Fort Collins | Loveland | Greeley | Windsor | Johnstown | Estes Park
Tour de Fat ~ Fort Collins
September 1, 2018
Time: 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: New Belgium Brewing Company
Website: newbelgium.com
It’s back! Tour de Fat, the greatest little show on earth, is about to embark on a six-city bonanza of bikes, beers and philanthropic fun.
Entering its 19th season, the Tour de Fat has raised more than $5 million dollars for local bike non-profits since its inception. This year combines many favorite past ensemble acts like Sedan Halen, The Handsome Little Devils, Daredevil Chicken, and KOLARS – plus new and emerging musical talent from around the country. It’s a celebration of great beer, good people, and humankind’s most wonderful invention – the bicycle!
Come celebrate self-propelled, two-wheel travel and dress up as your alter ego while raising money for your hometown cycling community!
Rist Canyon Mountain Festival ~ Fort Collins
September 8, 2018
Location: 11835 Rist Canyon Road, Bellvue
Website: festival.rcvfd.org
Rist Canyon Mountain Festival is the annual fundraiser for the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. This one-day event features live entertainment, silent auction, book & plant sales, kid’s activities, free admission, free parking, free ice cream and so much more!
Fortoberfest ~ Fort Collins
September 15, 2018
Location: Old Town
Website: downtownfortcollins.com
On Saturday, September 15th, celebrate the last outdoor music festival of the year at Fortoberfest in Old Town Square! With support from the Bohemian Foundation, the Downtown Business Association proudly presents this free and family friendly Fort Collins-style Oktoberfest celebration, which features a full day of live music on the Choice Organics stage, seasonal microbrews from Odell and High Country Beverage, wine from Wilbur’s Total Beverage and regional German-themed cuisine!
Thunder in the Rockies Bike Rally ~ Loveland
August 31 – September 3, 2018
Location: Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson
Website: thunderintherockies.com
Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson is proud to present the 2018 Thunder in the Rockies Bike Rally. The 14th annual Thunder in the Rockies Bike Rally is an action packed, four-day event happening over Labor Day weekend (August 31st – September 3rd).
Located in picturesque Loveland, Colorado, motorcycle enthusiasts and hardcore bikers from all over the country love this event! Start gearing up now to check it out. This year’s highlights include thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts, live music including local and national bands, competitions, 100+ vendors, and much, much more!
Pastels on 5th ~ Loveland
September 8, 2018
Location: Downtown – 4th & Lincoln
Website: pastelson5th.org
Pastels on 5th is a community-wide festival in which artists, businesses, and downtown Loveland come together to transform 5th Street into a spectacular sidewalk gallery. This is a free, family-friendly sidewalk chalk art event designed to highlight the thriving Loveland arts community.
The focal point of the festival is the artwork created right on the sidewalk by local and regional artists using brightly colored pastels. Each year, we have judges selecting their favorite works of art in our juried awards that include cash prizes for the winning artists. Additionally, community members get to participate by voting for their favorite works of art in our People’s Choice awards. Every year, we have professional, amateur, and student artists join us for this creative and fun day.
Pastels on 5th includes live music, food, an Artist Marketplace, and a children’s art area where kids can create their own sidewalk masterpieces!
Loveland Oktoberfest 2018 ~ Loveland
September 14-15, 2018
Location: The Farm Stead
Website: visitlovelandco.org
Grimm Brothers and The Loveland Big Thompson Kiwanis Club are proud to announce their partnership on Loveland Oktoberfest in 2018. Kiwanis has always been a big part of Grimm Brothers, and we’re excited they’ll be taking on a bigger role with Oktoberfest this year. The continued success of the event over the past few years has opened our eyes to its growth possibilities and the fact that we could finally use Oktoberfest to help give back to our community. Loveland Oktoberfest 2018 presented to you by Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and The Loveland Big Thompson Kiwanis Club will be located at 1015 S Lincoln Ave. This Location will not only allow more room for the event, and ample parking, but it’s also right outside of downtown Loveland making it more accessible to the public.
