
Oktoberfest - Fort Collins - Sept. 26
Polkas, Bavarian dancers, and keg rolling.
http://downtownfortcollins.com/dba.php/octoberfest
Autumn Gold: A Festival of Bands, Brats & Beer
Estes Park - Sept. 26 & 27 - 800-44-ESTES
http://estesparkcvb.com
Oktoberfest - Durango - Sept. 26 & 27
www.durango.com
Oktoberfest - Englewood - Oct. 1
http://www.englewoodgov.org
Granby Oktoberfest - Oct. 2 & 3
www.granbychamber.com
Oktoberfest - Telluride - Oct. 2 to 4
http://visittelluride.com
OctoberFest - Castle Pines - Oct. 3 www.castlepineschamber.com
Oktoberfest - Castle Rock - Oct. 3
www.downtowncastlerock.com
Oktoberfest - Grand Junction - Oct. 3
www.visitgrandjunction.com
Oktoberfest - Lamar - Oct. 3
www.lamarchamber.com
Oktoberfest on Main Street - La Veta - Oct. 3
www.lavetacucharachamber.com/events.php
Oktoberfest - Ouray - Oct. 3
www.ouraycolorado.com
Oktoberfest - Pagosa Springs - Oct. 3
www.pagosa-springs.com
Rails & Ales Oktoberfest - Alamosa - Oct. 3
www.riograndescenicrailroad.com
Octoberfest - Canon City - Oct. 3 & 4
www.royalgorgebridge.com/EventsCalendar.aspx
Oktoberfest Celebration - Carbondale - Oct. 10
www.carbondalegov.org
Oktoberfest Train - Georgetown
Oct. 17 & 18, and Oct. 24 & 25
www.georgetownlooprr.com