Fall is here and the mountains have a lot to offer - beautiful fall colors, plenty of sunshine and great events and entertainment. If you have not booked your fall trip don't procrastinate any longer, check out the list of fun happenings around Vail to see what you do not want to miss.
Oktoberfest Sept 14-16
Oktoberfest is returning to Vail Village for another year of Bavarian inspired fun, featuring local Oktoberfest legend Helmut Fricker and the Rhinelanders Band. Besides cold beer and delicious bratwurst, the sunshine weekend has a full schedule of games and entertainment for the entire family. Enter the stein lifting competition during the weekend to test your arm strength and stamina. Competitors will hold FULL beer steins - out from their body at shoulder level. The last person standing will take home an Oktoberfest stein and token package. Even more fun is the keg bowling competition on Saturday and Sunday. Contestants have the chance to hurl a keg on wheels down the lane at a pyramid of empty kegs, and the champion of the day is crowned by total number of kegs knocked over. If the smell of freshly cooked brats is what brings you the festival don't miss the chance to enter the Klemen'r bratwurst eating contest and see how many Bavarian sausages can you eat in allotted time. Other festival traditions include costume contest, live music and kids zone.
The Colorado Grand Sept 14-15
You do not have to be an avid car enthusiast to enjoy this unique event. The Colorado Grand is an annual charity tour for 1960 and earlier sports and race cars of distinction. This year is the 30th anniversary for this remarkable event and an ultimate celebration of the success The Colorado Grand has had in helping many Colorado charities. Stop by Lionshead on Friday from 2:30 until 5:30 for the Finish Line celebration, where you will be able to see closely these amazing vehicles and meet their owners. Do not miss the Concours de Non Elegance event on Saturday morning 9am to 12pm.
The Taste of Vail Fall Wine and Food Classic Sept 21-22
The Fall Wine and Food Classic is returning to Vail for its second year and just like the famous spring event this Taste of Vail September extravaganza will showcase all that Vail has to offer in fall. The event will feature wines from the Southern Hemisphere and include more than 35 wineries, 30 guest chefs, restaurateurs and sommeliers from the Vail Valley. The busy schedule of events includes Berry Picker hike & brunch on Saturday, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and beauty of nature with a fall hike followed by a brunch featuring wine tastings and education with Southern Hemisphere wines. The taste of Vail Bike and Brunch is another option for Saturday morning. The event starts at 9 am participants will take a shuttle up to East Vail circle and cycle back into town to Lionshead Charter Sports. Enjoy the fall air and the beauty of autumn in the valley as you glide through Vail. The cycling ends at Lionshead at Charter Sports, with a guide to take you to Four Seasons/Remedy for an a la carte brunch. The culmination of the festival comes with the Fall Wine & Food Classic Grand Tasting Event at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Local Restaurants will be preparing spectacular tastings. Guests will enjoy a picnic-style event on the grass with south of the equator music while taking in the gorgeous Vail scenery and fall colors. The Grand Tasting features more than 25 wineries and 20 restaurants from the Vail Valley.