German heritage is always the theme of Loveland Oktoberfest, as we aim to make ours the most authentic Oktoberfest experience in Northern CO. The vendors will only be selling Oktoberfest related goods and most of them are German and handcraft everything themselves. Nothing says Oktoberfest in Loveland like The Farmer’s Daughter Oktoberfest Lager from Grimm Brothers, though the rest of Loveland will bring their A-game for sure! They have all been asked to bring their best festbier, and these guys never disappoint. The Loveland beer scene is pushing new boundaries every day for the great community in which we live and we’re all thrilled with the reception we’ve gotten from that community.
In addition to the German style beer, be prepared to wear your dirndl and lederhosen for the best-dressed contest, and hold those steins high for the stein-hoisting contest. CSU German Club will be there to talk about German heritage and what Oktoberfest is all about. Stump Tournament will take place on Friday and Saturday giving patrons a chance to play everyone’s favorite German drinking game with prizes for the winners. CSU’s Neue Polka Colorado will be back to play on Friday night followed up on Saturday by Denver’s Thirsty 5, Golden Brass, and last year’s crowd favorite Polka Folka, these bands are energetic and fun getting the crowd involved with singing and dancing.
“There will be something for everyone at Loveland Oktoberfest this year, with live music, food, games for kids and adults alike,” said Aaron Heaton of Grimm Brothers. “We’ve even got a face painting booth and a balloon artist for the little ones, so bring the whole family”.
Loveland Oktoberfest will be celebrated on Friday, September 14th from 4:00 – 9:00 PM and Saturday, September 15th from 12:00 – 9:00 PM at 1015 S Lincoln Ave Loveland, CO 80537. The event is free to attend and all ages are welcome.
2018 Potato Day ~ Greeley
September 8, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Centennial Village Museum
Website: greeleycalendar.com
Old time fun and historical activities celebrate the great and plentiful potato during the annual Potato Day celebration! The entire family will enjoy a full day of living history demonstrations, toe-tapping musical entertainment, tasty food and children’s activities. Sink your teeth into a baked potato with your choice of delicious toppings.
The event is a major fundraiser of the Friends of the Greeley Museums. Since 1987, the group has raised and donated nearly $400,000 to the City of Greeley Museums for educational programs and preservation projects. Admission to Potato Day is $7, for everyone ages 3 and older, and includes a baked potato. Additional snacks, beverages and food items are available for additional purchase. Learn more about the Friends of the Greeley Museums at friendsoftgm.org.
Party for the Poudre @ the River ~ Greeley
September 12, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Website: greeleycalendar.com
The event will include fancy hors-d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and live entertainment by The Briana Harris Collective. Event goers will also kick off the 25th Anniversary of the Poudre Trail and preview plans for the next 25 years. Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased in advance online at ucstars.showare.com/poudre or at the Union Colony Civic Center box office, or at the event. For ticket or program information, call 336-4044.
The Poudre River Trail Corridor, Poudre Learning Center, and Poudre Heritage Alliance are local non-profits that provide support activities related to the Poudre River.
2018 Civil War Weekend ~ Greeley
September 22-23, 2018
Location: Centennial Village Museum
Website: greeleycalendar.com
The cavalry comes to Centennial Village Museum during its annual Civil War Weekend event. This Civil War Living History event allows visitors to witness a day in the life of a Civil War soldier. Each day of the event features a 1 p.m. battle reenactment and drills. Costumed reenactors will have their tents set up on the southeastern corner of the facility and are living that weekend as they would have during the Civil War—many using historic wares true to the time period. Visitors are encouraged to visit and interact with soldiers in the encampment. The event also features blacksmith, chuckwagon cooking and print shop demonstrations.
Windsor Harvest Festival ~ Windsor-Severance
September 1-3, 2018
Website: www.windsorharvestfest.com
It’s a great weekend for a festival! Join us all Labor Day Weekend long for live music, hot air balloons, Northern Colorado’s largest parade and more! 6:30 – 8 a.m. Balloon Launch – Eastman Park 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coed Mud Volleyball Tournament – Diamond Valley Noon – 6 p.m. Windsor Museum Extended Hours, Boardwalk Park 2 -3 p.m. – Vintage Baseball Game, Boardwalk Park 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – All Town BBQ, $5 meal deal, concessions available, Boardwalk Park 5 – 9 p.m. – Beer Garden, presented by Windsor Rotary Club, Boardwalk Park 6 – 9 p.m. – Free Street Dance & Concert featuring Brown & Gray plus Sista Suz and the Pryde Band, Boardwalk Park 9:05 p.m. – Grand Marshall Presentation followed by Fireworks, Boardwalk Park.
Amazing Windsor Race ~ Windsor-Severance
September 15, 2018
Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Community Recreation Center
Website: windsorgov.com
Grab your teammate and race around Windsor to complete challenges, win prizes, and be the first to arrive at the final destination! Contestants will travel throughout Windsor by bike or foot, guided by clues that lead the teams to the next destination or to perform a Windsor-related challenge, which are sure to be memorable! Teams are progressively eliminated, and the team that arrives first in the final leg is awarded the grand prize! Space is limited; sign up early! Activity #315112
Oktoberfest ~ Windsor-Severance
September 22, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Boardwalk Park
Website: windsorgov.com
Embrace Windsor’s German heritage with fun music, great food, and of course great beer! All ages welcome. Must be 21+ to enjoy alcoholic beverages.
Mary Poppins ~ Johnstown-Milliken
September 6 – November 11, 2018
Website: coloradocandlelight.com
Everyone’s favorite, practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure. One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Artist in Residence ~ Johnstown-Milliken
September 15, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library
Website: librariesrock.org
Local artist Susan Coady will display some of the jewelry she has made and talk about her craft. Please join us!
Fall Fest ~ Johnstown-Milliken
September 22, 2018
Location: Downtown Johnstown
Website: jmchamber.com/event-3010941
Free Event | Car Show | Live Music | Food | Lots of Family Activities | Contests | Beer Garden & More!
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival ~ Estes Park
September 6-9, 2018
Website: visitestespark.com
For more than three decades, Estes Park has been the backdrop for one of the nation’s largest celebrations of the heritage, the sounds, the tastes, and the arts of the Scottish and Irish cultures.
Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, Estes Park’s Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival is the largest gathering of its kind between the Mississippi River and California, and traditionally hosts bands – from the marching kind to the rocking kind and everything in-between – hailing from Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and, of course, the United States.
With jousting knights, dancing girls, hoisting athletes and calling bagpipes, groups and families of all ages will catch the Celtic spirit at this festival – surrounded by the scenic peaks of Estes Park!
One of the weekend highlights is the free hour-long parade on Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park’s main street. Bagpipes, drummers, dancers, clans in tartan, Dogs of the British Isles, brass military bands and precision drill teams give a preview of what can be seen on the festival grounds.
Autumn Gold – A Festival of Bands, Brats ‘n Beer ~ Estes Park
September 22-23, 2018
Location: Downtown Estes Park, Bond Park
Website: visitestespark.com
Aspens are turning a golden hue. Elk bugles can be heard reverberating throughout the valley. It’s a perfect season for one of Estes Park’s late-autumn traditions when a series of bands herald Autumn Gold – a Festival of Bands, Brats & Beer!
Entrance is free to dance, listen to music and enjoy the festival. The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary will be offering mustard-smothered bratwursts, cold brews, soft drinks and more as talented local musicians and award-winning Colorado band play. Browse the vendor booths who will be offering corn on the cob, funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade, roasted almonds and desserts.
Bring the kids! Free family activities include face painting, corn bag toss, a bounce house and a classic car show.
The highlight of the Autumn Gold Festival is the popular raffle with the winner taking home the grand prize of $5,000. Additional prizes include a $2,500 runner-up prize and various other cash awards. Raffle tickets are $25 each.
Elk Fest ~ Estes Park
September 29-30, 2018
Location: Downtown Estes Park, Bond Park
Website: visitestespark.com
Elk Fest features bugling competitions, a Cabela’s archery range, Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s Elk Camp, seminars, elk-themed kids’ activities, live country, rock and bluegrass music, elk-inspired arts and crafts, Native American storytelling & music, a display of raptors, and self-guided elk tour maps. There will also be a variety of vendors offering memorable souvenirs of your time at Elk Fest. Food vendors will be on site as well offering plenty of choices! Stop into the “Wallowing Hole” craft beer garden on both Saturday and Sunday serving up delicious drinks. Kick off the weekend festivities by participating in the Rut Run 5k on Saturday; registration starts at 8:30am and the race begins at 9am. Live entertainment will light up the park Saturday with popular Colorado bands on stage! There is no admission fee to attend Elk Fest.
